This familiar counsel is likely the thing Australian filmmaker Baz Luhrmann is most recognized for — even more so than his Leonardo DiCaprio-led take on “Romeo and Juliet” …despite the fact the words were originally written by Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich.
Fame can be unpredictable — but ultraviolet radiation certainly isn’t.
Now that summer has finally arrived, many of us are starting to expose our winter-pale skin to the sun’s potent rays.
We’ll assume you’re following that classic ’90s injunction and slathering on sunscreen; who doesn’t hum that earworm to themselves?
Still, your responsible approach to sun safety requires some choices, and the sunscreen shelf is crowded with SPFs from 15 to 100, with prices that vary accordingly.
Is it sensible to spring for a super-high-SPF product? Does it truly provide significantly more protection?
Is SPF 100 Worth It? What Does SPF Actually Mean?
The short response to whether SPF 100 is worth buying is “no.”
Moreover, no sunscreen available provides complete protection for your skin. To understand why, let’s break down what that SPF figure on the bottle actually represents.
SPF stands for “sun protection factor,” a term that “refers to the sunscreen’s ability to block ultraviolet B (UVB) rays,” according toWebMD. UVB rays are primarily behind sunburns, while UVA rays — their longer-wavelength counterparts — also pose risks. In fact, although both types raise skin cancer odds, UVA rays are “more closely associated with deeper skin damage.”
Thankfully, you can purchase sunscreens that defend against both types of rays; these will be labeled“broad spectrum” or “full spectrum”.
But let’s return to SPF for a moment: that number pertains only to UVB protection, even when a product offers broad-spectrum coverage. So what does the number really indicate?
It might seem intuitive that SPF should scale linearly — for instance, an SPF 30 product offering twice the protection of an SPF 15 — but that’s not how it works.
In reality, SPF 45 blocks merely about 1% more UV radiation than SPF 30, and SPF 30 only provides roughly 3% more protection than a basic SPF 15. Put differently, paying extra for very high-SPF sunscreen is generally a waste.
To reiterate: Extremely high-SPF products aren’t worth the premium.
Which Sunscreen Is the Best Value?
One quick look at the sunscreen displays at stores like Walmart and Target shows there’s more to choosing SPF than just the number.
From facial sunscreens that claim to be acne-friendly to spray-on options geared toward active beachgoers and touted as sand-resistant, there’s a wide range of formats — and prices — to consider.
As with many personal care purchases, personal preference matters; you might find the clear-face formula worth the extra cost.
But the single feature youabsolutelyshould prioritize — and be willing to pay more for if needed — is full-spectrum protection. Water resistance is also a valuable perk. Even if you don’t plan to swim, hot conditions make sweating likely, and sweat can affect sunscreen performance.
Regarding SPF level, a moderate number will do. Florida dermatologist James M. Spencer, M.D., recommends SPF 30 to his patients, with the important stipulation that it be applied ahead of time (about half an hour before sun exposure), liberally, and repeatedly.
“You can’t just put it on in the morning and forget about it,” he told WebMD. “I don’t care if it’s SPF 800,” he adds: “after a few hours, it’s gone.”
This is doubly true if you’re swimming, sweating, or engaging in activity while outdoors. Even water-resistant formulations should be reapplied every two hours.
If your skin type and summer itinerary are anything like mine, you’ll likely go through several bottles. Fortunately, we’ve already outlined practical sunscreen-saving strategies to help protect both your skin and wallet from the sun.
Alex Monroe is a Scottish-Floridian with very fair skin. He goes through a lot of sunscreen.
