Is SPF 50 good for daily use? (2023)

Should I wear SPF 50 every day?

Wearing sunscreen every day on exposed skin, like your face, ears, and back of the hands is a good idea to protect you from UV damage.

Dermatologists recommend using an SPF of at least 30, which Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, a dermatologist practicing in New York, calls "the magic number". SPF 15 blocks about 93 percent of UVB rays, while SPF 30 blocks about 97 percent of UVB rays. The ADA recommends an SPF of 30 or higher.

Berson: An SPF 50 offers a high level of protection and is best for those with a history of skin cancer or those that are fair skinned or at higher risk for skin cancer. An SPF 15 covers 93% of UVB rays and an SPF 30 covers 97% of UVB rays.

When used correctly, sunscreen with SPF values between 30 and 50 offers adequate sunburn protection, even for people most sensitive to sunburn. High SPF products may pose greater health risks. High SPF products require higher concentrations of sun-filtering chemicals than low SPF sunscreens do.

A sunscreen's sun protection factor (SPF) is only fully effective for two hours after you put it on. Experts recommend carrying a bottle of SPF 30 to SPF 50 sunscreen around with you, even on cloudy or rainy summer days, so you can throw some on if the sun comes out.

So ideally, with SPF 30 it would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you weren't wearing sunscreen. An SPF 30 allows about 3 percent of UVB rays to hit your skin. An SPF of 50 allows about 2 percent of those rays through.

What kind of sunscreen is best for the face? Ensuring that you're applying enough SPF is also crucial. “I recommend looking for a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher, and re-applying it every two hours,” says Dr. Gohara.

The difference between a SPF 40 is you block out 97.5% of UVB radiation and SPF 50 blocks 98%. This is a very small difference for the cost of purchasing a SPF 50. More important than using a super high SPF is using enough sunscreen.

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

Why SPF 50 is best?

“SPF stands for sun protection factor, which is the ability of the sunscreen to absorb UVB rays,” says Dermatologist Dr. Geetika, founder of clinic Influennz. “SPF 15 blocks 94% UVB rays, whereas SPF 30 blocks 97% UVB and SPF 50 blocks 98% UVB. Therefore, it's a good idea to opt for SPF 50 even on a daily basis.

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.

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. Be mindful of how often you step outside, though.

However, the SPF in sunscreen is a large molecule, which when applied to the skin during sleep at night will create larger pores. Therefore, it is important in skin care with sunscreen to apply it during the day but always wash it off before going to bed.

Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Face Sunscreen SPF 50

Wexler said this mineral sunscreen is a “very thin liquid,” which gives it a lightweight feel and makes it a particularly good option for those with sensitive or acne–prone skin to use daily.

However, all skin types can get sun burned and suffer damage from UV rays. Therefore, dermatologists recommend that everyone use sunscreen of at least SPF 30.

SPF 30 or higher

The American Cancer Society recommends using a sunscreen that's at least SPF 30. A 2012 review suggests that when used properly, SPF 30 sunscreen will block about 97 percent of UVB rays.

So, how long does sunblock* last on skin? Usually, you can rely on your sunscreen for protection for up to two hours. However, your sunscreen will only last about 40 to 80 minutes with water (or sweat) exposure.

What age should you start using SPF?

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.

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.

Check the SPF.

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

They can be misleading:

Wrong. The extra protection is negligible. SPF 15 protects against around 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 protects against 97 percent, and SPF 50 offers around 98 percent. If you go towards SPF 100, there is only 1% difference, with 99% protection if used correctly.

Generally, I recommend reapplying every two hours. Be sure to use enough product — about one ounce for your entire body — to achieve the full broad-spectrum protection of the sunscreen. Even if you're inside all day, wearing sunscreen on any exposed skin is still important.

Wearing sunscreen daily saves you from years of visible damage later. Sunscreen protects every skin type. If you have a darker complexion, the melanin in your skin offers some protection from sunburns, but you still need to protect your skin from those harmful ultraviolet rays.

Sunscreen helps protect against photoageing, cellular DNA damage and hyperpigmentation, so you should wear sunscreen every day as part of your skincare routine. To prevent sunburn, reduce the risk of skin cancer, and decrease the likelihood of early skin ageing we recommend you wear sunscreen every day.

Who should use sunscreen? The short answer is everyone! 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.

Technically, yes. With SPF 50, 2% of UV rays are able to penetrate the skin. That's how you're still able to get a tan even with a high SPF.

SPF 15 would take 150 minutes, while SPF 50, 500 minutes.

Does sunscreen make skin glow?

"Sunscreens can leave a glowy finish with ingredients that reflect light, or by having a good base of hydrating ingredients to improve the quality of the skin while they protect it," says Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist.

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.

Increased risk of skin cancer. Sunburn. Skin discoloration (age spots, sun spots, hyperpigmentation, freckles, etc.) Wrinkles and other signs of aging.

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.

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.

Dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97% of the sun's UVB rays. Higher-number SPFs block slightly more of the sun's UVB rays, but no sunscreen can block 100% of the sun's UVB rays.

In general you should use an SPF of 30 or higher on your face. But if you have sensitive, fair skin, or a family history of skin cancer, then you may need to go even higher. It's also important to note that SPF does not protect against UVA rays.