India, Nov. 18 -- Whether it's summer heat or mild winter sunshine, harmful UV rays affect our skin year-round. Yet many rely on shortcuts or incomplete routines, convinced they've checked all the boxes for sun safety. The reality? Some of these habits barely offer protection at all and may be doing more harm than good.

Sermed Mezher, a family medicine physician and content creator based in London, England, shares in his November 18 Instagram post 3 surprising ways people think they're protected from the sun but aren't. (Also read: Yoga coach shares no 1 exercise everyone over 40 should add to their fitness routine to stay strong and steady )

"SPF ratings on makeup can be misleading, because the protection they provide is based on using...