Finally: The Answer to Every SPF Question Youve Ever Had, Straight From a Sun-Care Expert – Well+Good

From figuring out what SPF is best for sun protection to differentiating between which kind of sunscreen to use (to spray or not to spray?), theres a lot of info to sift through when it comes to sun care.

Add in conflicting intel (why do some people swear by SPF 100, but others say its not worth it?), and its no wonder people have questions. Thats why we teamed up with Australian Gold to gather our readers SPF FAQsand according to the results, most of us are on the same page: pretty darn confused.

To shed some light on the sun-care situation and finally get the expert-backed answers weve been looking for, we asked Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, and owner of Mudgil Dermatology to give us the lowdown on SPF.

By far the most common question I get from my patients is what they should be using, Dr. Mudgil says. There are many options on the market, which understandably creates additional confusion. (Cue scary-movie montage of all the times youve stared cluelessly at an aisle full of different sunscreen bottles.)

Our readers had the same basic question: What SPF is best for keeping your skin safe from sun damage? Rest assured, Dr. Mudgil answered that Q and more, so keep on scrolling.

Numbers are tough even without getting into the nitty gritty of what they mean in regard to protecting your skin, and Dr. Mudgil knows how you feel. The SPF system is confusing, he says. Bottom line, theres a real difference between SPF 15 and SPF 30, but almost no difference between SPF 30 and SPF 100. So its easy to understand why folks are confused.

According to Dr. Mudgil (and the American Academy of Dermatology, FYI), SPF 30 is the magic number. As long as its SPF 30, thats all that matters, he says. The other important detail is a barrier ingredient like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which physically block the suns rays. Hello, double duty protection.

Australian Golds Botanical Sunscreenwhich comes in body lotions, sprays, and face lotionscontains both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to ensure skin protection, while leaving you with a powder-like finish (no greasy hands here).

No matter where you land on the skin-tone spectrum, Dr. Mudgil says that SPF 30 is still the number to go with. (Noticing a pattern yet?) Where many fail is reapplying every couple of hours, he says. Even if you have a dark skin tone or have created a solid base tan, you should still reapply every two hoursotherwise youre at risk for sun damage.

According to Dr. Mudgil, the short answer is yes. Most foundations usually provide only SPF 15, he says (aka, not SPF 30). So next time youre shopping for foundation, search for one that already contains SPF 30, and make a habit of layering sunscreen underneath your makeup, too. More protection is never a bad thing.

Heres where things get murky: If youre wearing makeup, how do you reapply every two hours without smearing white lotion all over your polished look? It comes down to getting creative with the type of sunscreen you use. Using a powder or spray sunscreen works well in this setting, Dr. Mudgil says. Total game-changer for all your future park and beach days.

No one wants to fall victim to the zig-zag tan lines that are a dead giveaway you used (poorly applied) spray sunscreen, but if you prefer the spray method versus slathering on lotion, you might actually be in luck.

I find a lotion is great for the initial application, and spray is good for reapplication, he says. And if youre looking for a long-lasting, sweat- and water-resistant sunblock, Australian Gold Extreme Sport sunscreens are light, airy, and neutralize odors to keep you feeling fresh all day. Talk about an incentive to reapply.

Now, you can finally take on summer with the confidence youre getting this whole sunscreen thing right, and when your friends and family inevitably have SPF questions, youll be the one with all the answers.

Sponsored by: Australian Gold

Photos: Tim Gibson for Well+Good

Original post:
Finally: The Answer to Every SPF Question Youve Ever Had, Straight From a Sun-Care Expert - Well+Good

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero