Can You Still Tan with Sunscreen?
August 06, 2026
By: Lauren Sindel
You know you should be wearing SPF daily but you still want to look sunkissed...so truth be told, can you still tan with sunscreen?
The short answer is yes, you can still tan with sunscreen but that’s not really a good thing. What’s more, there are safer ways to tan and better ways to get the protection your skin needs to stay healthy and looking youthful.
Ahead, we’ll show you how sunscreen affects tanning, the safest way to enjoy the sun, and how to keep your skin looking radiant all summer long and beyond.
Does Sunscreen Prevent Tanning?
Sunscreen does not completely prevent tanning. It reduces the amount of UV radiation reaching your skin, but it does not block 100% of it. That means you may still develop a tan while wearing SPF but with significantly less risk of painful sunburn, premature aging, and long-term skin damage.
How SPF Affects Tanning
When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it naturally produces melanin as a defense mechanism. Melanin is the pigment responsible for giving your skin a darker color after sun exposure. Because sunscreen still allows a small amount of UV exposure, your skin may continue producing melanin meaning you can still develop a tan.
The biggest difference is how your skin is affected:
- Without sunscreen: Your skin absorbs more UV radiation, increasing the risk of sunburn, premature aging, pigmentation, and long-term skin damage.
- With sunscreen: Your skin receives less UV exposure, helping reduce damage while allowing a more gradual tan to develop.
A healthy glow should come from healthy skin not from repeated UV damage.
Is There a Safe Way to Tan?
The safest way to achieve a bronzed glow is to avoid intentional UV tanning and protect your skin from excessive sun exposure. A natural tan is your skin’s response to UV damage, so there is no completely risk-free way to tan from sunlight. However, you can reduce your risk while spending time outdoors by practicing smarter sun habits.
How to Tan Safely
If you want a healthy-looking summer glow, here’s how.
1. Always Wear Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen
Apply SPF before going outdoors and reapply regularly, especially after swimming, sweating, or towel drying. Look for SPF 30 or higher and broad-spectrum protection.
A sunscreen like Truly Beauty’s Solar Baby SPF 45 Invisible Sunscreen Oil helps protect skin while leaving behind a radiant, hydrated finish. Perfect for beach days, vacations, and everyday skincare. Plus, it provides UVA + UVB protection.
2. Avoid Peak UV Hours
The sun’s UV rays are strongest during the middle of the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Limiting your time in direct sunlight during these hours can help reduce your risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage while still allowing you to enjoy the outdoors.
If you plan to spend time outside, try to seek shade whenever possible, especially during peak sun hours. You can also protect your skin by wearing lightweight, protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses. If you’re spending the day at the beach or pool, take regular breaks indoors or under an umbrella, and remember to reapply your sunscreen every two hours, or more often if you're swimming or sweating.
3. Consider Sunless Tanning Options
If you want a deeper bronze without UV exposure, sunless tanning products are your best bet. Self-tanning lotions, gradual tanning moisturizers, and spray tans can all help you achieve a sun-kissed glow without exposing your skin to harmful UV rays.
For a customizable glow, try Truly Beauty's Sun Drops. Simply mix a few drops into your favorite moisturizer or body lotion to build a natural-looking tan at your own pace. It's an easy way to achieve a radiant, streak-free bronze while keeping your skin protected from unnecessary sun damage.
Read next: How to Self Tan
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Tan With Sunscreen On?
Yes. Sunscreen does not completely block UV rays, so you can still tan. However, it reduces UV exposure and helps protect your skin.
Does SPF 50 Stop Tanning?
No. SPF 50 does not completely prevent tanning. Compared to SPF 20 or SPF 30, it blocks more UVB rays, so your tan may develop more slowly while providing greater protection against sunburn and sun damage.
Is Tanning With Sunscreen Safer Than Tanning Without It?
Yes. Wearing sunscreen reduces your risk of sunburn and UV-related skin damage. Since no sunscreen can block 100% of UV rays, you still put your skin at risk by sunbathing.
How Long Does it Take to Tan with Sunscreen?
There's no exact timeline, but wearing sunscreen usually means it takes longer to tan than without SPF. Your skin type, UV levels, and how long you're in the sun all affect how quickly a tan develops.
The Best Sunscreen For A Healthy Summer Glow
Solar Baby SPF 45 Invisible
If you want protection without sacrificing that dewy, glowing skin look, choose a sunscreen that feels good enough to use every day.
Truly Beauty’s Solar Baby SPF 45 Invisible Sunscreen Oil is designed for people who want sun protection with a lightweight, glow-enhancing finish. It provides broad-spectrum protection and brightening with a blend of vitamin C and bakuchiol. Plus, it leaves you smelling like creamy coconut and juicy pineapple.
Instead of leaving a heavy white cast, sunscreen oils can help skin look smoother and more radiant while protecting against UV exposure.
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