Sunscreen is the single most important skincare product you can own — and the one most people use incorrectly, insufficiently, or not at all. Choosing the wrong formulation for your skin type is one of the main reasons people abandon SPF: a greasy, pore-clogging sunscreen on oily skin, or a drying formula on dry skin, makes daily use feel unpleasant. The right sunscreen should feel like nothing at all.
For most people, SPF 50 broad-spectrum daily sunscreen is the recommendation. Oily or acne-prone skin: lightweight gel or fluid formula, chemical or hybrid filters. Dry skin: moisturising cream SPF, mineral or chemical. Sensitive skin: mineral (zinc oxide) SPF. Apply ¼ teaspoon to face and neck as your final morning step.
Mineral sunscreens (also called physical sunscreens) use zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as their active ingredients. They sit on top of the skin surface and reflect UV rays. They begin working immediately upon application, leave less systemic absorption, and are generally better tolerated by sensitive and reactive skin. The trade-off: they can leave a white cast — especially on deeper skin tones — though modern formulations have improved significantly with micronised particles.
Chemical sunscreens use organic filter molecules (avobenzone, octinoxate, tinosorb, etc.) that absorb UV radiation and convert it to heat. They tend to be lighter, more cosmetically elegant, and less likely to leave a cast. They require 15–20 minutes to bind to skin before full effectiveness, and some filters (octinoxate, oxybenzone) have faced scrutiny over potential skin sensitisation in some individuals, though regulatory bodies including the FDA and EU Cosmetics Regulation continue to assess their safety.
SPF 30 blocks approximately 97% of UVB rays; SPF 50 blocks approximately 98%. The difference sounds small, but for daily use the extra protection compounds meaningfully over years of cumulative exposure. Most dermatologists recommend SPF 50 as the daily standard, particularly for those with a history of sun damage, fair skin, or concerns about pigmentation and ageing.
SPF ratings only measure UVB protection (the rays that burn). To ensure UVA protection (the rays that cause ageing and DNA damage), look for "broad-spectrum" on the label. In the EU, sunscreens with broad-spectrum labelling must meet a UVA protection standard of at least one-third of the SPF value.
The standard recommendation is 2mg per cm² of skin — which translates to approximately ¼ teaspoon (about 1.25ml) for the face and neck alone. Most people apply far less than this, which dramatically reduces effective SPF. If your SPF 50 is applied at half the recommended amount, you're getting closer to SPF 7 protection. Apply generously, press and pat rather than rub, and don't forget the ears, hairline, and back of the neck.
Yes, when outdoors. SPF degrades with UV exposure and is physically removed by sweat and touching your face. Reapply every two hours when in direct sunlight. For office workers who go from home to car to building, a morning application and one lunchtime reapplication is typically sufficient. SPF powders and mists make reapplication over makeup practical.
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