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.
