Myth: Dark skin doesn’t burn, so you don’t need sunscreen
Reality: “All complexions can burn,” says dermatologist Karyn Grossman. “A dark-skinned person doesn’t need as high an SPF as a pale redhead, since she has more melanin in her skin for natural protection.” Still, that extra melanin doesn’t guard against the UV damage that accelerates ageing or causes cancer. If you have dark skin, you need a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.

Myth: The sun gives you great highlights
Reality: “Sun exposure damages your hair too,” says dermatologist Katie Rodan. In fact, those highlights are evidence of damage that can give your hair a dry, strawlike texture and cause breakage. Keep your hair healthy by using UV-shielding products.

Myth: Getting a tan zaps zits
Reality: A tan can temporarily camouflage the redness of a pimple and dry out the skin’s surface, but sun exposure will eventually lead to more breakouts. “It causes a build-up of dead skin cells that clogs pores,” Rodan says. “This actually worsens acne.” The sun also dehydrates the skin; when that happens, your oil glands try to compensate by pumping out more oil, which may leave you with more zits.

Myth: There’s no benefit to an SPF higher than 30
Reality: A higher number is slightly better. “You get 99 percent sunburn protection with SPF 90, versus 96 percent with SPF 30,” says dermatologist Howard Sobel. Over a lifetime, a few more percentage points of protection can add up to a lot less sun damage.