Despite the intense sun, many men skip sunscreen, often due to misconceptions or lack of knowledge about skincare.
SINGAPORE: We all have skin, right? So why are women seemingly more dedicated to protecting it than men?
Personally, I’m a sunscreen enthusiast. I can’t get enough of trying the latest sunscreen recommendations from TikTok, and nothing delights me more than swapping tips with other women (though, I’ll stand by my belief that Beauty of Joseon is overrated).
But the men in my life? Not so much.
My father comes back from golf trips with a glaring polo shirt neckline burnt into his chest. My older brother, a videographer, is too “cool” to wear the protective arm covers I bought for his outdoor shoots. And my boyfriend only thinks about sunscreen on the rare occasions we go to the beach.
Yet, even now—despite the scorching temperatures—many men in Singapore don’t take the time to protect themselves before stepping out into the sun’s fierce rays.
It’s Always Sunny in Singapore
The indifference to sun protection should be concerning. Singapore sits just shy of the equator, where ultraviolet (UV) intensity is significantly higher, and right now, we’re in the middle of a heatwave that’s turning many of us into sweaty, sunburned messes.
The island is experiencing some of its hottest weather in years, thanks to factors like El Niño, drier inter-monsoon conditions, the urban heat island effect, and of course, climate change. Last weekend, temperatures soared to 36°C, hitting a blistering 37°C in Ang Mo Kio on May 14. The last time it was this hot was 40 years ago.
When you’re sweating in the heat, reapplying sunscreen is essential. But it seems that many men in Singapore aren’t even applying it to begin with.
Here’s the science: everyone over the age of six months should apply sunscreen daily to protect their skin from damage, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation. And even on cloudy days or for those with darker skin tones, sunscreen is crucial—no sunburn doesn’t mean no skin damage.
Why Men Don’t Wear Sunscreen
An informal poll by RICE found that 56% of women wear sunscreen every day, while only 22% of men follow the same routine. Alarmingly, 47% of men admitted to skipping sunscreen entirely.
It’s 2023, so it’s reasonable to think most men have moved past the idea that skincare is only for women. Yet, misconceptions and gaps in knowledge still exist.
For example, fewer men are aware that “there is no such thing as a healthy tan,” according to a 2016 survey by the American Academy of Dermatology.
After speaking with local beauty content creator Z, I’m convinced that most Singaporean men know skincare is important—they just don’t know enough about it. “The reason why men don’t use sunscreen is because they don’t know how to use it, or they don’t know what to use,” Z explains. Many men still think sunscreen is sticky, greasy, and unpleasant.
Additionally, since the bulk of skincare and beauty content creators are women, many men believe that skincare regimens are “strictly for women.” They don’t realize that skin is skin, and sun protection is for everyone.
The Push to Start Wearing Sunscreen
Interestingly, a few men in the RICE office only started using sunscreen after serious intervention from friends or partners. Ilyas, our editor-in-chief, used to skip sunscreen because it made his skin feel “sticky and uncomfortable.” However, after a bad sunburn from an outdoor festival in Jakarta, he vowed never to endure that pain again. His wife, concerned about his tan lines, got him to start using sunscreen—and he’s never looked back.
Our creative director, Toke, had a similar experience. He now applies sunscreen after being scolded by a former colleague for his laziness: “He said my skin seemed dull—and I want to look good.”
So, why do local men need that extra nudge to start? It seems they don’t mind skincare but need a simple, no-nonsense approach.
Keeping Skincare Simple
With social media pushing overly complicated skincare routines—think 10-step regimens, retinol, and facial massagers—it’s easy to see why many men might be intimidated. Z admits to sometimes contributing to the trend of maximalist skincare, but he recognizes that it doesn’t help make skincare accessible.
“The current trend of multi-step skincare processes doesn’t do anyone a service in making skincare approachable,” says Z. “A simple routine is better.”
Dr. Samuel, a Singaporean GP and content creator, agrees. He suggests that all you need is a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. That’s it—no fuss.
For the men out there who want to start taking care of their skin, don’t be afraid to dip your toes into Skincare TikTok—or just ask your girl pals for recommendations. Tan lines aren’t pretty, and neither is skin cancer.
