It's also a relatively new product, just a few decades old. Notice how people before that spent a lot more time outside in the sun, working. Back in the days people would use white clothes which reflects away much of the sunlight, and cover much more of their skin, and try to be in the shadow during the hottest part of the day.
In Spain they have siesta, were everything shuts down mid day and people avoid the sun in general. Turns out that humanity across every culture already knew of ways to avoid getting sunburned. Also, sunbathing almost nude is not natural, people who does that a lot will of course get sun burned and die of skin cancer.
[Yes, chemical ones.](https://files.catbox.moe/4d6m4n.jpg). Most are full of lots of bullshit. You want one that is just zinc and a few other things to make it feel nice and apply smoothly. Pure zinc is not not fun to wear alone but good on you if you can.
I just switched to the baby from family version of the Wot Not brand and found the it feels and applies better even though the ingredients are very similar. I've tried a fair few and this is by far the best I've found. You never need more then 30+.
Key is to apply 20 mins before going in the sun ideally (but usually its fine to do it last minute) reapply every 2 hours, after swimming, towling, or sweating.
Otherwise hat, cotton clothing and shade during peak sun. Slip, slop, slap motherfucker.
I've heard sun screen doesn't work because most people apply it incorrectly. I have "heard" that sunscreen is bad, but I don't know how valid what I heard was.
Im a ginger so yes I require something but also yes most of this crap is full of chemicals you do jot want. You have to read labels and then you are trusting the labels.