# Artifical tanning cremes with SPF..... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 10, 2016, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artifical-tanning-cremes-with-spf/742670 "2016-01-10T04:24:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2016, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artifical-tanning-cremes-with-spf/742670/1 "2016-01-10T04:24:38Z")
Given that I’m a whitey (and OH SO WHITE) and it’s summer here in the southern hemisphere, I bought myself a thingy of tanning creme…that has a SPF of 15. Now I only apply it every few days (just enough to take the white out, a real tan would look ridiculous on me) but curious how long the SPF thing is meant to last. With most sunscreens, they need re-application around every four hours to provide protection. Nobody is going to put this stuff on every four hours, unless they want to look like Serena Williams at the end of the day…🙂 So does the SPF last as long as the tan? IOW, can I expect a protection factor of 15 for a few days, or does it last the usual few hours? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2016, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artifical-tanning-cremes-with-spf/742670/2 "2016-01-10T04:50:30Z")
It should say on the bottle. It probably only lasts a few hours (at most) if you’re out in the sun, active and sweating. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2016, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artifical-tanning-cremes-with-spf/742670/3 "2016-01-10T04:57:10Z")
If it were possible to make sunblock that lasted that long, then all of the sunblock cremes would do so. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2016, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artifical-tanning-cremes-with-spf/742670/4 "2016-01-10T05:15:44Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > If it were possible to make sunblock that lasted that long, then all of the sunblock cremes would do so. Surely that would be the end of the sunblock industry if they promised DAYS of protection?? 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2016, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artifical-tanning-cremes-with-spf/742670/5 "2016-01-10T05:20:29Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > It should say on the bottle. It probably only lasts a few hours (at most) if you’re out in the sun, active and sweating. Nothing about re-application is mentioned on the bottle. > [@](#): > > Le Tan gradual tan with SPF 15 allows you to gradually build a natural looking, streak free tan whilst protecting your skin from harmful UV rays… :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2016, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artifical-tanning-cremes-with-spf/742670/6 "2016-01-10T21:09:14Z")
Ah, sorry, I thought you were talking about sun block.