SPF 30 is the most common level for most people and skin types. No sunscreen can block all UV rays, but what we do know is: SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays and SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays.
SPF 30 (97% protection) allows 3 out of 100 photons through. So, while you may not be doubling your level of protection, an SPF 30 will block half the radiation that an SPF 15 would let through to your skin. It's complicated, but to keep it simple, most dermatologists recommend using a SPF 15 or SPF 30 sunscreen.
According to Spencer, an SPF 15 product blocks about 94% of UVB rays; an SPF 30 product blocks 97% of UVB rays; and an SPF 45 product blocks about 98% of rays.
Regular daily use of SPF 15 sunscreen can reduce your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by about 40 percent, and lower your melanoma risk by 50 percent. Help prevent premature skin aging caused by the sun, including wrinkles, sagging and age spots.
Here's another way to think about all this: As a general rule, SPF 15 protects you against 93 percent of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97 percent, and SPF 50 blocks 98 percent of UVB rays.
Do You Need to Wear Sunscreen Indoors? The short answer is yes. As Green mentioned, UV rays can pass through glass windows. Because of this, it's important to wear SPF inside your home, as well as inside your car.
For the average Australian, SPF 15 will be sufficient for normal daily activities where you experience minimal sunlight, or work indoors. However, there's no harm in going for an SPF 30 on a daily basis to just add that little extra protection.
"For Indian skin, any sunscreen containing SPF 15 and above is preferred. The difference between SPF 15 and 50 is minimal. Sunscreens with higher SPF ratings block slightly more UVB rays, but none offers 100 percent protection," she said.
What SPF is best for dark skin? The dermatologists we consulted recommend a minimum of SPF 30 — as does the American Academy of Dermatology. However, Henry recommends you apply SPF 50 if you're outside for more than an hour.
But the truth is that higher-SPF products are only marginally better at shielding you from UVB, according to both the EWG and the Skin Cancer Foundation. SPF 30 blocks nearly 97% of UVB radiation, SPF 50 blocks about 98%, and SPF 100 blocks about 99%.
For sun protection, the dermatologists we consulted prefer broad-spectrum sunscreens with at least SPF 15. They're also keen on SPF lip balms made with mineral ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Who Needs Sunscreen? Every child needs sun protection. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that all kids — regardless of their skin tone — wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher for any extended outdoor activity.
"Pigmented skin types – those which rarely burn and tan easily – usually Asian or black skin – are relatively more protected than fair skin types from UV radiation due to melanin. Therefore, wearing a sunscreen with SPF 15-30 is likely to be sufficient."
Wearing a day cream with SPF 15 isn't enough to ward off the damage, even in the Winter. With studies also suggesting that we can get blue light damage from our laptop screens, even those of us in an office during the week aren't safe from serious UV damage.
As non-dermatologists, though, we're comfortable touting a summer tan as a positive thing—when you follow the rest of this advice and get said tan ever so gradually. “Everyone should be using at least SPF 30 with broad spectrum coverage daily, regardless of whether or not you plan to spend dedicated time outdoors,” Dr.
Lotions and sun-guards containing SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 20 to 35 are suitable for Indian skin types. The rays of the sun affect fair complexion easily. Lotions having SPF 30 is the best for people having a fair or wheatish complexion.
A sunscreen with SPF 30 will protect you from around 96.7% of UVB rays, whereas an SPF of 50 means protection from about 98% of UVB rays. Anything beyond SPF 50 makes very little difference in terms of risk of sun damage, and no sunscreens offer 100% protection from UVB rays.
Dermatologists recommend using an SPF of at least 30, which Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, a dermatologist practicing in New York, calls "the magic number". SPF 15 blocks about 93 percent of UVB rays, while SPF 30 blocks about 97 percent of UVB rays. The ADA recommends an SPF of 30 or higher.
SPF works by extending your skin's natural defenses against the sun's rays. For example, an SPF of 15 provides about 15 times more protection than just your normal skin without sunscreen. An SPF of 50, then, would provide 50 times more protection than skin without sunscreen.
In general, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours for consistent protection. However, there is an exception to the rule—if you're sweating or swimming you need to apply more often. To make sure you're protected even when you're active, you should reapply sunscreen at least every 80 minutes.
Use a sunscreen or sun block with a minimum of SPF 30. Sunscreen or sun block needs to be re-applied at least every two hours, more often if you are sweating heavily or spending time in the water. So ideally your son should reapply sunscreen just before the swim practice.
A great choice for sensitive and acne-prone complexions, The Ordinary Mineral UV Filters SPF15 with Antioxidants is made with Tasmanian Pepperberry to calm stressed out skin, and non-comedogenic (non-pore-blocking) silicones for a silky, lightweight feel.
“Moisturizer with SPF 15 adds some protection, but I don't think it's enough,” says Doris Day, M.D., a clinical associate professor of dermatology at the NYU Langone Medical Center. McCormick's study shows it's important to cover as much of your face as possible whether you're using sunscreen or moisturizer.