However, the American Academy of Dermatology and the Skin Cancer Foundation both recommend using a water-resistant, broad-spectrum product with an SPF of at least 30 for daily sun protection.
The difference between SPF 30 vs 50
The primary difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 sunscreens lies in their level of protection against UVB rays. SPF 30 sunscreen blocks about 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 sunscreen blocks about 98%. In other words, the difference between SPF 30 and 50 is not substantial.
Conclusion: While SPF 70 offers slightly more protection than SPF 30 or 50, the difference is marginal. For most people, SPF 30 or 50 is adequate if applied correctly. It's also essential to consider other sun protection measures, such as seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding peak sun hours.
However SPF is actually a measure of the degree of protection it gives you from UVB rays and should not be used to determine the length of sun exposure. An SPF of 30 allows about 3% of UVB to penetrate the skin and SPF 50 about 2%. This does not seem much but can make a big difference in certain skin types.
The best type of sunscreen for your face is one that you will use every single day--no ifs, ands, or buts. The most important thing to remember is that you should always choose an SPF of 30 or higher (anything below that won't protect much) and make sure the formula protects against UVA and UVB rays.
Personal preference and skin sensitivity: Some individuals with fair or sensitive skin may prefer using SPF 50 for the added margin of protection it offers. However, SPF 30 is also considered effective for daily use and offers a high level of protection for most people.
Experts unequivocally say no. "The benefit is that it affords us about 1 percent more coverage from the UVB burning rays than an SPF of 50," says Ciraldo. "But the risk is not worth it." Instead, for safe, effective sunscreens, select any SPF 30 to 50 with 20 to 25 percent zinc oxide, says Dudley.
The Best Sunscreen
Blue Lizard has reformulated its Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+, our top pick. It now contains an aloe extract and the SPF booster butyloctyl salicylate, among other inactive ingredients. The active ingredients, zinc oxide (10%) and titanium dioxide (8%), remain the same.
Does SPF 50 Clog Pores? Just because sunscreen has an SPF 50 doesn't mean it will clog pores. If you have acne-prone skin, oily skin, or are just generally concerned about skin care products clogging your pores, look for formulas that are non-comedogenic or expressly made with your skin type in mind.
“Studies have shown that once you get above an SPF of 40 to 45 you are not really getting much added protection from the blistering rays of the sun,” she says. So while SPF 70 or SPF 100 isn't a scam, it's more than you need.
An SPF 15 sunscreen blocks 93% of UVB radiation, and SPF 30 blocks 97%. After that, the difference in protection is small. SPF 50 blocks 98%, and SPF 100 stops 99% of UVB rays from reaching your skin.
Learn more here. Applying SPF 30+ protects you from 97% of UV rays, while SPF 50+ from 98%. This means that some rays will still reach your skin despite wearing sunscreen, so it will not prevent tanning completely.
Generally, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating. If you work indoors and sit away from windows, you may not need a second application. Be mindful of how often you step outside, though. Keep a spare bottle of sunscreen at your desk just to be safe.
Everyone, regardless of age, gender or race, should use sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. But what's in your sunscreen may be just as important as the SPF number. While SPF 85 sounds like it offers more protection, higher SPF numbers can be misleading.
However, the American Academy of Dermatology and the Skin Cancer Foundation both recommend using a water-resistant, broad-spectrum product with an SPF of at least 30 for daily sun protection.
La Roche-Posay recommends opting for a higher SPF for daily use, especially if you spend considerable time outdoors. SPF 50 offers more comprehensive protection against UVB rays, reducing your risk of sunburn and skin damage compared to SPF 30, making it a preferable choice for daily skin care routines.
SPF 50 provides approximately 98% protection from UVB rays, as opposed to approximately 96.7% provided by SPF 30. Protection levels above SPF 50 only offer marginally additional coverage, and no level of SPF protection can provide 100% protection.
Dermatologists recommend choosing a facial sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher that provides broad-spectrum coverage. While there are many other features you can choose from, experts agree that the best sunscreen for your face is the one that you'll feel comfortable wearing every day, year-round.
We recommend using any sunscreen that is labelled broad spectrum, water-resistant and SPF30 or above. Interestingly, SPF50 offers only marginally better protection from UV radiation than SPF30 filtering out 98 per cent of UV radiation compared to 96.7 per cent blocked by SPF30.
The highest SPF is 100 and blocks out 99% of UVB rays. But experts don't necessarily think SPF 100 sunscreen is the best choice. This is only slightly better than SPF 30 and 50 (which is blocks 98% of UVB rays).