How much sunscreen should we wear? Is SPF 30 enough? Do our teens have to wear it every day? We get SO many questions about sunscreen, we thought we’d put the answers in one place. So here you go!
WHY DO WE NEED TO WEAR SUNSCREEN?
Because sun exposure can damage your skin, causing sunburn, skin cancer and premature aging. And, because staying out of the sun or covering up completely isn’t very practical or fun, sunscreen is one of the best and easiest way to protect your skin.
WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO PROTECT CHILDREN’S AND TEEN’S SKIN?
Children’s skin is more sensitive to UV rays than adult skin and their lifestyles mean they spend more time outside. Amazingly, 25-50% of the total UV exposure a person has in their lives is during their first twenty years. And studies have shown that several bad sunburns during childhood and adolescence can increase the chances of malignant melanoma (the nastiest form of skin cancer) later in life.
HOW MUCH SUNSCREEN IS ENOUGH?
While applying some sunscreen is better than applying none, most of us don’t apply nearly enough for it to be fully effective. For your face, ¼ tsp is the optimum amount – which equates to two finger lengths of product. If that seems like a lot, think about how you are going to spread this all over your face, ears and neck. For bodies, dermatologists talk about a ‘shot glass’ full of product. Again, that seems like a LOT, but to get the full SPF coverage the sunscreen offers, that’s what you need! And remember, you need to apply it every couple of hours to keep that coverage up, particularly if you are outside or somewhere sunny. More often, again, if you are swimming or sweating.
WHAT’S BETTER? LOTION OR SPRAY?
While sprays have a reputation for being super-easy and quick to apply, dermatologists love a lotion. Why? Because you’re more likely to use the correct amount of sunscreen with a lotion! Sprays might be fast, but it’s too easy to miss bits.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MINERAL AND CHEMICAL SUNSCREENS?
Mineral sunscreens – also known as ‘Physical’ sunscreens – usually contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and protect your skin by reflecting and scattering UV rays away from your body (interestingly, new research suggests they actually protect skin by absorbing 95% of UV rays…!).
Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into your skin and, once they’re there, act like sponges, soaking up UV rays and turning them into heat before they can damage your skin.
AND IS ONE BETTER THAN THE OTHER?
Mineral sunscreens tend to be better for people with sensitive skin, eczema and rosacea, as they sit on the skin rather than being absorbed by it. But they can sometimes be hard to rub in and appear slightly ‘chalky’ on the skin.
Chemical sunscreens go into the skin invisibly. But it also means their ingredients can cause irritation, blocked pores and heat rash, particularly if they contain fragrance. More worryingly, there have also been reports that chemical sunscreens can go into the bloodstream and stay there for several days.
Our 99% natural, 100% mineral Sun Squad Sensitive Skin SPF30 for Face is the first sunscreen specially formulated for teens and tweens
WHAT ABOUT SUNSCREEN HARMING REEFS AND OCEAN LIFE?
Three common chemical sunscreen ingredients - oxybenzone, octocrylene and octinoxate – have been linked to coral reef bleaching and Hawaii actually banned sunscreens that included two of them in 2021.
While mineral sunscreens are generally considered to be more environmentally friendly, the 'nano-particles' in some mineral sunscreens - there to make them more 'invisible' on the skin - have been linked to reef and ocean life damage, too. So, look for mineral sunscreens that specifically say they contain 'non-nano' zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and are 'reef safe'.
WHAT'S SPF EXACTLY?
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is a measure of how well a sunscreen protects your skin from UVB rays - the rays that cause sunburn. Here's how it works: if your unprotected skin normally burns after 10 minutes in the sun, applying an SPF30 allows you to stay in the sun 30 x longer. But that depends on you applying the correct amount of sunscreen! Heads up: most people apply less than half the amount they need for full protection!
Because you also need protection from UVA rays (the insidious ones that don’t cause burning, but get deep into the skin and cause aging and skin cancer), look for sunscreen that also says it gives 'broad spectrum' protection (also shown by a ring around the UVA symbol on a bottle or tube).
AND WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SPF 30 AND SPF 50?
A sunscreen with an SPF of 30 stops 97% of UVB rays from reaching your skin (as long as you apply the correct amount). Surprisingly, a sunscreen with SPF50 stops 98% of UVB rays - only 1% more. SPF 30 is ideal for daily wear and, if it's a mineral sunscreen, will be less white and sticky than a mineral SPF 50. But if your skin is super-fair and you're going to be on a beach for 8 hours, opting for SPF 50 or wearing a hat with SPF 30 is the best option.
DO YOU NEED TO WEAR IT EVERY DAY?
Most dermatologists say yes, you do, because UV rays are around every day, even when it's cloudy. And yes, even if you're inside (those sneaky UVA rays can come through windows!). Studies show that applying it every day will seriously lower your risk of skin cancer, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. The easiest thing is to think of it as essential a part of your routine as cleansing your face or brushing your teeth in the morning. And don’t forget to reapply! Every two hours if you're outside and more often if you're getting wet or sweating.
DO EVEN DARK-SKINNED PEOPLE NEED TO WEAR IT?
Yep. It's true that, if you have dark skin, you might not burn as quickly as fair-skinned people. But you can still get sun damage, wrinkles and skin cancer if you don't protect your skin.
WHAT ABOUT GETTING ENOUGH VITAMIN D?
If sunscreen blocks sunlight from reaching the skin, does it reduce the amount of Vitamin D that your body's getting? Some studies have suggested that it does. And some wellness experts, like Liz Earle, say that we should all get at least 20 minutes of unprotected sun exposure each day to keep Vitamin D levels optimum.
But a more recent study has found there's very little evidence that wearing sunscreen limits Vitamin D intake. And it's important that any concerns about Vitamin D - crucial though it is - don't distract from the importance of protecting skin from UV exposure and the skin cancer and damage it causes.
IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FACE AND BODY SUNSCREENS?
As far as protection is concerned, there's not a huge amount of difference. But face sunscreens, like our Sun Squad SPF 30 for Sensitive Skin, have been specially formulated for more delicate facial skin - so they're lighter weight, won't clog pores or cause breakouts or irritation. They're also great for other ‘sensitive' parts of the body like chests and upper backs.
SO, WHAT'S THE BEST KIND OF SUNSCREEN FOR TEENS AND TWEENS?
One school of thought would say, any sunscreen they'll agree to wear! Our thinking is that their skin is more sensitive, so the obvious choice is a mineral/physical sunscreen, as it's less likely to cause irritation, blocked pores or rashes. Choose one that doesn't feel sticky or look white on their skin (they hate that)! And make sure it's a lotion or cream formula - dermatologists agree that teens/tweens are more likely to apply enough of this type of sunscreen versus lightweight sprays that easily miss bits.
If you're going the chemical sunscreen route, think carefully about the ingredients. Studies have raised concerns about the endocrine-disrupting effects of three ingredients that are commonly found in them (oxybenzone, homosalate and octocrylene).
(Psst! you can find out more about our best-selling, award-winning Sun Squad Sensitive Skin SPF 30 for Face here! It's the first sunscreen formulated specially for teen/tween skin.)
