Do You Need Sunscreen In The Shade?

There you are . . . sitting in the shade, enjoying the outdoors in what you THINK is not direct sunlight.

Then, suddenly, you see and feel your skin going from rosy to ROASTED. 

You got sunburned. 

*somebody cue the oatmeal bath*

This story has played out for so many of us. Whether we’re fooled by an overcast afternoon or a wide umbrella, the sun’s UVA and UVB rays can still find their way to us. 

But seriously, how!?! You are in THE SHADE, so how is this even possible? Well, friends, we’re here to answer this question and more.

Okay, so let’s get into it . . . Do you need sunscreen in the shade?

YES. You abso-fucking-loutely need sunscreen in the shade. 

You can get sunburned in the shade, even if it’s not as quickly or easily as when you’re sunbathing in your bikini at high noon. 

The thing is, you even need to wear sunscreen while you’re inside or driving, because though you can't get sunburned by UVB rays that are blocked by windows, the UVA rays can still cause skin damage. 

And, it’s not all about preventing sunburn. It’s also about preventing wrinkles, discoloration, and even skin cancers. (BIG NOPE!)

So, you should incorporate a good sunscreen into all parts of your skincare routine, no matter where you’re going or what you’re doing.  

So, why can you still get sunburned in the shade?

Yes, you can still get sunburned in the shade. The sun’s rays reflect off of surfaces around you like sidewalks, sand, snow, and water! Water, in particular, is a BIG one for magnifying those UV rays. 

Not only are reflective surfaces a problem, but, guys, you know the sun moves right?

The position of the sun changes throughout the day, so unless you plan on moving that umbrella every five minutes, Rihanna, you're gonna need some more protection to avoid getting burned.

Also, you can totally get sunburned through shade if the coverage just isn’t that protective. A tree canopy still has holes and not every awning can provide 100% UV sun protection. Even clouds can move and still let light through. 

So, yeah. You can definitely get sunburned in the shade and it isn’t just some fluke. It can happen to anyone. And, for all you ladies out there with freckles, moles, light skin, light hair, or blue or green eyes . . . you have even worse odds of making it out unscathed.

How To Prevent Sunburns in The Shade?

 Break out your brimmed hats. 

A wide-brimmed hat will give you an extra layer of UV protection and shade. You could go for a vibey straw or wool sun hat, or even a standard baseball cap will help shield your face. 

Cover exposed skin with protective, UPF clothing.

There are plenty of totally chic, yet still protective clothing options out there that will make you look hot without getting your skin hot (at least in the figurative sense.) UPF clothes create another barrier from those nasty sun rays. 

Don’t forget your sunnies. 

We LOVE a good pair of sunglasses. You should be wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes and eyelids. After all, you don’t want to create premature wrinkles around your eyes. And even more, you don’t want to literally worsen your vision from sun damage to your eyes. Keep those sunglasses on!!!

Get you some BOUGIE DRIVING GLOVES. 

Driving gloves are a must. Yeah, we know you’ve probably not seen many people wearing them, but EVERYONE should have a pair of BOUGIE DRIVING GLOVES. 

Did, y’all know that more skin cancers occur on the left side of the body than the right? Coincidence???? Uh, no way. 

Driving gloves will keep your skin safe from those sneaky UVA rays that don’t give you a sunburn, but DEF give you a false sense of security. 

Wearing driving gloves will protect you from skin cancers, as well as help prevent wrinkles, sunspots, and discoloration. Basically, they’re the fountain of youth for your hands. You’re welcome. 

If the sun is high in the sky, get the fuck out of there. 

When the sun is at its peak, get the fuck inside. Avoid scheduling outdoor activities for that time, because you don’t need that exposure. Head to the beach in the morning, and go to that new outdoor mall after dinner. It’s not worth it to go midday!! 

Apply sunscreen everywhere, all the time. 

Everywhere. All the time. We’re even talking on your eyelids, ladies!! Sunscreen is the best way to protect your skin, and there is a perfect sunscreen for every part of the body and every skin type. 

Once you put it on, don’t forget to reapply! Set a timer on your phone to make sure you don’t miss a SPF sesh. And, if you’re already freaking about ruining your make-up, we get it and we’ve got you covered, babes. Here’s our cheat sheet for re-applying sunscreen without fucking up your makeup.

Oh, and make sure the sunscreen is more than broad spectrum 50+ SPF, we’re not doing any tanning around here anyway.

Don’t get burned again. Not by your ex, and definitely not by the sun. 

Apply sunscreen, layer up those UPF clothes, pull on those BOUGIE DRIVING GLOVES, and get in the shade. Stay protected, and your skin will stay beautiful! 

For more beauty tips, check out our blog! And, for more products that’ll help you level up your skincare and SELF-care, go to our shop. It’s time for a preventive beauty shopping spree!!!