Sunscreen may prevent tanning to some degree, but it’s still possible to get a slight tan. There is no such thing as a “safe tan.”

Dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen every single day — and for good reason. Wearing a chemical- or physical-based sunscreen may help prevent the sun’s rays from causing photoaging and skin cancer.

Learn more about how sunscreen protects your skin, including its limitations, as well as other factors to consider about the sun and your skin health.

It may still be possible to get a slight tan, even if you do wear sunscreen. However, no amount of tanning is considered safe.

There are two kinds of sunscreen: chemical and physical.

Chemical-based sunscreen

Popular chemical-based sunscreens work by absorbing ultraviolet (UV) rays and altering them before they have a chance to cause damage. Examples of chemical-based sunscreens include oxybenzone and octisalate.

Physical-based sunscreen

Physical-based versions, on the other hand, reflect and scatter UV rays away from your skin. Zinc and titanium oxides are two examples of blocking agents used in physical sunscreen. These ingredients were recently designated as GRASE, or generally recognized as safe and effective, by the Food the Drug Administration (FDA).

UV rays

Perhaps more important than choosing between chemical and physical sunscreens is looking for one that is broad-spectrum or protects against the two damaging types of UV rays: ultraviolet (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.

You may also consider wearing water-resistant sunscreen, especially when doing certain activities that get you wet from either water or perspiration (sweat). This helps keep the product from dissolving off your skin and leaving it exposed to UV damage.

How tanning works

It’s important to remember that sunscreen acts as a filter. It can’t prevent your skin’s exposure to the sun 100%. So, you can still tan at some level.

In the short term, your skin responds to sun exposure by becoming inflamed. Our bodies react to UV exposure by releasing melanin, causing the tan. If continued UV exposure occurs, then the inflammation increases, leading to the burn.

Tanned skin can still get burned, and there is no such thing as a “base tan” to prevent burning.

Long-term effects of UV exposure include cancer and premature photoaging. Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with the right SPF can help minimize this type of damage.

Wearing sun protection factor (SPF) 30 sunscreen may reduce your risk of melanoma skin cancers by up to 50%, as well as squamous cell carcinoma, a non-melanoma skin cancer, by 40%.

A broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are longer and can cause skin damage, including wrinkles. UVB rays consist of shorter wavelengths that can cause burns and are believed to cause most skin cancers.

Wearing sunscreen protects against direct UV exposure incurred during outdoor activities and protects your skin from day-to-day exposure. This includes driving, walking to your place of work or a class, or going to the park.

Left unprotected, even seemingly small amounts of sun exposure can add up over time. At a minimum, you should wear a moisturizer with SPF on your face, neck, and chest every single day.

Each sunscreen contains an SPF. The ideal SPF depends on your exposure level to the sun. Everyday sunscreens may contain a lower SPF, but direct exposure to the sun requires a higher SPF.

It’s first important to understand what SPF numbers mean. They refer to the time it would take for your skin to burn without wearing sunscreen, rather than offering a specific level of protection.

For example, an SPF of 30 means your skin could take 30 times longer to burn than it would if it were left unprotected. This is only true, though, if you apply it correctly in the right amount.

SPF also means that a certain percentage of skin-aging UVB rays are still allowed to penetrate the skin. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 3% of UVB rays can enter your skin with SPF 30, and 2% with SPF 50. This is also how you can still get tan while wearing sunscreen.

For the best protection, it’s recommended that you choose a water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day.

If you’re going to be in direct sunlight for extended periods of time, such as when swimming or playing sports, you may want to use a higher SPF, such as SPF 50 or SPF 100, and reapply it frequently.

There are some cases where a higher SPF may be needed, such as if you have a history of skin cancer, albinism, or immune disorders that make you burn easily.

You can also talk with a dermatologist about the exact SPF you should be using. They may even recommend adjusting SPF for certain times of the year, as well as your location. Higher altitudes can put you at a greater risk of UV exposure, as can locations closer to the equator.

It’s important to see a dermatologist every year for a skin check. You may need to see them more often if you have a recent history of skin cancer or have frequently tanned in the past.

See a dermatologist right away if you have an unusual skin lesion. Any moles or bumps that show signs of growth, changes in color, bleeding, or itching may warrant a biopsy. The sooner a dermatologist detects skin cancer, the better the treatment outcome.

Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer. Tanning — with or without sunscreen — can increase your risk. Early detection may decrease the risk of death.

Sunscreen doesn’t fully protect your skin against UV rays, so sunscreen will not fully prevent tanning either.

This makes other protective measures such as hats and clothing important additions to your overall sun safety plan, as well as reapplying your sunscreen at least every 2 hours.

No amount of tanning is considered “safe.” The more you tan outdoors or indoors, the higher at risk you may be for developing skin cancer and other skin health concerns. Experts recommend that you wear SPF 30 sunscreen every day.

If you still want a tanned appearance but without the danger of unprotected sun exposure, you may consider trying sunless tanning or bronzing products.

Yes — sunscreen may decrease the amount of vitamin D you might absorb naturally from the sun’s rays. However, instead of tanning, the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) recommends getting vitamin D from your diet. Fish, egg yolks, fortified juices, and milk are all good sources.

If you’re concerned that you aren’t getting enough vitamin D in your diet, consider talking with a healthcare professional about possible supplementation.

Wearing sunscreen can prevent some of the skin inflammation that leads to tanning, but this shouldn’t be your main concern when it comes to UV rays.

Wearing it every day is essential to protecting your skin from burns, signs of aging, and cancer. Be sure to reapply every 2 hours and after sweating and swimming.

You can also take other preventive measures, like using protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses. Avoiding peak sunlight hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. may also help minimize exposure.

Tanning beds are not safe alternatives to sunbathing and should be avoided.