6 Summer Skincare Myths Busted

Summer brings sunny days filled with joy and adventures. But along with the sunshine comes a wave of skincare “advice” that isn’t always rooted in truth. 

Believing in these misconceptions and not giving your skin the proper care it needs can cause serious damage to your skin’s health.

To save you from this, let’s separate facts from fiction. Here are some of the most common summer skincare myths—and the truth behind them.

Myth #1: You Only Need Sunscreen on Sunny Days

If the sun isn’t shining bright it doesn’t mean your skin is safe from UV rays. Even on cloudy or overcast days, around 80% of the UV rays can still reach your skin. 

That means skipping sunscreen on a cloudy day can leave your skin vulnerable to sunburn, premature aging, and long-term damage.

Think of sunscreen as a non-negotiable part of your summer skincare routine. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen, preferably mineral, with at least SPF 30 every morning—no matter what the forecast is. Top it up every two hours when you’re outdoors.

BelleCôte’s Double Sun Protection Cream is a great pick. A mineral formula enriched with marine sun filters and powerful peptides to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays while helping to prevent photoaging and discoloration

Pro Tip: Always choose your SPF in a glass bottle. Under the sun, tiny particles from plastic packaging may leach into the cream and penetrate the skin, potentially causing irritation or even skin damage.

Myth #2: You Don’t Need Moisturizer In Summer

Skipping moisturizer in summers can dehydrate your skin. All the sun exposure and air-conditioning strips away moisture from your skin, leaving it dry, dull, and prone to irritation.

When skin becomes dehydrated, it overproduces oil to compensate for the lost moisture. This excess oil production leads to clogged pores and breakouts.

What to do: Instead of skipping moisturizer in the summer, switch it. Opt for a lightweight, oil-free, and non-comedogenic moisturizer that keeps skin hydrated without feeling greasy.

Keep your skin healthy and radiant with our Day Light Moisturizer—a lightweight, hydroprotective cream with Phyto Stem Cells to keep your skin deeply nourished. Your skin will thank you!

Myth #3: You Can’t Get Sunburn In the Shade

Sitting under a beach umbrella or under a tree shade may shield you from direct sunlight, but it doesn’t block all the UV exposure. Harmful rays can reflect off water, sand, concrete, and even nearby buildings—reaching your skin from unexpected angles.

Over time, this UV damage can lead to sunburn, hyperpigmentation, and premature aging.

Pro tip: Use shade as an extra layer of protection, not your only one. A layer of broad-spectrum sunscreen is still a must. Apply it to your sun exposed skin and reapply as needed throughout the day to maintain full coverage and protection.

Myth #4: Darker Skin Doesn’t Need Sunscreen

Deeper skin tones contain more melanin, which offers some natural protection from UV rays, but it’s far from complete. Darker skin is still vulnerable to sunburn, discoloration, and long-term UV damage—including skin cancer.

Sunscreen is essential for every complexion, whether dark or light. 

Choose a formula that blends seamlessly without leaving a cast—like a high quality mineral SPF—to protect against UVA and UVB damage for an even and radiant skin.

Myth #5: Sun Helps Clear Up Acne

It may look like that a few hours in the sun temporarily dries out pimples, but it's not a cure. UV exposure can irritate and dehydrate your skin which causes excess oil production leading to even more breakouts.

A better solution: If you’re having acne, target it directly. Use an effective acne spot treatment like BelleCôte’s Rosacea Duo-Drying Lotion—formulated with natural clay minerals, camphor, zinc, azelaic and salicylic acid—to reduce redness, soothe irritation, and promote faster healing.

Myth #6: You Don’t Need to Reapply Water-Resistant Sunscreen

Water-resistant doesn’t mean all-day protection. Even the best water resistant sunscreen has its limits.  Sweating, swimming, or towel drying can reduce the effectiveness of your sunscreen. Skipping reapplication of your sunscreen exposes your skin to the very damage you’re working to prevent.

Don’t think of reapplication as a chore—make it a part of your quick skin refresh. 

Reapply your sunscreen every two hours, and especially after swimming or sweating, to keep your skin protected throughout the day.

The Bottom Line:

Summers are meant to be enjoyed—but don’t let summer skincare myths sneak between you and your healthy glow. 

By knowing the truth behind these myths, you can enjoy summers while keeping your skin safe, hydrated, and radiant all season long.

Treat your skin with the care it deserves!