"Sunscreen contouring": Why you should stay away from this sun cream trend

Purposefully catching a sunburn and, ironically, in the name of beauty: so-called "sunscreen contouring" is a harmful "tip" that is currently happening on TikTok. content creators recommend the partial use of sun cream on the face. In other words: Where the bronzing powder normally goes when applying make-up, they skip the UV protection. Where they use concealer to create highlights, they use sun cream. And then it's off into the sun. The areas that the sun - let's call a spade a spade - burns create a defining tan. This is supposed to make the face appear more distinctive. Some even try to cheat themselves into a six-pack with this technique. From a visual point of view, the whole thing may make sense. However, the fact that you are paying for it with your health is swept under the carpet in these clips.

Why you should keep your hands off it

There is no such thing as a healthy tan. A tan is always a sign that your skin has been damaged by UV radiation. According to Swiss Cancer League, UVB rays damage the genetic material of our cells, which in turn increases the risk of developing skin cancer. On top of this, UVA rays attack elastin and collagen, which favours premature skin ageing. Pigmentation spots can also be a by-product of sun exposure. The Federal Office for Radiation Protection also points out that exposure to UV radiation weakens the immune system.

Conclusion? Do not imitate under any circumstances! Do you want long-lasting contouring? Then I can recommend this article. In it, I explain how you can bring more definition to your face with the help of a self-tanner - completely free from UV rays.

You can find articles on the topic of sun protection here:

Source: Wong, Michelle. The Science of Beauty, DK, 2024.