Is SPF 100 good for face? (2023)

Is SPF 100 useful?

But the extra protection is negligible. Properly applied SPF 50 sunscreen blocks 98 percent of UVB rays; SPF 100 blocks 99 percent. When used correctly, sunscreen with SPF values between 30 and 50 offers adequate sunburn protection, even for people most sensitive to sunburn.

After that, the difference in protection is small. SPF 50 blocks 98%, and SPF 100 stops 99% of UVB rays from reaching your skin.

Ideally, look for SPF 30 or higher. Know your skin type: If you have dry skin, choose a face sunscreen with hydrating ingredients, says Dr. Zeichner, like hyaluronic acid or ceramides. If you're oily, look for sunscreens made for acne-prone skin,which tend to have a matte finish.

UV rays can still reach your skin and cause a tan, even when you're wearing plenty of sunscreen. In order for your skin to be effectively protected from UV rays, you have to apply your sunscreen correctly, reapply it often, and wear a high enough SPF. Even SPF 100 only blocks 99% of UVB rays.

Experts unequivocally say no. "The benefit is that it affords us about 1 percent more coverage from the UVB burning rays than an SPF of 50," says Ciraldo. "But the risk is not worth it." Instead, for safe, effective sunscreens, select any SPF 30 to 50 with 20 to 25 percent zinc oxide, says Dudley.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97% of the sun's UVB rays. The highest SPF is 100 and blocks out 99% of UVB rays.

Generally, SPF 100 is the highest protection you can buy, but it's not necessarily the best protection against a sunburn. According to Penn State Prevention Research Center, proper and repeated application of sunscreen is more important than the SPF number.

Although high SPF sunscreen might still prevent sunburns, they do not prevent the UVA-induced formation of the harmful free radicals that can lead to melanoma. A broad-spectrum sunscreen can help protect your skin against the dangerous effects of both UVA and UVB rays..

Experts say sunscreens with an SPF higher than 50 aren't worth buying. They only offer marginally better protection. They might also encourage you to stay out in the sun longer. Instead, choose an SPF between 15 and 50, apply liberally, and reapply often.

Everyone, regardless of age, gender or race, should use sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. But what's in your sunscreen may be just as important as the SPF number. While SPF 85 sounds like it offers more protection, higher SPF numbers can be misleading.

What level SPF should I use daily?

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends SPF 15 every day you leave your house and SPF 30 if you plan to be in the sun most of the day. The US Food and Drug Administration, the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend SPF 15 or higher, and to reapply that every two hours.

There are no direct adverse effects of applying a higher SPF, but it can lead to a sun protection routine that is incomplete and needing more. While a product with SPF 50 might give you better protection against UVB rays due to its photochemistry, it might have less UVA protection. Both radiations are equally harmful.

Sunscreen will cause hyperpigmentation if it has any one of these effects. If the sunscreen you wear stresses your skin (some chemical sunscreens can do this), it may cause skin darkening. Secondly, if you use sunscreen that has hormonally-active ingredients (like oxybenzone), it can cause hormonal skin darkening.

Wearing sunscreen on your face will help prevent the worsening of existing hyperpigmentation and the formation of new pigmentation, melasma and dark spots. It can also help to brighten your skin tone by lighting existing pigmented areas.

You sunscreen's SPF is only 100% guaranteed for two hours after you put it on. "When we talk about reapplying sunscreen every two hours, that number comes from how SPF is tested," John Zampella, a dermatologist at NYU Langone Health, said.

In general, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours for consistent protection. However, there is an exception to the rule—if you're sweating or swimming you need to apply more often. To make sure you're protected even when you're active, you should reapply sunscreen at least every 80 minutes.

Generally, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating. If you work indoors and sit away from windows, you may not need a second application.

Men, women and children over 6 months of age should use sunscreen every day. This includes people who tan easily and those who don't — remember, your skin is damaged by sun exposure over your lifetime, whether or not you burn. Babies under the age of 6 months are the only exceptions; their skin is highly sensitive.

Check the SPF.

Chose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, which blocks 97 percent of the sun's UVB rays.

How do I know what SPF to use?

Higher SPF numbers do mean more protection, but the higher you go, the smaller the difference becomes. SPF 15 sunscreens filter out about 93% of UVB rays, while SPF 30 sunscreens filter out about 97%, SPF 50 sunscreens about 98%, and SPF 100 about 99%. No sunscreen protects you completely.

You don't have to put on moisturizer before sunscreen, however, you really should if you care about the over health of your skin and keeping signs of aging at bay. If you are going to use both moisturizer and sunscreen in your skincare routine, putting it on before your mineral sunscreen is best.

Higher SPF sunscreens contains higher concentrations of chemical sunscreen ingredients. It is scientifically shown that chemical (organic) sunscreen ingredients can be absorbed into the skin, and when struck by UV radiation, these can become quite aggressive free radicals, increasing the risk of damage.

However, in fact, some cases are reversed: the more you use sunscreen, the darker your skin, even some people have premature aging such as wrinkles, larger pores, acne and even aging.

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher for any extended outdoor activity.

Aside from protecting your skin from skin cancer and nasty sunburns, SPF has some serious anti-aging benefits, too. A study in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that people reported daily use of sunscreen and dietary antioxidants has little to no signs of skin photo-aging in 4.5 years.

“If you skip rinsing off sunscreen from your skin, it can lead to clogged pores and cause an increase in the production of sebum which can result in acne, blackheads and whiteheads.”

For maximum protection, sunscreen should be applied directly to the skin. Wash using your favorite facial cleanser to remove makeup and oil that could prevent the sunscreen from sticking properly. Then, pat your skin dry. Apply a generous amount of sunscreen.

Besides outstanding advantages such as helping to prevent sunburn and premature aging, sunscreen also has some disadvantages such as causing stickiness, skin irritation in some skin types, and some ingredients being absorbed into the body.

Applied daily, sunscreen can prevent new dark spots and patches. It can also help to clear existing ones. You'll want to apply sunscreen to all skin that clothing won't cover.

What are the side effects of sunscreen?

In general, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours for consistent protection. However, there is an exception to the rule—if you're sweating or swimming you need to apply more often. To make sure you're protected even when you're active, you should reapply sunscreen at least every 80 minutes.

Under ideal conditions (like in a laboratory), a sunscreen with higher SPF protection and broad-spectrum coverage offers more protection against sunburn, UVA damage and DNA damage than comparable products with lower SPF values.

For day-to-day use, pick a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. If you spend time outdoors, choose a product with SPF 60 or greater. In reality, most people do not use as much sunscreen as they should, and this higher SPF helps compensate for the reduced application.

Experts say sunscreens with an SPF higher than 50 aren't worth buying. They only offer marginally better protection. They might also encourage you to stay out in the sun longer. Instead, choose an SPF between 15 and 50, apply liberally, and reapply often.

While wearing sunscreen is better than not wearing any, if you have a choice, it's best to choose a sunscreen with broad-spectrum UV protection of at least SPF 30.

In theory, sunscreen with super-high SPF should give you the best protection against damaging UV radiation. But in practice, it may not work that way. In fact, some experts say using super-high-SPF sunscreens could lead to more UV exposure — upping your risk for both burns and skin cancer.

With the rule of nines, the body's surface area is divided into 11 areas, each representing roughly 9% of the total (box). Sunscreen can be applied to each of these areas at a dose of 2 mg/cm² if two strips of sunscreen are squeezed out on to both the index and middle fingers from the palmar crease to the fingertips.