Vault

Max value reached

Adding this item would put you over your total vault limit of $250. please review your cart to stay under the limit.

Do You Know How Long Sunscreen Will Protect You For?

25 September, 2018 - 09:05pm by - First Lady | 157 Comments

Article by BR Natalie

Do you know how long a SPF 30 sunscreen will protect you for?

30 minutes
3 hours
3 x 30 minutes
Other?

I've been quizzing my family and friends as part of my 'wear-sunscreen' nag-a-thon.  No one has answered correctly thus far.

Not to sound like a nagging nelly but our little pop quiz shouldn't have you stumped. SPF is a DAILY ESSENTIAL for everyone in your family.  Why?  Because it is quite literally life-saving stuff.  And not in a 'there's a small chance it could save your life' way.  Sunscreen is hugely important.  90% of skin cancers in NZ are caused by excessive sun exposure.  And skin cancer rates in NZ?  High.  Really, really high.  We have the highest incidence rate of melanoma in the world.

So, back to that burning question.  Do you think 'the higher the SPF number, the longer I'll be protected?' Uh-uh.  

SPF is directly related to the individual's burn time. 

So if you burn within 20 minutes of unprotected sun exposure, when applied correctly, SPF 30 will protect you for 20 minutes x 30.  So 600 minutes.  If you burn within 10 minutes of sun exposure, a SPF 30 will only protect you for 300 minutes - a HUGE difference.

Minutes to burn without sunscreen x SPF = Maximum sun exposure time

But always err on the side of caution, and reapply regularly.  Slip, slop, slap!

We're looking for 60 reviewers to put a sunscreen from a renowned brand La Roche-Posay to the test.  


La Roche-Posay's Anthelios XL Ultra Light SPF50+  is a with broad spectrum SPF50+ facial sunscreen containing an innovative UV filtering system to provide the highest UVA and UV protection. 

It's ultra light with a non-greasy texture and is absorbed instantly - leaving a finish that is...invisible.  Like all La Roche-Posay products, Anthelios XL is specially designed for sensitive skin - it's fragrance-free, paraben-free, non-comedogenic.

We know - it sounds FANTASTIC.  If you want to be one of our reviewers on this Trial Team, put your hand up by commenting below and chatting to us about all things sunscreen.  Did you pass our pop quiz at the beginning of the article?  Do you regularly use sunscreen, or are you a bit hit and miss?  Maybe you have sensitive skin and struggle to find the right daily sunscreen?

Get chatting below - we might just pick you!

Do You Know How Long Your Sunscreen Will Protect You For?


View results

View previous polls

Comments

Please sign in or register to add a comment.

26th September, 2018

I have recently discovered and loved La Roche Posay products, as they are fragrance / paraben / colours / sulphate free AND great for eczema skin which ticked all my boxes. I would love to try their sunscreen as it is an essential product in every day life and I have the peace of mind that I'm not putting harmful ingredients on my skin.

26th September, 2018

I did not know that about sunscreen!!! I am really good with sunscreen typically, but also very fussy. I cannot stand that thick, zinc, sweaty, clogged feeling that some sunscreens give. And I absolutely hate having to wait eons for it to absorbs before trying to apply foundation. This product sounds absolutely perfect, I would love to trial it!

26th September, 2018

Yeap, as someone who burns easily, I knew SPF 30 means its 30 times your normal burn time. I've never been great at applying sunscreen every day as I just hate the way it feels on my skin. That was until I discovered the Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face. I use it every day as a moisturiser/primer - it just feels like really lovely skincare. I've heard rave reviews about the La Roche-Posay one so would love to give it a go and see how it compares.

26th September, 2018

It does sound fantastic. I knew it was SPF x something, but I must admit I always forget what it is. I am a firm believer in sunscreen as someone with skin that burns easily and I apply it religiously although I hate how greasy most sunscreens feel. I would definitely be down for trying a sunscreen that is light and non-greasy.

26th September, 2018

That’s very interesting! This sounds lovely and gentle to use.

26th September, 2018

With spring here I definitely need a new bottle of sunscreen. I’d happily review this one . My body is so not ready lol

26th September, 2018

I have a tanned skin tone and I get sun burnt as well. There's this huge myth that people with dark skin tones don't get sun burnt which is ridiculous. Everyone from all colours of the rainbow to know how important sunscreen is for them. I would love to give this a go, because I haven't found a good sunscreen that lasts more than 2 hours for me.

26th September, 2018

I like to think i know but really i just try to remember to put it on and hope for the best. This summer i hope to spend more time outside and less time working so i will really need to up my game. Im a fair skin girl and ive a wee bub so something i can put on and not worry about for awhile would be great since your focus is on the little one now :)

26th September, 2018

I thought about 60 mins was average for sunscreen and with a sensitive skin I really should take a lot more notice. I try to use sunscreen all summer but have just started using products that have sunscreen in winter as I have read a few articles advising this.SPF 50 sounds really good for summer use particularly for fair skin like mine.

26th September, 2018

I use an spf on my face everyday. I need to find a new spf that doesn't leave a white cast or flashback, isn't too greasy, provides good long wearing protection and wears well under makeup and doesn't sting my eyes and works well with my redden, irritated skin when I have hayfever and get a raw nose from blowing it. I'd love to trial this.

26th September, 2018

I'm a slip, slop, slap, hat, gal ...I burn easily, and as a mum I have to lead by example so my kiddos don't neglect their skin! I pick SPF50 sunscreens as a rule for maximum protection for a decent amount of time. Whatever I choose I make sure its okay on my kids skin too, so tend to look for sensitive skin formulas! Would LOVE to trial this- it's really hard to find a non-irritating SPF50 for my face - nothing worse than foundation run lines because the sunscreen made your eyes water!!

26th September, 2018

I have always been weary when it comes to sunscreen as some just don't seem to work as they claim or they have some nasty ingredients in them. I would love to trial this please with cherries on top :-) I especially like the sound of this being paraben and fragrance free and for sensitive skin. I would use this on my daughters too as I like to put kinder products on their precious skin. I tend to reapply every two hours or more when swimming.

26th September, 2018

Sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours period. If you're indoors most of the time then obviously less often but if out in the sun, 2 hours.

26th September, 2018

I brought some of this after trialing some LRP and loving what I trialled. With this wicked weather I’m finally getting to trial it and liking this too. Having allergies to sunscreen I am always so wary what ones I use and luckily this one didn’t land me in hospital so it’s a winner.

26th September, 2018

I had no idea about the burn time relating to how long it lasts. I just follow the instructions on the bottle. I am a regular summer sunscreen wearer but have only this year started using it almost everyday since winter.

Julieal
26th September, 2018

Yes I am the same -good to know more though as really important

AboutFace
26th September, 2018

Gosh that sounds scary fingers crossed you get chosen :-)

Julieal
26th September, 2018

Yes it does sound really good and if you are like me you always make sure the kids are well coated.

WELCOME TO NZ'S BIGGEST BEAUTY GUIDE!

READ AND WRITE REVIEWS ON YOUR FAVOURITE (or not so favourite!) PRODUCTS!

Sign up to receive our newsletter and stay up to date with all of the latest happenings here at Beauty Review!

You'll be the first to know about Trial Teams, Vault restocks and Giveaways.

We promise never to spam you - only to share the best in NZ beauty!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE MAILING LIST!