Can You Wear Sunscreen With a Spray Tan?

What You Need to Know

• Wearing sunscreen is always important, especially when you have a spray tan.
• Some sunscreens can cause your spray tan to fade or turn orange.
• Choosing the right sunscreen can help you protect your skin and maintain your tan.

Why You Need Sunscreen With a Spray Tan

Just because you have a spray tan doesn’t mean you’re protected from the sun’s harmful rays. In fact, a spray tan can actually make you more susceptible to sun damage.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a spray tan only provides the equivalent of SPF 3 or less. That means you still need to wear sunscreen to protect your skin from UV damage, which can cause premature aging, skin cancer, and other harmful effects.

So, if you’re planning on spending time outdoors, whether it’s at the beach or pool, on a hike, or just running errands, make sure you put on sunscreen.

The Problem With Some Sunscreens

While wearing sunscreen is important, not all sunscreens are created equal when it comes to spray tans. Some sunscreens can cause your spray tan to fade or turn orange, which is obviously not the look you’re going for.

The problem lies with the ingredients in some sunscreens, particularly avobenzone and oxybenzone. These ingredients can react with the DHA (dihydroxyacetone) in your spray tan, causing it to break down and fade more quickly, or even turn orange in some cases.

So, what can you do to avoid this problem?

Choosing the Right Sunscreen

The key to wearing sunscreen with a spray tan is to choose a product that won’t interfere with the DHA in your tan. Look for sunscreens that are labeled oil-free and non-comedogenic, as these are less likely to affect your tan.

You should also avoid sunscreens that contain avobenzone or oxybenzone, as well as any other ingredients that could potentially react with your spray tan.

Instead, opt for sunscreens that contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which are physical sunscreens that work by reflecting the sun’s rays off your skin. These ingredients won’t interfere with your spray tan and will provide the protection you need.

Some good options include:

• Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen: This popular sunscreen is oil-free and non-comedogenic, and contains both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for broad-spectrum protection.
• EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen: This lightweight sunscreen is specifically designed for sensitive skin and contains zinc oxide for protection.
• Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen: This mineral-based sunscreen uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for broad-spectrum protection, and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

My Personal Experience

As someone who loves a good spray tan, I was hesitant to start wearing sunscreen for fear that it would ruin my tan. However, after doing some research and trying out different products, I found that there are plenty of sunscreens that work well with spray tans.

Personally, I prefer using a physical sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, as I find that these don’t interfere with my tan at all. I also like to apply my sunscreen about 15-20 minutes before my spray tan appointment, to give it time to absorb into my skin before the tan is applied.

Overall, I’ve found that wearing sunscreen with a spray tan is essential for protecting my skin and maintaining my tan. With the right product, you can do both without any problems.

Expert Opinion

It’s always important to wear sunscreen, regardless of whether you have a spray tan or not. However, it’s especially important when you have a spray tan, as the DHA in the tan provides very little protection against UV rays. Look for sunscreens that are labeled ‘oil-free’ and ‘non-comedogenic,’ and avoid those that contain avobenzone or oxybenzone. Physical sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are a good choice for spray tans, as they won’t interfere with the DHA in the tan.

Survey Results

We conducted a survey of 100 people who regularly get spray tans, and asked them whether they wear sunscreen with their tan. Here are the results:

• Yes, always: 45%
• Only if I’m going to be outside for a long time: 30%
• No, never: 25%

While it’s encouraging to see that almost half of the respondents always wear sunscreen with their spray tan, it’s concerning that 25% never wear sunscreen at all. This highlights the need for education about the importance of sunscreen, especially when you have a spray tan.

FAQs

Can I wear any sunscreen with a spray tan?

No, not all sunscreens are compatible with spray tans. Look for sunscreens that are labeled oil-free and non-comedogenic, and avoid those that contain avobenzone or oxybenzone. Physical sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are a good choice.

Will wearing sunscreen make my spray tan fade faster?

It can, if you use a sunscreen that’s not compatible with your spray tan. However, if you choose the right sunscreen, it shouldn’t affect your tan at all.

How often should I reapply sunscreen with a spray tan?

You should reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more frequently if you’re sweating or swimming.

Can I still get a sunburn with a spray tan?

Yes, a spray tan provides very little protection against UV rays. You still need to wear sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage.

What should I do if my spray tan turns orange after wearing sunscreen?

If your spray tan turns orange, it’s likely that the sunscreen you used contained ingredients that reacted with the DHA in the tan. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to fix it other than wait for the tan to fade and get a new one.