Why Do I Get Freckles Even With Sunscreen?

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You might notice that just after a few days of sunshine in summer, you have more freckles appearing across your skin.

This might be surprising, especially if you have been wearing sunscreen.

Sunscreen should protect your skin from the sun, which in turn should reduce melanin production, thereby preventing skin darkening.

However, this isn’t always the case.

Why do you get freckles even with sunscreen?

There are several reasons why you may still develop freckles despite using sunscreen. It‘s possible that you didn’t use a strong enough sunscreen or spent too much time in the sun, making the sunscreen ineffective.

If you notice more freckles appearing on your skin and you aren’t sure why your sunscreen isn’t working, keep reading to find out why this might be happening and what you can do about it.

Why Do Freckles Appear?

Freckles appear when your skin has been prompted to produce melanin, which is the pigment that gives your skin a darker color when you tan.

If one spot produces too much melanin, or there is a build-up of melanin, a freckle will appear.

Freckles happen to appear more in summer because you are likely exposed to more sun in the warmer months, so your skin is prompted to produce more melanin.

However, it is essential to note that not everyone is genetically predisposed to develop freckles, and individuals with lighter hair are more likely to do so.

Reasons Why You Develop Freckles With Sunscreen

You might be quite confused about why you keep noticing freckles popping up, even though you are using sunscreen when outdoors, but there are a few reasons this could be happening.

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Here are some of the reasons why you might develop freckles even though you wear sunscreen:

Not High Enough SPF

One of the likely reasons why you might develop freckles even when wearing sunscreen is that the sunscreen you are using is not strong enough.

Different skin types have varying resistance to UV rays, and some can get away with using an SPF 30 or similar, while others require a stronger SPF 50 for better protection.

It’s possible that you are using a sunscreen that is not strong enough for your skin type, allowing UV rays to penetrate your skin and cause a build-up of melanin in certain areas, which can lead to freckles.

Try to use a higher SPF when going out in the sun again and see if this reduces the number of freckles that appear afterward. You may also want to pair your sunscreen with SPF tanning lotions for extra protection.

Genetically Predisposed

Some skin types are genetically predisposed to freckles and tend to develop them easily.

The general rule is that people with lighter hair tend to develop freckles more easily, and even brief exposure to the sun can lead to freckles.

If you have dark skin and do not already have freckles, it is very unlikely that you will develop any in the sun.

However, if you have had freckles throughout your life, then it is likely that even small exposure to the sun will lead to freckles developing, even if you are wearing sunscreen.

Too Much Time In The Sun

Sunscreen does have a time limit, and applying SPF 50 in the morning does not guarantee protection throughout the day.

You need to reapply sunscreen throughout the day to ensure your skin remains protected.

You may be developing freckles because your sunscreen is less effective after prolonged sun exposure, and your skin is more susceptible to UV rays, which can cause an increase in melanin production in certain areas.

No SPF In Skincare

Many of us are guilty of only applying sunscreen when we plan to spend long periods in the sun, but this is not enough.

You need to provide your skin with as much protection as possible throughout the day.

The best way to achieve this is to incorporate an SPF into your skincare routine. This could be by purchasing a moisturizer with built-in SPF, sunscreen that can be applied before makeup, or SPF setting spray for easy reapplication that won’t ruin your makeup.

You might think that you are giving your skin adequate protection when spending a long time in the sun, but you may not be providing enough protection for all the other times during the day when you are exposed to the sun, even for short periods.

Walking to the car, sitting by the window, or even driving, can expose your skin to UV rays, and with a certain skin type, this is more than enough for freckles to develop.

How To Prevent Freckles From Appearing

The best way to prevent freckles from appearing is to up your sunscreen game and make sure your skin is as protected as possible.

Here are some tips on what to do:

Use Strong Sunscreen

The first thing you can try to do is wear very strong sunscreen when spending time outdoors. An SPF50+which is broad-spectrum is the best option.

It is also a good idea to use water-resistant sunscreen, to ensure it does not wash off while you are swimming or sweating.

You will need to apply the sunscreen every 2 hours to ensure it offers full protection throughout the day.

Wear Protective Clothing

In addition to using sunscreen, protective clothing can also do a great job of preventing UV rays from reaching your skin and, therefore, reducing the production of freckles.

Long-sleeved clothing is a good option, but on a hot day, a wide-brimmed hat should provide good protection for your face and neck from the sun, helping to prevent freckles from developing.

Ensure that the hat is made from UV-protective material and does not have any gaps or holes that could allow UV rays to pass through.

Avoid The Sun At Certain Times

The sun is strongest at certain times of the day, and it is best to avoid the sun when it is at its strongest, as it is more likely to cause damage at this time and lead to sunburn and melanin production, which can result in freckles.

The sun is generally at its strongest between 10 am and 3 pm, so spending time outdoors before or after this time period reduces the chances of developing freckles.

Wear Sunscreen Daily

Make an effort to include sunscreen in your daily routine. There are some great daily moisturizers that include SPF in their formula, allowing you to use one product for multiple purposes.

If you prefer not to use a moisturizer with built-in SPF, consider looking for a lightweight sunscreen that can be applied underneath makeup or other skincare products.

This will help you avoid sunburn and damage when going about your daily routine, especially in the times when you would least expect it.

Use Fake Tanners

You might want to try tanning outdoors in the sun, but if your skin type typically develops freckles, you may end up with more freckles than a tan.

Spending time in the sun is also damaging to your skin, and there are safer ways to develop a tan without putting your skin through sun damage.

You can choose to use a self-tanner at home or visit a salon for a spray tan. Both of these contain DHA, which reacts with the outer layer of your skin to develop a darker color and create a fake tan.

You do not need to spend any time in the sun, and you have quite a bit of control over the color your skin develops, too, without any of the freckles.

Why Do I Get Freckles With Sunscreen?

There are multiple reasons why you might still develop freckles despite wearing sunscreen, but it mostly depends on your skin type and your likelihood of developing freckles.

The best way to avoid it is to use a stronger sunscreen, reapply it often, wear protective clothing, avoid the sun when it is at its strongest, and incorporate a daily sunscreen product into your skincare routine.

Freckles appear when the skin is prompted to produce more melanin, which happens when exposed to UV rays, so preventing UV rays from reaching your skin is the only way to avoid freckles from developing.

Why Do I Get Freckles Even With Sunscreen?

Why Do Freckles Appear?