What is SPF?
SPF stands for “Sun Protection Factor”, the ability of cream to protect your skin from UVB rays.
UVB rays cause the redness of your skin and sunburns.
UVA rays cause longer-term damage – like wrinkles, pigmentation and skin ageing.
So, when choosing your sunscreen – make sure it protects you from both UVB&UVA rays.
What do SPF numbers mean?
You probably know, how long your skin stays calm and not red under the sun, when unprotected. On average it is something between 1 to 10 mins.
Your sunscreen extends this time by 15, 30 or 50 times – depending on the number that is stated before “…SPF”.
Example:
My skin does not go red for 10 mins when no sunscreen applied.
So, when I apply SPF15 – my skin becomes protected for 10 mins*15 times = 150 mins or 2 hours and 30 mins. If I apply SPF30 – 10*30 = 300 mins or 5 hours.
How much sunscreen do I need to apply?
Ideally 2 mg on each square cm. Which is about the amount in a vodka shot for the whole body.
How often do I need to apply it?
Reapply the sun protection every time after an activity, swim, run, using a towel or sweating etc. If you are outside doctors recommend reapplying every 90 – 120 mins at least.
Remember to apply and reapply sun protection every time you go outside, not just on a hot sunny day on holiday.