May 13, 2024, by Sanne Carbaat

We underestimate the morning sun: Dutch people often only apply sunscreen during the hottest part of the day

May 13, 2024, by Sanne Carbaat

We underestimate the morning sun: Dutch people often only apply sunscreen during the hottest part of the day

Say sunburn, say sultry temperatures, a sweltering sun and we immediately think of the beach, sand between the toes and waving parasols. Now we believe that most people apply sunscreen if you plan a day at the beach or an afternoon on the boat. But do you also apply sunscreen if you haven't planned that day in the sun? So what if the weather is suddenly nice and you can grab a terrace? Or when you are working in the garden and the sun breaks through?

From recent research by research agency Verian on behalf of Etos It turns out that Dutch people mainly apply sunscreen during planned moments of sunshine, such as a day at the water. More than half of Dutch people indicate that they only use sunscreen when they already feel the sun burning on their skin, and actually only during the hottest hours of the day. That is not very strange, because as a child you learn that you should mainly apply sunscreen between 12:00 and 14:00. However, the sun doesn't tell a clock, and from May onwards the morning sun at 10:00 can be just as strong as the afternoon sun.

The Huidfonds and Etos want to create more awareness of this. Checking the strength of the sun should become as normal as looking at the temperature or checking the rain radar when it is going to rain.

Lubricate, lubricate, lubricate

Although 96% of people do apply sunscreen on the beach or at the pool (the planned outings), 63% indicate that they often do not apply it on the way there. In the car it is a different story than on the bike, but if you have to cycle for 30 minutes in the (morning) sun, you can already get quite a bit of sun power. Just under half of the Dutch only apply it during the hottest hours of the day. But even though the sun may not feel very warm in the morning, the sun power can be just as great as at the hottest point of the day.

If a 'sun day' is not necessarily planned, many people forget that the sun's power also applies during everyday activities and are less likely to wear sunscreen.

You can simply check the UV index (sun power) on the rain radar.

Marijne Landman, director of the Skin Fund: “Even outside the better known sun moments, the sun can cause damage to your skin. That really requires a new habit. For example, check your weather app every morning to see what the sun will be like. Will the UV index be 3 or higher? Then protect your skin by blocking the sun, wearing clothes and applying sunscreen.

Interesting facts

* Two-thirds of people who sometimes work in the garden often do not apply sunscreen. When relaxing in the garden, 50 percent apply sunscreen.

* Three-quarters of Dutch people do not realize that the sun's strength in the morning can be just as strong as that in the afternoon.

* Everyday outdoor activities, such as grocery shopping, shopping or cycling to work, are often done unprotected: 86 percent indicate that they usually do not apply sunscreen.

* A third of Dutch people who indicate that they burn easily often only apply sunscreen when the sun starts to burn their skin or at the hottest time of the day.

What are we going to apply then?

Phew, we have discovered quite a few nice brands of sunscreen over the summers. Naif for example, it spreads so well, is water resistant and does not leave a white cast. Or Esse's, another favorite, good for your skin and the coral. Well, of course we already have a list for that: favorite sunscreen brands.

More tips to protect your skin in the summer, or if you want to stay out of the sun completely and to the fake tan go; we collected it.

We underestimate the morning sun: Dutch people often only apply sunscreen during the hottest part of the day