The Truth About Sunscreen: What You Actually Need to Know in South Africa

Beauty

In South Africa, sun exposure isn’t something that only happens on holiday. It happens while driving, standing in queues, walking kids into school and even sitting near a window at work or at home. That’s why sunscreen isn’t a seasonal product for Mzansi resident’s, it should be a daily health habit.

Many people only reach for sunscreen when the weather feels hot. But sun damage doesn’t depend on temperature. Think about sitting in your car with the window up. You’re not hot, but the sun is still hitting your skin. The same thing happens on cloudy or windy days. UV rays pass through clouds and glass, quietly damaging the skin without warning signs.

Sunscreen works the same way a seatbelt does. You don’t wait for a long road trip or a busy highway. You put it on for short trips too.
Even a 10-minute walk, a quick school run, or standing outside chatting can expose your skin enough to cause damage over time. It’s not about one long day in the sun, it’s about small daily exposure adding up.

Why South African Skin Needs Extra Protection

South Africa has very high UV levels year-round
UV exposure is strongest between 10am and 4pm
Damage happens even when you don’t burn

If you’ve ever tanned without trying, that’s your skin reacting to UV damage.

The Real Harm Caused by Sun Damage

Sun damage doesn’t always show up straight away. Most of the time, it happens quietly, layer by layer, without pain or warning. By the time changes appear on the skin, the damage has already been done.

Sunburn, even if it happens only once in a while
Early ageing, including fine lines and wrinkles
Dark marks and uneven skin tone
Increased risk of long-term skin problems
Weakened skin that becomes more sensitive over time

What is SPF?

SPF is one of those numbers many people see on a bottle but don’t always understand. It doesn’t tell you how “strong” a sunscreen is or how long you can stay in the sun. It simply explains how well the sunscreen helps protect your skin from the type of rays that cause sunburn. Think of SPF as a level of protection, not a permission slip to stay out longer.

SPF measures protection against UVB rays
SPF 30 blocks most harmful UVB rays
SPF 50 offers slightly more protection, not double
Reapplication is still essential, regardless of SPF

Common Sunscreen Mistakes

Applying sunscreen once in the morning and forgetting it
Skipping sunscreen because it’s cloudy or “not that hot”
Forgetting ears, neck, lips, hands and feet
Only using sunscreen on holiday

Sun damage doesn’t shout. It builds slowly. Wrinkles, sun spots and skin problems often show years later, not immediately. Daily protection is one of the simplest ways to look after your skin long-term.

At Ringpharm, we believe prevention is part of good health. Protecting your skin today is easier than fixing the damage later. Visit your nearest Ringpharm Pharmacy for friendly advice and sun-care products you can trust.