How to choose and use sunscreens.

Here are our top 10 tips for understanding, choosing and using sunscreens:
  1. What does SPF mean? The SPF (sun protection factor) is a measure of how much ultraviolet B (UVB) protection the sunscreen offers. UVB is the main wavelength in sunlight that causes sunburn. SPF is calculated by taking the time it takes you to burn with a sunscreen and dividing it by the time taken for you to burn without a sunscreen. For example, if you burn in 300 minutes with a sunscreen and 10 minutes without, then the SPF of that sunscreen is 300/10 ie. 30. However, sunscreens should not be used to prolong your time in the sun, as exposure still leads to suppression of your skin’s immune or surveillance system.
  2. What does broad spectrum mean? A sunscreen labeled ‘broad spectrum’ provides protection against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and UVB rays. When sunlight hits your skin, it is absorbing both UVA and UVB rays. Whilst UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn, UVA rays can prematurely age and wrinkle skin. Both contribute to skin cancer.
  3. What does the plus (+) sign mean? This means that the SPF is higher than the number shown. In the 2012 Australian standard for sunscreens, the plus sign for SPF50+ means that the SPF is significantly higher than 50. To qualify for a 50+ rating the test results must be 60 or higher.
  4. What does ‘water resistant’ mean? Water resistance is measured by determining the SPF measurement after a period of water immersion claimed by the product. The maximum water resistant claim period of 4 hours is only allowed for products which have SPFs of 30 or more after immersion in water. These are designed to be used while swimming, surfing or participating in other water sports. They still need to be reapplied regularly due to being worn or rubbed off, such as when towelling dry.
  5. How should I apply sunscreen? Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before you go outdoors to give time for the sunscreen to be absorbed. Apply liberally to all exposed skin and reapply every 2 hours, even if you don’t sweat or go in the water. Use at least 1 teaspoon for each limb, front and back of the body and half a teaspoon for the face, neck and ears. You should apply one cupped adult hand (30-40 ml or the rough equivalent of a shot glass) of sunscreen for an adult body. If you have small children, apply the sunscreen before you put on their clothes or swimmers to ensure you don't miss any spots. However, for children you are better off buying a hat and clothing that deflects UV rays (rash shirts).
  6. Are moisturisers or cosmetics containing sunscreens enough? Moisturisers or foundations that contain sunscreen provide skin protection for short outdoors bursts – but that’s it. If you’re planning to spend a significant amount of time outdoors then these alone don’t cut it.
  7. Should I apply moisturiser or sunscreen first? Although there is some debate about this depending on the type of sunscreen, the vast majority of medical experts recommend that sunscreen be applied as the final step in your daytime skin care regime.  Any skincare product applied over a sunscreen dilutes the sunscreen's effectiveness to some degree. However, the order doesn't matter as much as thorough, adequate application. If applying foundation, wait 3-5 minutes after sunscreen application and apply using a smooth, gentle motion.
  8. Fake tans do not provide sun protection. Fake tans are great for replicating a sun-kissed glow, but just because the skin looks darker doesn’t mean it’s any more protected from the sun. Apply a sunscreen as you normally would.
  9. Don't buy a product that combines a sunscreen and an insect repellent. Sunscreen should be reapplied frequently, but insect repellents should not. Buy separate products and apply them separately.
  10. Get rid of old sunscreen. Just like most creams, sunscreens have a shelf life. Theoretically it's good until the expiration date, but that's only if it hasn't been exposed to any extreme heat. Ideally sunscreen should be kept out of direct sunlight and below 48 degrees. If you notice your sunscreen has split, changed colour or smells weird then ditch it!

How to choose and use sunscreens.

Here are our top 10 tips for understanding, choosing and using sunscreens:

  1. What does SPF mean? The SPF (sun protection factor) is a measure of how much ultraviolet B (UVB) protection the sunscreen offers. UVB is the main wavelength in sunlight that causes sunburn. SPF is calculated by taking the time it takes you to burn with a sunscreen and dividing it by the time taken for you to burn without a sunscreen. For example, if you burn in 300 minutes with a sunscreen and 10 minutes without, then the SPF of that sunscreen is 300/10 ie. 30. However, sunscreens should not be used to prolong your time in the sun, as exposure still leads to suppression of your skin’s immune or surveillance system.
  2. What does broad spectrum mean? A sunscreen labeled ‘broad spectrum’ provides protection against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and UVB rays. When sunlight hits your skin, it is absorbing both UVA and UVB rays. Whilst UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn, UVA rays can prematurely age and wrinkle skin. Both contribute to skin cancer.
  3. What does the plus (+) sign mean? This means that the SPF is higher than the number shown. In the 2012 Australian standard for sunscreens, the plus sign for SPF50+ means that the SPF is significantly higher than 50. To qualify for a 50+ rating the test results must be 60 or higher.
  4. What does ‘water resistant’ mean? Water resistance is measured by determining the SPF measurement after a period of water immersion claimed by the product. The maximum water resistant claim period of 4 hours is only allowed for products which have SPFs of 30 or more after immersion in water. These are designed to be used while swimming, surfing or participating in other water sports. They still need to be reapplied regularly due to being worn or rubbed off, such as when towelling dry.
  5. How should I apply sunscreen? Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before you go outdoors to give time for the sunscreen to be absorbed. Apply liberally to all exposed skin and reapply every 2 hours, even if you don’t sweat or go in the water. Use at least 1 teaspoon for each limb, front and back of the body and half a teaspoon for the face, neck and ears. You should apply one cupped adult hand (30-40 ml or the rough equivalent of a shot glass) of sunscreen for an adult body. If you have small children, apply the sunscreen before you put on their clothes or swimmers to ensure you don't miss any spots. However, for children you are better off buying a hat and clothing that deflects UV rays (rash shirts).
  6. Are moisturisers or cosmetics containing sunscreens enough? Moisturisers or foundations that contain sunscreen provide skin protection for short outdoors bursts – but that’s it. If you’re planning to spend a significant amount of time outdoors then these alone don’t cut it.
  7. Should I apply moisturiser or sunscreen first? Although there is some debate about this depending on the type of sunscreen, the vast majority of medical experts recommend that sunscreen be applied as the final step in your daytime skin care regime.  Any skincare product applied over a sunscreen dilutes the sunscreen's effectiveness to some degree. However, the order doesn't matter as much as thorough, adequate application. If applying foundation, wait 3-5 minutes after sunscreen application and apply using a smooth, gentle motion.
  8. Fake tans do not provide sun protection. Fake tans are great for replicating a sun-kissed glow, but just because the skin looks darker doesn’t mean it’s any more protected from the sun. Apply a sunscreen as you normally would.
  9. Don't buy a product that combines a sunscreen and an insect repellent. Sunscreen should be reapplied frequently, but insect repellents should not. Buy separate products and apply them separately.
  10. Get rid of old sunscreen. Just like most creams, sunscreens have a shelf life. Theoretically it's good until the expiration date, but that's only if it hasn't been exposed to any extreme heat. Ideally sunscreen should be kept out of direct sunlight and below 48 degrees. If you notice your sunscreen has split, changed colour or smells weird then ditch it!