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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be surprised how many people don’t know you can burn on a cloudy day?

81 replies

Icepops · 03/06/2021 12:07

Out with friends this morning. Hot but cloudy. I covered mine in suncream and offered it to friend as she had commented that she didn’t have any.
She refused and said her dc didn’t need it anyway as it was cloudy and didn’t believe me when I said you can still burn on a cloudy day! Shock

I really think they should teach this in schools (maybe they do these days but certainly didn’t when I was at school in the 1990s).

YABU: everyone knows you can still burn on a cloudy day
YANBU: I didn’t know you could burn on a cloudy day

OP posts:
MondeoFan · 03/06/2021 12:09

You def can. My DH did this once. I told him to put suncream on, he refused then paid the price with his back later that evening.
I had a friend years ago that was English but grew up in Germany then came back to England at the age of around 18 and said you don't ever need suncream in England as it never gets hot enough, only in other countries you would need it

StarryStarrySocks · 03/06/2021 12:10

I knew this but I used to live in Australia where they are very hot (no pun intended!) on their sun protection messages. Before that it wouldn't have occurred to me to wear suncream on a cloudy day in the UK.

looptheloopinahulahoop · 03/06/2021 12:10

Yes I knew that you could burn on a cloudy day but I think there's a lot of ignorance about sunburn. For example, if you have dark skin you still need sun protection but a lot of white people don't know that.

LolaSmiles · 03/06/2021 12:11

Why does this need to be taught in schools? Why is the answer to people not deploying common sense to add something else into schools?
Sad
Sorry for missing the point if the thread OP, but we have enough being added into schools without having to compensate for adults who don't engage common sense, use google or learn from experience.

theressomethingaboutmarie · 03/06/2021 12:11

I learned this after a day out a few days before DH and I got married. I ended up wearing a strapless dress with a red V of fading sunburn and he had a bright red forehead! Made for hilarious wedding photos :-)

MaskingForIt · 03/06/2021 12:12

It depends on the thickness of the cloud really. There are plenty of cloudy days when you won’t burn, but there also cloudy days when you will burn.

As for the person who said it doesn’t get hot enough in England to get burnt - I’m guessing that’s why no one has ever got burn on a ski holiday then?!

Northofsomewhere · 03/06/2021 12:14

When I was a student archaeologist there were plenty of other students who flat out refused any offer of sun cream on day 1 of excavation (we were excavating in northern Scotland). They'd changed their tune by day 2 and gladly accepted my factor 50 as well as advice on where to put it - don't forget your ears or lower back!
My worst ever burn though was wind burn on my first excavation in overcast conditions, I could barely shower for a week and even now wear a hat with ear coverage when it's windy and warm.
I'd say while this is common knowledge amongst adult who've learnt the hard way there's plenty of teens and young adult who are yet to learn.

Branleuse · 03/06/2021 12:16

I know that its possible to burn on a cloudy day if you are particularly prone to burning, but I personally wouldnt wear suncream if it wasnt particularly sunny. I would take the risk

mogsrus · 03/06/2021 12:29

The sun rays will go through clothing as well, I'm with you on this one,I live by the sea & have seen many people like lobsters,still people like that have all got a PHD in stupidity

Pinkblueberry · 03/06/2021 12:34

I know, but I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that other people don’t. Like people who don’t realise you can get sunburned in cold places.

bingoitsadingo · 03/06/2021 12:36

I think this is something that depends on your skin tone. My very pale friends wear suncream on a cloudy day, but I wouldn't think to put suncream on if it wasn't sunny and I've never got burnt as a result. Nor have I ever burnt through clothes!

Branleuse · 03/06/2021 12:45

i dont burn on cloudy days either, hence id take the risk.
The suncream police do kinda annoy me.

PattyPan · 03/06/2021 12:48

I know but I read a thread a month or so ago where posters were saying the OP was crazy for trying to get her pale and ginger toddler to wear a hat on a cloudy day in April. That same weekend my DP got burnt to a crisp for refusing to wear sun cream (although he knew it was possible) and I’m sure many others did too. I remember a work colleague coming back from a ski holiday a few years ago with a goggles imprint burnt onto his face. Check the UV forecast, not the heat or sunshine!

Pinkblueberry · 03/06/2021 12:49

I don’t consider myself the suncream police by any means - everyone is responsible for themselves. But there seems to be a big misconception that you should put on suncream simply to not get burnt. Skin can become damaged, moles altered and certainly wrinkles encouraged before you even begin burning.

Bbub · 03/06/2021 13:45

It's a big shame when it comes to kids. They rely on us to do the right thing and shouldn't have to learn the hard way (by getting burnt and sun damaged). My parents sadly let us get burnt and as a result I'm really big on sun protection. I'm surprised this generation of parents isn't more vigilant on the whole

Bbub · 03/06/2021 13:46

@Pinkblueberry

Absolutely agree, just cause the skin doesn't burn it doesn't mean there isn't damage being done

Strokethefurrywall · 03/06/2021 13:48

Everything @LolaSmiles said. Why the hell should this message be taught in schools? As if they don’t already have enough to try and teach kids.

Easier would be a message from your friendly weatherman on any TV station around the country, no?

murbblurb · 03/06/2021 13:49

Yep. Being a thick bint when it comes to science is fairly standard, especially on here. Loads think sun strength is related to air temperature. Worse, many women are proud of knowing so little - and MN encourage it, the only science topic on here is labelled 'geek stuff'.

Latitude , time of year , time of day. Is air temperature in there? No.

Catswithflamingos · 03/06/2021 13:51

Maybe some people want to burn...

YellowScallion · 03/06/2021 13:53

I'm not surprised that some people don't know. For certain skin types you have to be outside a really long time to burn in the UK when it's cloudy.

CraftyGin · 03/06/2021 13:56

I really think they should teach this in schools (maybe they do these days but certainly didn’t when I was at school in the 1990s).

I’m a science teacher, and, believe me, I lather this on (pardon the pun).

I’ve been doing so for almost 30 years.

CraftyGin · 03/06/2021 14:00

It’s not just about obvious sunburn. The sun ages your skin, even darker skins.

negrilbaby · 03/06/2021 14:05

I once got sunstroke in Lincolnshire in February. Went to a track day so was outside all day. Had a warm parka on with the hood up, most if the day - it was cold and windy , but obviously sunnier than I noticed. That evening my face was a glowing, burning, swollen mess!

Drunkenmonkey · 03/06/2021 14:07

I'd have to be outside for a very long time on a cloudy day to burn, as would my kids so no I wouldn't lather my kids in suncream for a couple of hours in the morning on a cloudy day! A bit of sunlight is good for you and sunscreen is actually full of strong chemicals that often irritate my kids skin.

Scarby9 · 03/06/2021 14:14

I know this, but still managed to burn yesterday in a sea fret. It was so cold and damp and you couldn't even see the end of the garden. I took the risk over lunchtime to visit a friend in her garden. Totally my own fault