In the world of sunscreen, there’s a great deal of debate that always goes on about which is the best Sun Protection Factor or PSF for short. There’s also quite a bit of misinformation out there with regard to what each SPF level gives you -something we aim to address to some extent in this article. Here we cover why a face SPF of 30 is usually more than enough for your needs.
Sure, you will get more protection when you use SPF 50, but the truth is it’s not by as much more as you might believe it to be. Let’s examine some reasons why 30 is plenty.
There’s a Bunch of Reasons Why a Face SPF of 30 is Enough
Look along your local drug store aisle or at the selection available online, and you’ll see face SPF products of 15, 30, 50 and in some cases, even 100! The reasons why 30 is typically sufficient for most people’s needs include the following:
97% of UVB Rays Are Stopped
While a product with an SPF of 50 will let you stay out in the sun 50x longer, as opposed to 30x longer, it’s a figure that doesn’t really bear out that way in reality. It takes 15-20 minutes for totally exposed skin to burn in the sun, so that 30x would be 7½ continuous hours. Most people don’t stay out that long.
50x is getting on for nigh on double that time. However, in terms of the UV rays, an SPF 30 will block we’re looking at 97%, as opposed to 98% with an SPF 50. Not really that much in it.
An SPF 30 is Quite a Bit Lighter
Another reason why someone might prefer to use a 30 product is that they feel a lot more lightweight than SPF 50 sunscreen. That means it’s able to give you the right amount of protection while being much more suitable for wearing underneath your skincare products. This kind of feel is much more likely to encourage you to wear it every day.
Their lightweight nature also makes them a better choice for people with acne, as there’s less chance of them blocking hair follicles and giving you pimples. Exactly what’s required, right?
SPF 30s Are Sometimes More Cost-Effective
You’ve probably also noticed that pretty much everything is going up in price these days, so anything that can reverse that trend has to be a good idea. Well, with some brands, SPF 30s cost less than 50s, meaning they’re going to last you longer and keep your money in your pocket.
That counts double if you go for a mineral product, as they’re known to be best used more sparingly, meaning that more of the stuff stays in the bottle per application when compared to chemical options.
A Higher Face SPF Isn’t Always the Answer For Sun Safety
While it might feel better to wear a sunscreen with a higher SPF, it’s not always the best answer to the question of how to protect your skin from UV rays. That’s because everyone’s skin happens to be different and heavier products can sometimes cause detrimental effects.
In terms of UV protection, the difference is negligible, meaning that dropping from a 50 to a 30 for your sun protection needs can make quite a difference.
