If you’ve read any of our skincare tips over the spring and summer months, you’ll know we harp on a lot about the importance of SPF. But let’s face it, while most of us know that we should be using SPF, many of us don’t really understand the ins and outs of why it’s essential.
By understanding what SPF means, how it’s measured and how to use it correctly, we can make informed decisions to protect our skin both now and in the long run. Whether you’re planning sunny holidays or enjoying time outdoors closer to home, sunscreen is a non-negotiable part of a healthy skincare routine.
In this guide, we’ll answer common questions like ‘why is SPF important for your face?’, ‘should you wear sunscreen every day?’ and ‘what SPF should I use?’, just in time for the warmer months.
What is SPF?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and it’s the rating that tells you how much protection a product gives you from ultraviolet rays. It’s important to note that SPF ratings are based only on protection from UVB rays, but more on that in a moment.
Broadly speaking, an SPF 15 sunscreen allows you to have 15x longer sun exposure without burning. So, if it normally takes 10 minutes to burn, SPF 15 may extend that to 2.5 hours.
Of course, this isn’t an exact science. Your skin tone, genetics, climate, and even altitude all affect how quickly you burn. That’s why SPF should be seen as a guide, not a guarantee.
How is SPF Measured?
SPF ratings help us understand how much UVB radiation is blocked when used correctly.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
SPF 15 blocks around 93% of UVB rays
SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays
SPF 50 blocks roughly 98% of UVB rays
It might sound like a small difference, but that extra percentage can make a big impact. For example, SPF 30 allows 3 out of every 100 photons through, while SPF 50 only allows 2. If you’re spending a full day in the sun, that 1% can add up.
A common misconception is that a higher SPF means you can spend more time in the sun without reapplying. In fact, people wearing high-SPF products often reapply less, stay out longer, and neglect shade, ironically increasing the risk of sun damage.
UVA vs UVB Rays
SPF only tells us about protection from UVB rays, which damage the outer skin layers and cause sunburn. But UVA rays penetrate more deeply, accelerating skin ageing and increasing skin cancer risks too.
The sun produces three types of ultraviolet rays:
UVA: Causes premature ageing and contributes to long-term damage
UVB: Causes sunburn and increases cancer risk
UVC: Blocked by the Earth’s atmosphere
To protect against both UVA and UVB rays, look for sunscreens labelled as broad-spectrum or full-spectrum. These are formulated to cover both types and offer more complete protection, especially for your face and areas exposed daily.
Should You Wear Sunscreen Every Day?
Yes, daily SPF is essential, even if it’s cloudy or you’re indoors most of the day. UVA rays can penetrate glass and reach your skin while you’re driving or sitting by a window. Applying SPF daily helps defend against cumulative sun damage and premature ageing.
This is especially important for your face, which is typically exposed more than other parts of the body. Want to prevent fine lines, uneven tone, and dryness? SPF is your daily skincare hero.
How to Apply SPF Correctly
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends choosing a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30+ if you’re outside for an extended period. Proper application is just as important as choosing the right product.
Not sure how much to use on your face? A teaspoon is a good rule of thumb. Don’t forget easy-to-miss areas like your ears, neck, and the tops of your feet.
Apply 30 minutes before going outside
Reapply every 2 hours, and immediately after swimming or sweating
What Types of SPF Products Are There?
SPF isn’t just for your beach bag—it’s something to incorporate into your daily routine.
Hair
UV rays can damage the proteins in hair, leaving it dry and brittle. SPF sprays and leave-ins can help protect colour and reduce frizz.
Lips
With fewer layers of skin, lips burn easily and are often forgotten. Lip balms with SPF are a simple way to stay protected.
Face
Your face is often the first to show signs of sun damage. SPF skincare is specially formulated to avoid clogging pores or irritating sensitive skin.
Body
From lightweight sprays to rich creams, body sun protection products are tailored to different skin types and lifestyles. Choose based on activity, texture preference, and your skin’s needs.
Child
Children’s SPF products use gentler formulations to protect delicate skin. They’re also a great choice for adults with sensitive skin.
SPF isn’t just for beach days—it’s for every day. By applying sunscreen properly and consistently, you’re not only protecting your skin now, but investing in healthier skin for the future.
Are you all set for the sunnier seasons? Browse our full Sun & Tan range here to find SPF products for every skin type and lifestyle.
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If you read any of our articles over spring and summer, you’ll know we harp on a lot about the importance of SPF. But let’s face it, while most of us know that we should be using an SPF product, we don’t really know the ins and outs of why.
Well, it’s time for all that to change. By understanding how SPF is determined and what it actually means, we can all make sure we’re making the right decisions to protect our skin in both the short and long-term. Let’s unravel some of the mystery around SPF products.
If you’re interested in sun protection, you may also want to read our article on Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.
What is SPF?
SPF is an acronym for Sun Protection Factor - it’s the way that your protection from ultraviolet rays is measured. It’s important to note here that the SPF only takes into account UVB rays, but we’ll discuss why this matters in more detail a bit later.
The SPF rating is a universal measurement that all sunscreen products are ranked against to give more clarity to consumers as to how much UVB protection they can expect from their purchase.
Broadly speaking, an SPF 15 sunscreen allows you to have 15x longer sun exposure without the risk of burning. So, if under normal conditions the time taken to burn is 10 minutes, an SPF 15 would extend this to 2.5 hours.
Of course, this should never be taken as a certainty, as many elements can reduce this time. Your skin colour, genetic makeup, global location and weather conditions can all impact how quickly you will burn, so SPF should only serve as a guideline.
How Is SPF Measured?
The SPF rating of a sunscreen product helps us to identify how much more protected our skin is than if we were wearing no sunscreen at all. If used exactly as directed an SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, an SPF 30 blocks 97% and an SPF 50 blocks 98%. On the face of it, this might seem like a negligible difference, but let’s look at those figures a little closer.
If the sun puts out 100 photons (particle of radiation), this is how the various SPFs would stack up:
No SPF, 0% protection - 100 photos reach the skin
SPF 15, 93% protection - 7 photons reach the skin
SPF 30, 97% protection - 3 photons reach the skin
SPF 50, 98% protection - 2 photons reach the skin
So, using an SPF 30 product is twice as effective as an SPF 15, letting half as many photons reach the skin, while an SPF 50 is three times more effective as an SPF 15, letting only a third reach the skin. Considering that every particle of radiation can cause immense damage to your skin, this really matters.
Unfortunately, there is an unexpected risk to using a high SPF compared to a lower SPF. For some people, using a high SPF sunscreen produces a false sense of security, leading them to spend longer in the sun, not reapplying regularly and not seeking shade. This can result in more sun damage than if they had used a lower SPF and taken more care.
So, while a high SPF does offer better protection, your own actions can have just as significant an impact on your skin’s protection.
UVA vs UVB Rays
Another thing to be aware of when thinking about sun protection is that the SPF rating of a product only refers to its protection against UVB rays, not UVA. The sun actually creates three different types of radioactive ultraviolet ray, UVA, UVB and UVC.
UVB rays are what sunscreen protects against, and what the SPF label relates to. While most UVB is filtered by the atmosphere, what does reach the Earth damages the superficial, outermost layer of our skin. UVB rays cause sunburn and significantly increase the risk of skin cancers.
UVA rays account for roughly 95% of the UV rays that reach the Earth. While they were once considered harmless, we now know that UVA penetrates deeper into the skin than UVB rays, causing ageing of the skin and wrinkling. UVA rays are also what creates a suntan, which is actually our skin trying (poorly) to defend itself against damage. Recent studies have also indicated that UVA rays may create further risk of skin cancers.
While UVC rays are the most harmful form of radiation emitted by the sun, it is filtered through the atmosphere and doesn’t reach the Earth’s surface.
As you can see from the information above, it isn’t only UVB we need to worry about, UVA rays are just as much cause for concern. For this reason, it’s important to look for sunscreens which are labelled as “broad spectrum” or “full-spectrum”. These products include ingredients designed to deflect UVA rays as well as UVB.
How Often Should You Reapply?
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends opting for broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreens with an SPF of 30+ for any extended time spent outdoors. Irrespective on the SPF, the correct application is key. The average adult should apply about a shot glass worth, or two tablespoons, 30 minutes before going outside. The sunscreen should then be reapplied every two hours, or more frequently if sweating or swimming.
What Types Of SPF Products Are There?
Any area of your body that is exposed to sunlight would ideally be protected from UV rays. While this can be achieved by wearing long clothing, a hat and seeking shade, most of us are likely to, at some point, want to enjoy full sunshine without additional layers - that’s where SPF protection comes in.
There are five main categories of SPF: Hair, Lips, Face, Body, Child.
Hair
Believe it or not, the UV rays and heat from the sun affects our hair as well as our skin. Though it doesn’t cause the same health concerns, UV damage to hair can leave it dry, frizzy and untameable.Shop SPF Hair Protection
Lips
The skin on our lips is only 3 to 5 layers thick, compared to around 16 layers on the rest of the body. This makes our lips much more susceptible to burning. Using a lip balm or lipstick with SPF protection is an absolute must for this reason.Shop SPF Lip Protection
Face
Our face is exposed to more sunshine than most other areas of our body, but it’s also the area of the body that is most susceptible to sensitivity, dryness, acne or other skin complaints. For this reason, complexion specific sunscreens are a great choice.Shop SPF Face Sunscreens
Body
Providing overall coverage on all areas that are exposed to the sun, body sunscreens are designed with a range of activities in mind. With SPFs ranging from 15 to 50+ and in a range of textures, there’s something for everybody.Shop SPF Body Sunscreens
Child
SPF sunscreen for children is designed using gentler formulations that prioritise sensitivity. For this reason, it is often also recommended for adults with particularly sensitive skin, such as those suffering from eczema or dermatitis.Shop SPF Child Sunscreens
Are you all set for the warmer weather? You can browse our full Sun & Tan range here.
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