Sun's Out, Fun's Out: 6 Amazing Sunscreen Facts to Brighten Your Day

1. Sunscreen’s War Hero Origins

Before fighting UV rays with the ferocity of a sunscreen-wielding war hero, little did Benjamin Green know that he was inventing the grandparent of all beach essentials — picture the war-beaten tough grandpa, sitting on a beach, slathering sunscreen on their coconut-scented grandkids: Benjamin Green created an early sunscreen, "red vet pet," in 1944 to protect soldiers during World War II, forming the base for the first Coppertone suntan cream. But guess who got there first? Swiss student Franz Greiter, who invented an effective sunscreen called Gletscher Crème (Glacier Cream) in 1938 after his own sunburn mishap on a mountain, winning the ultimate sunscreen battle by bringing his product to market under the brand Piz Buin in 1946, which still thrives today.
Source => nytimes.com

2. SPF Values: Sunburn Protection, not Duration

Slathering on sunscreen like you're preparing for a bake sale with your epidermis might not guarantee you a tan-free afternoon: SPF values don't tell you how long you can bask in the sun but rather the amount of UV radiation required to sunburn protected vs. unprotected skin, with higher values indicating better sunburn protection – but beware, factors like location, time, skin type, and the consistency of your sunscreen regime can still throw shade on your anti-sunburn crusade!
Source => fda.gov

Did you know that taking a bath in red wine won't give you sunburn resistance, but drinking it might provide a slight defense? Discover the science behind this intriguing fun fact!

=> Fun Facts about Sunburns

3. Zinc Oxide: From Art to Sun Protection

Before sunscreen became everyone's go-to beach buddy, it was busy painting the town white: Zinc oxide, a key ingredient of sun protection products, was actually first utilized as a white pigment in the world of art and printmaking, with its sun-blocking superpowers only coming to light in the 19th century.
Source => goodhousekeeping.com

4. Beware of Sunscreen Zombies

Beware of the sunscreen zombies, lurking and seeking to feast on your lack of SPF security: Expired sunscreen not only fails to provide ample protection from the vicious sunrays, but it can also harm your precious skin! Dermatologists urge us to replace our loyal sun-fighting companions every year, or more frequently if they’ve been left at hot and steamy beach parties for too long. Time to freshen up your sunscreen stash!
Source => betterhealth.vic.gov.au

5. Native American Natural Sunscreen Methods

Before sunscreen became a (con)temporary art form at the beach, with people painting sunblock stripes on their faces like warpaint, Native Americans had their own line of natural products: They used the chalky coating of Aspen tree bark, boasting a low but reapplicable SPF of 5, and sunflower oil and pine needles to shield their skin from sun damage!
Source => avasol.com

6. Sunscreen: A Soldier's Beach Buddy

Long before SPF became our song of the summer, soldiers in World War II were breaking a sweat and protecting their buns from burns with this Beach Boys-approved essential: Invented in 1932, sunscreen became a crucial item in life rafts and tanks during WWII, over six years before it gained popularity stateside. With a staggering 100,000 bottles being ordered annually, SPF 30 reigns supreme, and last year saw 90% of orders pour in for lotions and 10% for sprays, while April and May became the sun-(screen)-salt-and-sea favorite shopping months.
Source => qualitylogoproducts.com