All sunscreens are marked with an SPF rating that calls out their strength. SPF30 and SPF50 are the go-tos, particularly in Australia, but what does that actually mean?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. Put simply, this tells you how effective a product is at protecting you from the sun. That effectiveness is tested in a lab setting by determining how long redness takes to appear on the skin after sun exposure.
In the lab, SPF30 sunscreen filters 96.7% of UV radiation and SPF50 sunscreen filters 98% of UV radiation. It’s almost impossible to recreate lab conditions in your day-to-day life, however, because factors like skin type, UV levels, how much product you apply, and what you’re doing that day will always come into play.
So, to get the most out of your SPF and keep yourself as safe as possible, it’s vital that you apply sunscreen liberally, repeatedly, and as directed.
