Last updated: March 6, 2026
It’s so disappointing when you’re on vacation in a sunny place, looking forward to getting your tan on, and you’re suddenly faced with a cloudy day.
You were perhaps expecting a really sunny day but those fluffy clouds in the sky are about to ruin your tanning time.
This can be really deflating if you’ve been looking forward to showing off your beautiful tan when you get home.
You might even have a really special outfit planned which will look even better with tanned skin.
If you get multiple cloudy days it can feel even worse.
After all, where is this tan now going to come from?
If this is what you’re wondering now, then you’re probably also thinking to yourself can you tan when it’s cloudy?
The answer to can you get a tan when it’s cloudy depends on a few factors which we’ll look into below.
Read on to find out all about tanning in cloudy weather, including the answers to:
- can you get tan on a cloudy day?
- can you get sunburned on a cloudy day?
- do you get more tan when it’s cloudy?
It’s a good idea to learn all about the skin’s reaction to the sun and how cloud type affects this process.
Can you tan when it’s cloudy?
To answer this question, you need to consider the following:
- How UV rays and the tanning process actually work
- What effect the clouds have on UV rays
- The type of clouds you’re dealing with
Let’s have a look at these factors and then question can you tan when it’s cloudy.
How do you get a tan?
The sunlight that you can see contains something called ultraviolet radiation (usually shortened to UV radiation).
There are different types of UV radiation.
The two most well known types of UV rays are UVA and UVB.
These have different effects on the skin.
UVA rays penetrate the deepest in to the skin’s layers.
UVA is the culprit behind premature aging due to spending time in the sun.
It’s also what causes the tanning process.
By penetrating deeply in to the skin UVA triggers your body to produce the pigment melanin, which is what causes skin to darken with a tan.
UVB is responsible for sunburn and also skin cancer.
Do clouds stop UV rays?
It’s a common misconception that if it’s a cloudy day you can’t get a tan. You absolutely can still get a tan when it’s cloudy.
Clouds do stop some UV rays from the sun from reaching the earth’s surface, and therefore your skin.
However they don’t stop all of them.
According to Cancer Research, over 90% of UV rays can still penetrate through clouds and hit your skin.
Therefore, although the light will seem dull on a cloudy day because the actual sunlight is being blocked, the vast majority of the sun’s UV rays are still coming through.
UVA and UVB is invisible to the naked eye.
But it is still penetrating through the clouds and down to all of us.
Therefore the answer to can you tan when it’s cloudy is a resounding yes, you can.
Remember that while you can still get tanned when it’s cloudy, you are also still at risk of a sunburn and increased risk of skin cancer and should protect your skin accordingly.
You may also be wondering does baby oil help you tan?
Can you tan on a rainy day?
What if there are really thick, grey clouds out there and it’s lashing down with rain?
While thicker, denser clouds may block slightly more of the sun’s ultraviolet rays than light clouds, UVA and UVB can still get through.
Therefore you can still theoretically get a tan when it’s cloudy and raining too.
Are UV rays stronger on cloudy days?
There is something called the ‘broken cloud effect’ which, it is theorized, can actually increase the intensity of UV rays.
This means that even if it is partially cloudy, UV rays may actually be stronger and therefore more potent or dangerous when there are a few clouds in the sky than when the sky is clear.
This article holds some really interesting information about this question.
Do you tan better with clouds?
You may be able to sit outside for longer if it’s cloudy, especially if direct sunlight is just too hot.
However the question of if you tan better when it’s cloudy really depends on a lot of other factors.
These are the thickness of the clouds, if it’s completely overcast or just partially cloudy, and the intensity of the sun’s rays that day.
Can you still burn when it’s cloudy?
Yes you most definitely can still burn even if it is cloudy.
You must take care to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays, even on an overcast day.
This is because, as we have learned, UV levels can still be really high even when there is less visible light due to cloud cover.
Therefore, while the answer to can you tan when it’s cloudy is yes, you can also still burn when there’s cloudy weather.
Your overcast tanning guide
We’ve seen that you can still get tan on a cloudy day.
Your dreams of having gorgeous bronze skin when you go home from your vacation are not ruined if there are cloudy skies.
However, it’s important to remember that although you can get a tan when it’s cloudy outside, you can also still burn and cause skin damage.
Skincare is something that should not be taken for granted as it is a crucial aspect of maintaining overall well-being and health. There are a lot of products and treatments you can use for protection. With a multitude of options available, ranging from conventional skincare products to embracing natural skincare treatments, the choices you make can significantly influence the health and appearance of your skin.
Because of the effects that both UVA and UVB have on the skin, it’s really important that you protect your skin against them at all times.
This includes when there are clouds in the sky, as they will still penetrate through despite the effect of cloud cover stopping them slightly.
Lighter skin tones need to be especially careful on a cloudy day, but a darker skin tone should not think they’re safe from sun damage either.
If you really still want to get a tan when it’s cloudy you should learn how to safely tan.
- Never, ever use tanning beds
- Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen on all exposed areas to protect against both UVA and UVB rays
- Avoid tanning sessions when the sun rays are at their strongest, even when it’s cloudy
- Wear sunglasses
- Wear a hat with a wide brim
- Avoid any unprotected sun exposure even on overcast days
- Wear protective clothing and long sleeves on the hottest of days
Those with pale skin and fair skin are at a higher risk of sunburn from UV exposure.
Fair-skinned people should avoid too much sun exposure as they have less of the melanin pigment to help protect their skin.
Never use something like a tanning oil that doesn’t have a sun protection factor (SPF) in it.
Instead, you might want to learn how to fake tan which is an effective way of getting a bronze tan without melanin production.
Remember, the answer to can you get tan when it’s cloudy is a definite yes!
You can get that lovely bronze glow on even the cloudiest of days especially in the summer months when the amount of UV light is higher.
But you can also see an increased sign of skin damage such as sunburn and premature aging.
Tanning even when it’s cloudy also still comes with the increased risk of skin cancer so always, always wear sunscreen and avoid excessive sun exposure.
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I’ve partnered with Organii to offer readers the chance to win a bundle of their cruelty free, vegan sun care products.
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