Sun protection is essential for slowing skin aging and preventing skin cancers. But does applying sunscreen mean forgoing a tan? That’s what we propose to explore.
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Is it possible to tan while wearing sunscreen?
Summary
Published February 17, 2022,
updated on August 29, 2025,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
5 min read
The key takeaway.
No sunscreen blocks 100% of UV radiation, which explains why tanning remains possible even with protection.
The level of protection provided by a sunscreen product depends on its SPF, on the amount applied (in practice, most users apply less than required), and on whether it offers broad-spectrum coverage.
A regular and adequate application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen helps limit sunburn and skin aging, while allowing the skin to tan gradually.
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How do sunscreens work?
The tan is a skin defense response against UV rays. When exposed to sunlight, the skin produces melanin, a pigment that absorbs some UV and limits DNA damage in skin cells. This protective mechanism gradually darkens the skin. However, it does not entirely eliminate sun-related risks, including sunburn, accelerated skin aging, and increased risk of skin cancers, which is why it’s important to use a sunscreen.
Sunscreens work by filtering or reflecting UV rays before they can damage the cells of the epidermis. They contain organic filters (octyl triazone, iscotrizinol, ensulizole...) and/or mineral filters (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide). The effectiveness of sun protection is quantified by the sun protection factor (SPF), which measures the product’s ability to block erythemal UVB rays that cause sunburn. However, this filtration is not complete, as shown in the table below.
| FPS | Percentage of erythemal UV radiation blocked |
|---|---|
| FPS 2 | 50% |
| FPS 15 | 93,3% |
| FPS 20 | 95% |
| FPS 30 | 96,7% |
| FPS 50 | 98% |
| FPS 80 | 98,75% |
| FPS 100 | 99% |
Amount of erythemal UV blocked according to SPF.
Source: SILVA DOS REIS V. M. & al. Sun protection factor: meaning and controversies. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia (2011).
Does sunscreen inhibit tanning?
No, sunscreen does not block tanning.
Indeed, no sunscreen blocks 100% of ultraviolet rays: even an SPF 50+ allows a small fraction of UV through, enough to activate melanin production and thus tanning. Moreover, in practice, the amount of sunscreen applied is often less than that used in laboratory tests. This lowers the actual level of protection and further increases the share of UV reaching the skin. Thus, tanning still occurs despite sunscreen use, but in a more gradual and controlled way, which limits sunburns and associated skin damage.
A research team compared two UV exposure scenarios: two weeks of sunbathing on vacation with sunscreen, and ten sessions in a tanning bed (where you receive about 150 J/cm²). To do this, they used numerical models that accounted for the intensity of natural and artificial UV radiation, the time spent exposed, and the properties of three types of sunscreen. In their analysis, the researchers tested three major families of sunscreen productss: Type A, which primarily filters UVB and barely blocks UVA, offering limited protection (SPF < 30); Type B, combining UVB protection with partial UVA coverage; and Type C, considered the most advanced, providing protection across the entire UV spectrum.
The results show that, contrary to what one might think, spending a sunny vacation with sunscreen does not necessarily mean being less exposed than in a tanning booth. Indeed, it all depends on three parameters: the UV coverage provided by the sunscreen (protection against UVB only or broad-spectrum protection), the SPF rating and the amount applied (the study reminding that SPF values are calculated for an application of 2 mg/cm² of skin). As illustrated in the figure below, the study shows that these three parameters are decisive to ensure that a two-week stay in the sun does not result in greater UV exposure than a series of ten tanning booth sessions.
Cumulative UV dose at the end of a two-week sun vacation using different sunscreen products applied at thicknesses of 0.5 mg/cm2 (black blocks), 1 mg/cm2 (gray blocks), and 2 mg/cm2 (white blocks). For comparison, a series of 10 UV booth sessions typically corresponds to a cumulative dose of 150 J/cm2 (indicated by the dashed line).
Source: HERZOG B. & al. Suntanning with sunscreens: A comparison with sunbed tanning. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, Photomedicine (2015).
Sources
SILVA DOS REIS V. M. & al. Sun protection factor: meaning and controversies. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia (2011).
KUMAR N. & al. Sunscreening agents: A review. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (2013).
HERZOG B. & al. Suntanning with sunscreens: A comparison with sunbed tanning. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, Photomedicine (2015).
MISHRA A. Know your sunscreen. International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research (2024).
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