Protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays is important year-round. Sunscreens come in varying levels of protection marked by their SPF number. SPF stands for sun protection factor. SPF indicates how well a sunscreen protects your skin from UVB rays. In general, the SPF number indicates how much longer you can stay exposed to the sun before getting sunburned when wearing sunscreen, as opposed to without sunscreen. For example, if your skin would normally burn after 10 minutes in the sun, applying an SPF 15 sunscreen would allow you to stay in the sun without burning for 150 minutes (SPF factor 15 x 10 minutes).
Knowing which SPF you should use is dependent on a number of factors, including your skin type, intensity of sunlight, and the amount of sunscreen you use. The SPF is a relative measure of the protection provided by a sunscreen to prevent sunburn.
Understanding SPF Levels
When used properly, an SPF of 30 protects the skin from 97% of UVB rays. With an SPF 50, the protection is 98%. The difference in protection between SPF 30 and SPF 50 is minor, helping to stop 97% vs. 98% of the sun’s UVB rays, respectively. Therefore, SPF 50 will protect your face slightly better than SPF 30. It is crucial to note that applying too little sunscreen or uneven coverage will not provide you with the full effectiveness of the SPF. While using any sunscreen is better than nothing, it is not recommended to use a sunscreen below SPF 15.
Dispelling Myths About Skin Tone and Sun Protection
There is a common misconception that the higher concentration of melanin (which produces skin pigment) in people with darker skin protects them from sun damage. Science shows that people of color can get sunburned, have pigment changes, and get skin cancer. Furthermore, skin cancer is often diagnosed later in people of color, when it’s harder to treat.
Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreens
Mineral sunscreen, also known as physical sunscreen, creates a physical barrier on the skin’s surface and protects the skin by deflecting the sun’s UV rays. Chemical sunscreen layers onto the skin and helps to protect the skin by absorbing UV rays as opposed to deflecting them. Both mineral and chemical sunscreens are effective at protecting skin from the sun. Mineral sunscreens are often considered more suitable for sensitive skin.
Eucerin Sun: Formulations for Every Skin Type
Whether you have skin showing signs of aging, acne-prone skin, or dry skin, Eucerin Sun offers specific formulations that provide broad-spectrum sun protection for all skin tones while addressing your specific skin type.
Advanced Hydration for Face and Body
Enjoy the moisturizing benefits of Eucerin’s Advanced Hydration SPF 50 sunscreen, formulated in an ultra-light fluid specifically designed for use on the face. Eucerin® Sun Advanced Hydration SPF 50 Sunscreen is a lightweight sunscreen lotion formulated with Hyaluronic Acid and humectants to attract and replenish skin’s natural moisture, for an immediate and long-lasting (8-hour) effect with a non-sticky feel. This broad-spectrum sunscreen easily rubs into the skin with an invisible finish, is hypoallergenic, and won’t clog pores. Suitable for sensitive skin and for daily use on both the face and the body, Eucerin® Advanced Hydration SPF 50 sunscreen is free of dyes, fragrances, parabens, PABA, phthalates, oxybenzone, and octinoxate.
Sensitive Skin Solutions
While all Eucerin® Sun sunscreens are appropriate for all skin types, including sensitive skin, if you have particularly sensitive skin, you may want to consider a mineral sunscreen such as Eucerin® Sun Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen. Formulated with 100% naturally sourced Zinc Oxide mineral filter, this mineral sunscreen provides a lightweight feel with no heavy residue. It is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores), providing broad-spectrum SPF 50 UVA/UVB sun protection in a gentle, mild formula that’s suitable for sensitive skin.
Eucerin® Sun Sensitive Tinted Mineral SPF 35 Face Sunscreen combines daily mineral sun protection on the face with a sheer tint that blends seamlessly into all skin tones. This tinted face sunscreen provides Broad Spectrum SPF 35 UVA/UVB sun protection based on a mineral filter (100% Naturally Sourced Zinc Oxide), and dries clear, leaving a matte finish and no visible residue. This lightweight sunscreen comes in a unique, premium pump dispenser and provides a gentle formula that does not irritate sensitive or delicate facial skin. Plus, it is non-comedogenic, so it does not clog pores and is suitable for daily use under makeup.
Anti-Aging Protection
Exposure to the sun can cause premature signs of aging. With a hypoallergenic formula suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, this face sunscreen provides an invisible finish for use under makeup, leaving skin feeling smooth and hydrated. Enjoy all of the benefits of Eucerin® Sun Age Defense sunscreen in a formula with a blendable tint that blends seamlessly into all skin tones for more even-looking, radiant skin with Eucerin® Sun Tinted Age Defense SPF 50 Face Sunscreen. This tinted facial sunscreen, formulated with Hyaluronic Acid, helps to visibly reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles with continuous use after one week. It can be used on its own or under makeup.
Formulations for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin
If you have oily, acne-prone skin, all Eucerin sunscreens, both chemical and mineral, are specially formulated to be non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores). For oily skin, Eucerin® Clear Skin SPF 50 Face Sunscreen provides broad-spectrum SPF 50 UVA/UVB sun protection in a formula that leaves a dry touch and invisible finish. Made for those with oily, acne-prone skin, this daily face sunscreen is formulated with 5 antioxidants and oil-absorbing minerals and comes in a convenient premium pump dispenser.
Understanding Broad Spectrum Protection
Broad spectrum sunscreen means that sunscreen helps to protect the skin against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. SPF often refers to protection from UVB rays, which are associated with causing a visible sunburn. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and are linked to tanning and sun-induced signs of premature aging, but can also lead to skin cancer. It was once common for sunscreens to only protect against UVB rays, but further research has shown how dangerous UVA rays are.
Daily Sunscreen Application and Reapplication
Dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen every day throughout the year, even in winter or on cloudy days. UV rays can still reach the skin in colder weather and on overcast days. Using an ultra-lightweight facial sunscreen like Eucerin® Sun Advanced Hydration Ultra-Light SPF 50 Face Sunscreen with broad-spectrum sun protection is easy to apply to the skin for layering under makeup or an invisible finish as-is.
It is important to reapply sunscreen, regardless of SPF, at least once every two hours, and more often if swimming or sweating.
Post-Sun Skincare
After a day of fun in the sun, it’s important to care for your skin and ensure that you keep it moisturized. Eucerin® Advanced Hydration After Sun Lotion instantly hydrates upon application and provides long-lasting moisturization to sun-stressed skin for 24 hours. Eucerin Advanced Hydration After Sun Lotion is non-comedogenic (won't clog pores) and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Also hypoallergenic, this face and body lotion for dry skin is free of parabens, dyes, and phthalates.
Eucerin Sun's Antioxidant Protection
Eucerin® Sun is a dermatological sun care enriched with 5 antioxidants (Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Licochalcone A, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and Oxynex® ST) to help defend against long-term sun damage. This sun care line’s formula with 5 antioxidants and 3 modes of defense neutralizes free radicals, helps guard against their formation, and helps defend against natural antioxidant breakdown.