[jandrese]

Also remember however that the SPF numbers on most sunscreen are aspirational. They usually require you to apply a much heavier coat than most people think is reasonable and have shorter than you would expect full effectiveness window.

As the article discusses it also depends on your skin. If you are a fair ginger then yeah, sunscreen is your life. If you are more swarthy then you can get away with some midday sun.

[outworlder]

> then you can get away with some midday sun

No you can't. Or rather, you shouldn't. If you have more melanin you obviously have more protection. But your skin will still get damaged by a midday sun, and it will age faster than normal.

This misconception that darker skin does not need protection is really harmful. Maybe that allows you to skip sunscreen for short periods of time, or in early morning, late evening. Not midday, unless "some sun" means just a few minutes.

[jandrese]

My understanding is that overuse of sunscreen is also considered harmful as it inhibits Vitamin D production. It's one of those areas where striking the right balance is difficult as it is different for everybody. As a result you had conflicting advice from every corner.