Does Sunscreen Make You Overheat?

This WEIRD Sunscreen Myth Just Got Busted

Listen up runners, bikers, hikers, and anyone else who spends time in the sun! It's time to debunk a long held WEIRD myth in sunscreen lore. For years, outdoor athletes have avoided using sunscreen due to the belief that it could make them overheat during exercise. However, a recent study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology has just busted this myth wide open. Here are the details on why you SHOULD confidently slather on that sunscreen before your next adventure:

The Myth: Sunscreen Causes Overheating
The idea that sunscreen might impair your performance by making your body overheat has long been a topic of debate among athletes. The concern stems from the belief that sunscreen could potentially hinder the body’s ability to sweat and cool itself efficiently. This belief has led many outdoor enthusiasts to skip sunscreen, risking sunburns and long-term skin damage for fear of compromising their thermoregulation.

The Study: Setting the Record Straight
The Journal of Applied Physiology published a study in January of 2024 that aimed to determine whether sunscreen, both mineral and chemical-based, affects the body's thermoregulatory responses during exercise in the heat. The study involved nine subjects who were tested under various conditions: no sunscreen (control), chemical-based sunscreen, and mineral-based sunscreen.

The Findings: Sunscreen Is Innocent

The results of the study were clear and decisive. Compared to the no sunscreen control, neither the mineral-based nor the chemical-based sunscreen had any significant effect on the subjects' critical environmental limits in both hot-dry and warm-humid environments. In simpler terms, the application of sunscreen did not cause the participants to overheat more than when they wore no sunscreen at all.

Key thermoregulatory responses such as sweating rates, evaporative heat loss, skin wettedness, and sweating efficiency remained unchanged across all three trials. This means that sunscreen did not interfere with the body’s natural cooling mechanisms, whether in dry or humid conditions.

The Lesson: Outdoor Athletes Should Embrace Sunscreen for Better Skincare

For outdoor athletes, this study brings excellent news. The fear that sunscreen could impede performance by causing overheating is unfounded, meaning they can enjoy the protection of sunscreen without worrying about it affecting their thermoregulation.

With the myth busted, it’s time to embrace sunscreen as an essential part of your skincare routine, especially when exercising outdoors! Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays is crucial, not just to prevent sunburn but also to reduce the risk of long-term damage such as premature aging and skin cancer.

So, the next time you gear up for a run, bike ride, or hike, make sure to apply your sunscreen generously. Your skin will thank you, and your performance won't suffer. Knowing this, you can confidently prioritize both your skincare and your athletic goals. Stay active, stay protected, and enjoy your outdoor adventures to the fullest.

The Solution: Protect your skin with WTHR™ SPF 50 Sun Stick and SPF 15 Lip Balm, an easy, on the go solution to protecting your bodies most exposed area.

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