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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?


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Comments

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26th September, 2018

This sounds great. I have very sensitive skin and often react to sunscreens. I love La Roche-Posay products but haven't tried this one yet but have been looking at getting it for a while now

26th September, 2018

Having fair sensitive skin and skin cancer in close family I am very aware of the importance of sun protection when outside. I didn't know about the individual burn rate, though as I frequently reslather it on theres probably a low risk of that time ever expiring. It's hard to find one that suits sensitive skin that's not greasy or gives you an unearthly silver tinge. This one sounds very promising - definitely hands up for trialling.

26th September, 2018

My first question is it safe for a person with Coeliac Disease, it's amazing how many sunscreens are not gluten-free and so I have reacted to many over the years!! SO bring it on :-) I'm a regular user of sunscreen summer AND winter so super keen to try it

26th September, 2018

I'm yet to find a sunblock that doesn't feel greasy and/or sticky so Anthelios XL Ultra Light SPF50+ sounds amazing! I'd LOVE to try it as a sun block with a non-greasy texture that is absorbed instantly - leaving a finish that is...invisible sounds like BLISS!

26th September, 2018

Must admit I got your pop quiz wrong, I didn’t realise it depended on the individual but it makes sense. I would love to try this product, an invisible finish is very appealing. I hate it when you get a thick greasy white residue on your face which makes it hard to apply your foundation. As someone with sensitive skin this product sounds ideal.

26th September, 2018

This article is very informative as I did not know before the time calculation factor for sun screen protection. My skin is sensitive and I always struggle to find good quality sun screen which is non-greasy and provide maximum protection. I am so much interested in trying La Roche-Posay's Anthelios XL Ultra Light SPF 50+.

26th September, 2018

I'd love to trial this with my 3year old son he is water crazy an cant wait till we get to start going to the beach an pools again very soon

26th September, 2018

Wow, I didn't know that equation! I'd be so keen to try this. I take medication which has an unfortunate side effect of making me more sensitive to the sun and developing cancerous skin lesions. It freaks me out so I'm always looking for a good facial sunscreen as our face is in the sun so often. I like my facial sunscreen to be really gentle or I find it messes with my skin.

26th September, 2018

I always use sun screen whenever I'm outside. I've had allergies to some makes so this one sounds a good one for me being allergy free. I also like that it's easily absorbed and greasy free.

26th September, 2018

I wear contacts and often find sunscreen runs into them- especially when swimming! I need to get better at daily wear, as just using normal moisturiser with spf is not cutting it! I would love to try this sunscreen as I havent found my go to yet- and at 28 it is time I did.

26th September, 2018

I wear sunscreen every day as I have hyperpigmentation which gets worse with prolonged exposure to the sun. I've gone through my fair share of sunscreens and I find it difficult to find ones that don't turn my dark skin into a tinge of grey while still providing good coverage from the sun.

26th September, 2018

I have tried so hard to be a regular sunscreen user, but I can't seem to find one that doesn't make me break out! I've tried so many different lightweight formulas but I've never found the perfect one for my skin. I would so love to be part of this trial as it sounds like it could solve all my sunscreen woes!

26th September, 2018

It does sound fantastic. Finding the right sun block for the face is not that easy. They are all usually quite thick & oily. I burn quite easily and it can get real nasty with my skin peeling off. So would be keen to try this ultra light and non greasy sunscreen.

26th September, 2018

Unfortunately, I dontcregujarkg use sunscreen so should definitely improve that now I have a bun in the oven! I have bought the sunscreen and do try -when I remember...

Also didn’t know the sunscreen tidbit at the beginning! Learned something new! :D

Would love to of course try the sunscreen! Sounds like a dream all round! ^-^

26th September, 2018

I'd love to try this sunscreen. I live in an area that hits high temperatures in the summer and so sunscreen is a "must" everyday. I am of the age where my skin is starting to get "crepey" from lack of sunscreen during my younger years so I need to protect with a high spf sunscreen to prevent further damage as much as possible.

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