Of course, we should mention that, especially in countries like Greece, where we have summer almost all year round, it is good to wear sunscreen ALL YEAR ROUND! The ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun can cause burns, premature skin aging, cancer, etc!

The first EVER sunscreen was invented in 1932 in Australia by chemist Milton Blake! Although it is a SUPER NEW INVENTION, there were methods of sun protection in various cultures since ancient times - for example, in Ancient Egypt, they used rice bran, jasmine, and lupine. 

40 years after the invention of sunscreen, in 1974, the "Sun Protection Factor" or the well-known SPF came into play!

MYTH: When a sunscreen has, let's say, a protection factor of 30, it does NOT mean that we need to reapply it every 30 minutes!

THE TRUTH: When we say, for example, that a sunscreen has a protection factor of 15, we mean that from the moment you apply it, it will take fifteen times longer for your skin to turn red compared to if you were NOT wearing sunscreen! If, for example, it takes you 5 minutes to burn when you are under the sun, wearing SPF 15 will take 75 minutes to burn! 

Of course, don't take these things fully at face value because sunscreens are tested in controlled laboratories! In nature, there are other factors that can make radiation much more dangerous!

So, since SPF 50 is "stronger" than SPF 30, why aren't ALL sunscreens made with the best possible protection factor? Why would someone want to buy SPF 15 and not fully protect themselves by getting an SPF 50+?

Firstly, the higher the protection factor of a sunscreen, the more expensive and greasier it is. Also, because many of us think that SPF 50+ is super protective, we don't reapply it as often as we should (as we would if we bought one with SPF 30), so we end up not being as protected! That's why sunscreens come with various SPFs because when you have a product with a lower protection factor, you might prefer its formula and remember to reapply it more easily!

DO SUNSCREENS HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE?

Well, some of them YES, they do! However, it's not like milk that will sour and send you running to the bathroom if it expires! If a sunscreen surpasses its expiration date, it doesn't become dangerous for the skin; it just stops being as effective as it was before it "expired"!

BONUS FACT

When we are exposed (YES, I SAID "EXPOSED") to the sun, our skin produces vitamin D. It's super good because it helps our bones, teeth, and muscles! You will continue to get your vitamin D even if you wear your sunscreen, so no worries! (Unless, of course, you are not using sunscreen correctly and are applying MUCH MORE than needed - everything in moderation!)

That's all, have great trips! (and hang in there if you stay in the concrete jungle, remember we need sunscreen there too)