Not all sunscreen is created equal.
I learned this the hard way when one mineral sunscreen gave me an allergic reaction. But it goes beyond that: my beach SPF slides off during training runs; what works at my desk doesn't hold up during a marathon race day.
Guys need options, and as a company that focuses on curated options, we stopped reading marketing copy and started doing real research. Then we started testing products.
We've published this guide:
Read the Full Product Guide →
But, we also found a lot of things we've long believed about SPF were flat wrong. So let's kill the five myths men believe about sunscreen (and explain what SPF actually means—because it's not about time).
Myth 1: SPF 100 Is Better Than SPF 30
Walk down any drugstore sunscreen aisle and you'll see it: SPF 50, SPF 70, SPF 100. The numbers keep climbing, and so do the prices. The implication is clear... higher number, better protection. It's intuitive. It's also wrong.
First, a quick science lesson: SPF measures UVB protection only—the rays that cause sunburn. It says nothing about UVA rays, which penetrate deeper and cause aging and skin cancer. That's why you need a sunscreen labeled "Broad Spectrum," which means it blocks both UVA and UVB. (Good news: all four sunscreens we carry are Broad Spectrum.)
The Reality: You're paying triple for a 1-2% difference.
SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays. SPF 50 blocks 98%. SPF 100 blocks 99%. That's it. Diminishing returns don't justify the markup.
The FDA has long contended that SPF higher than 50 is "inherently misleading". Spoiler: SPF 100 applied once is worse than SPF 30 reapplied every two hours.
What This Means:
I tested SPF 30 for three months at my desk. Layered it under beard oil and cologne. Never pilled, never made me shiny by noon. For most situations—commutes, office days, quick errands—SPF 30 does the job.
Beach days? Marathon race days? Extended outdoor exposure where reapplication isn't always convenient? SPF 50 makes sense. But SPF 100 is a marketing gimmick, not a performance upgrade.
Myth 2: "Reef-Safe" Means Something
In 2018, Hawaii made headlines by banning sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. These are two chemical UV filters that lab studies linked to coral bleaching. The beauty industry responded by slapping "reef-safe" labels on everything. Problem solved, right?
The Reality: There's no regulated definition of "reef-safe."
The FDA doesn't regulate the term. Neither does the EPA. Brands can call a sunscreen "reef-safe" even if it contains other chemical ingredients with similar environmental concerns. It's marketing, not science.
The only ingredients proven not to harm coral reefs? Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which is what's found in mineral sunscreens. Everything else is a gamble.
What This Means:
If you care about reef protection, look for mineral-only formulas. Skip anything labeled "reef-safe" that still lists chemical UV filters. The ocean doesn't care about your good intentions.
Myth 3: Sunscreen Causes Cancer
In 2019, the FDA published a study that sent the internet into a panic. Researchers applied sunscreen to participants under normal-use conditions and detected chemical UV filters in their bloodstreams within hours. Wellness influencers ran with it. "Sunscreen is poison." "Big Pharma is hiding the truth." The fear spread fast.
The Reality: "Detectable" doesn't mean "dangerous."
The FDA explicitly stated that detection does not mean these ingredients are unsafe. They continue to recommend daily sunscreen use. The American Academy of Dermatology reviewed the data and confirmed: the benefits of UV protection far outweigh any theoretical risks from absorption.
Here's the honest version: We don't have studies proving the detected levels are harmless. But, we do have an absence of evidence that they're harmful. The FDA is still researching long-term effects. Meanwhile, UV exposure's link to skin cancer has been proven. Repeatedly. There is decades of data.
If you prefer mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) because it sits on your skin's surface rather than absorbing, that's a valid choice. I wish I could make that choice, but mineral formulas give me an allergic reaction. So I use chemical SPF and reapply it properly, because the known risk (sun damage) vs. the theoretical risk (absorption) still heavily favors protection.
What This Means:
Don't let TikTok fear-mongering keep you from protecting your skin. If you're concerned about absorption, switch to mineral. But don't skip sunscreen entirely because of an unproven theory while exposing yourself to a proven one.
Myth 4: Your Sunscreen Is Still Good
You bought a bottle of SPF last summer. Used it a few times at the beach. Tossed it in your gym bag, left it in your car during a heat wave, found it again this spring. Still half full. Might as well finish it, right?
The Reality: That bottle stopped protecting you months ago.
Most sunscreens have a shelf life of about three years unopened. Once you crack the seal, active ingredients start degrading, especially if you expose the bottle to heat, light, or air. The FDA requires sunscreen to maintain its original strength for at least three years, but that assumes proper storage in a cool, dark place. Your gym bag and car dashboard don't qualify.
If your bottle doesn't have an expiration date, write the date you opened it on the cap. If it's been more than a year, toss it.
What This Means:
That bottle you've been using since 2023? It's not protecting you anymore. You're just rubbing lotion on your face and calling it sun protection. Buy a new bottle. Use it consistently. Replace it annually.
Myth 5: "I Don't Need Sunscreen as Much as Women Do"
One CDC study found that only 12.3% of men always use sunscreen when outside for more than an hour on a sunny day, compared to 29% of women. Another study found 39% of men rarely or never use sunscreen, compared to 28% of women. Better, but still...
Men skip sunscreen at nearly double the rate of women, treating UV protection as optional. It's not.
The Reality: Men are more than twice as likely to die from melanoma.
According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 8,510 people will die of melanoma in 2026 - about 5,500 men and 3,010 women. That means men account for nearly two-thirds of melanoma deaths despite roughly equal exposure to UV radiation. UV doesn't care about your gender. Your skin isn't tougher. You're just more likely to skip protection... and pay for it later.
What This Means:
If you're skipping SPF because "that's for women," you're falling for the dumbest myth on this list. Skin cancer doesn't check your driver's license before it shows up.
What SPF Actually Means (And Why It's Not About Time)
Here's the myth that trips up almost everyone: "SPF 30 means I can stay in the sun 30 times longer without burning."
Wrong.
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and it measures how much UVB radiation (the rays that cause sunburn) gets through to your skin. It's a ratio, not a timer. And here's the critical part: SPF says nothing about UVA protection—the deeper-penetrating rays that cause aging and skin cancer.
The math: SPF 30 means 1/30th of UVB rays reach your skin. SPF 50 means 1/50th. That's it. For UVA protection, you need a sunscreen labeled "Broad Spectrum," which means it blocks both UVB and UVA.
If you normally burn after 10 minutes in the sun, SPF 30 theoretically extends that to 300 minutes (5 hours). But that only works if you:
- Apply 2 mg per square centimeter of skin (most people use half that)
- Apply it evenly with no missed spots
- Don't sweat, swim, or rub it off
- Reapply every two hours
In reality? None of that happens. Which is why dermatologists don't say "SPF 30 buys you X hours." They say: Apply it. Reapply every two hours. Period.
The Truth About Sunscreen
Not all SPF is created equal. Chemical formulas absorb UV. Mineral formulas reflect it. Some are invisible. Some leave a slight tint. Some hold up when you sweat. Some don't.
The right sunscreen depends on your skin, your day, and your tolerance for trade-offs. But the wrong move is skipping it entirely because of myths, misinformation, or TikTok panic.
Read the Full Product Guide →
Confidence is built.
5 Sunscreen Myths Guys Believe
Not all sunscreen is created equal.
I learned this the hard way when one mineral sunscreen gave me an allergic reaction. But it goes beyond that: my beach SPF slides off during training runs; what works at my desk doesn't hold up during a marathon race day.
Guys need options, and as a company that focuses on curated options, we stopped reading marketing copy and started doing real research. Then we started testing products.
We've published this guide:
Read the Full Product Guide →
But, we also found a lot of things we've long believed about SPF were flat wrong. So let's kill the five myths men believe about sunscreen (and explain what SPF actually means—because it's not about time).
Myth 1: SPF 100 Is Better Than SPF 30
Walk down any drugstore sunscreen aisle and you'll see it: SPF 50, SPF 70, SPF 100. The numbers keep climbing, and so do the prices. The implication is clear... higher number, better protection. It's intuitive. It's also wrong.
First, a quick science lesson: SPF measures UVB protection only—the rays that cause sunburn. It says nothing about UVA rays, which penetrate deeper and cause aging and skin cancer. That's why you need a sunscreen labeled "Broad Spectrum," which means it blocks both UVA and UVB. (Good news: all four sunscreens we carry are Broad Spectrum.)
The Reality: You're paying triple for a 1-2% difference.
SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays. SPF 50 blocks 98%. SPF 100 blocks 99%. That's it. Diminishing returns don't justify the markup.
The FDA has long contended that SPF higher than 50 is "inherently misleading". Spoiler: SPF 100 applied once is worse than SPF 30 reapplied every two hours.
What This Means:
I tested SPF 30 for three months at my desk. Layered it under beard oil and cologne. Never pilled, never made me shiny by noon. For most situations—commutes, office days, quick errands—SPF 30 does the job.
Beach days? Marathon race days? Extended outdoor exposure where reapplication isn't always convenient? SPF 50 makes sense. But SPF 100 is a marketing gimmick, not a performance upgrade.
Myth 2: "Reef-Safe" Means Something
In 2018, Hawaii made headlines by banning sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. These are two chemical UV filters that lab studies linked to coral bleaching. The beauty industry responded by slapping "reef-safe" labels on everything. Problem solved, right?
The Reality: There's no regulated definition of "reef-safe."
The FDA doesn't regulate the term. Neither does the EPA. Brands can call a sunscreen "reef-safe" even if it contains other chemical ingredients with similar environmental concerns. It's marketing, not science.
The only ingredients proven not to harm coral reefs? Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which is what's found in mineral sunscreens. Everything else is a gamble.
What This Means:
If you care about reef protection, look for mineral-only formulas. Skip anything labeled "reef-safe" that still lists chemical UV filters. The ocean doesn't care about your good intentions.
Myth 3: Sunscreen Causes Cancer
In 2019, the FDA published a study that sent the internet into a panic. Researchers applied sunscreen to participants under normal-use conditions and detected chemical UV filters in their bloodstreams within hours. Wellness influencers ran with it. "Sunscreen is poison." "Big Pharma is hiding the truth." The fear spread fast.
The Reality: "Detectable" doesn't mean "dangerous."
The FDA explicitly stated that detection does not mean these ingredients are unsafe. They continue to recommend daily sunscreen use. The American Academy of Dermatology reviewed the data and confirmed: the benefits of UV protection far outweigh any theoretical risks from absorption.
Here's the honest version: We don't have studies proving the detected levels are harmless. But, we do have an absence of evidence that they're harmful. The FDA is still researching long-term effects. Meanwhile, UV exposure's link to skin cancer has been proven. Repeatedly. There is decades of data.
If you prefer mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) because it sits on your skin's surface rather than absorbing, that's a valid choice. I wish I could make that choice, but mineral formulas give me an allergic reaction. So I use chemical SPF and reapply it properly, because the known risk (sun damage) vs. the theoretical risk (absorption) still heavily favors protection.
What This Means:
Don't let TikTok fear-mongering keep you from protecting your skin. If you're concerned about absorption, switch to mineral. But don't skip sunscreen entirely because of an unproven theory while exposing yourself to a proven one.
Myth 4: Your Sunscreen Is Still Good
You bought a bottle of SPF last summer. Used it a few times at the beach. Tossed it in your gym bag, left it in your car during a heat wave, found it again this spring. Still half full. Might as well finish it, right?
The Reality: That bottle stopped protecting you months ago.
Most sunscreens have a shelf life of about three years unopened. Once you crack the seal, active ingredients start degrading, especially if you expose the bottle to heat, light, or air. The FDA requires sunscreen to maintain its original strength for at least three years, but that assumes proper storage in a cool, dark place. Your gym bag and car dashboard don't qualify.
If your bottle doesn't have an expiration date, write the date you opened it on the cap. If it's been more than a year, toss it.
What This Means:
That bottle you've been using since 2023? It's not protecting you anymore. You're just rubbing lotion on your face and calling it sun protection. Buy a new bottle. Use it consistently. Replace it annually.
Myth 5: "I Don't Need Sunscreen as Much as Women Do"
One CDC study found that only 12.3% of men always use sunscreen when outside for more than an hour on a sunny day, compared to 29% of women. Another study found 39% of men rarely or never use sunscreen, compared to 28% of women. Better, but still...
Men skip sunscreen at nearly double the rate of women, treating UV protection as optional. It's not.
The Reality: Men are more than twice as likely to die from melanoma.
According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 8,510 people will die of melanoma in 2026 - about 5,500 men and 3,010 women. That means men account for nearly two-thirds of melanoma deaths despite roughly equal exposure to UV radiation. UV doesn't care about your gender. Your skin isn't tougher. You're just more likely to skip protection... and pay for it later.
What This Means:
If you're skipping SPF because "that's for women," you're falling for the dumbest myth on this list. Skin cancer doesn't check your driver's license before it shows up.
What SPF Actually Means (And Why It's Not About Time)
Here's the myth that trips up almost everyone: "SPF 30 means I can stay in the sun 30 times longer without burning."
Wrong.
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and it measures how much UVB radiation (the rays that cause sunburn) gets through to your skin. It's a ratio, not a timer. And here's the critical part: SPF says nothing about UVA protection—the deeper-penetrating rays that cause aging and skin cancer.
The math: SPF 30 means 1/30th of UVB rays reach your skin. SPF 50 means 1/50th. That's it. For UVA protection, you need a sunscreen labeled "Broad Spectrum," which means it blocks both UVB and UVA.
If you normally burn after 10 minutes in the sun, SPF 30 theoretically extends that to 300 minutes (5 hours). But that only works if you:
In reality? None of that happens. Which is why dermatologists don't say "SPF 30 buys you X hours." They say: Apply it. Reapply every two hours. Period.
The Truth About Sunscreen
Not all SPF is created equal. Chemical formulas absorb UV. Mineral formulas reflect it. Some are invisible. Some leave a slight tint. Some hold up when you sweat. Some don't.
The right sunscreen depends on your skin, your day, and your tolerance for trade-offs. But the wrong move is skipping it entirely because of myths, misinformation, or TikTok panic.
Read the Full Product Guide →
Confidence is built.