Which SPF Should I Use For My Skin Type?

By Mary Basiadima, 30 April 2020

Let’s start with the basics. What does SPF stand for?

SPF stands for sun protection factor. It is a measure of how long a sunscreen will protect you from the sun’s rays. And yes, the higher the number is the more protection you get.

Let’s talk number…. 

If you would compare SPF 30 and SPF 50; the main difference between them is how often you need to apply your sunscreen.

And, no, that one time you used SPF last summer will not still protect your skin. You actually need to re-apply it if you are spending a long time under the sun and even in winter.

If you are using an SPF 30, you would probably want to re-apply it in 2 hours. On the other hand, SPF 50 would probably be still effective on your skin for up to 4 hours. (Please note that these estimates depend on your skin type. We will get there!)

But isn’t SPF 50 also stronger than SPF 30? 

Yes, it is. If SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB, SPF 50 blocks 98%. So, the difference is not that high, but the effective period is longer.

Well, that was easy, right? But wait. There’s more!

Not every sunscreen is the same. There are 2 main types of sunscreens; which are physical and chemical.

The difference is quite basic.

Best SPF for your skin type 

As we know, you can categorise your skin type as normal, dry, oily, combination skin. When it comes to SPF, we need to look at your skin more in-depth. Such as; acne-prone, mature, or ageing skin. And then you can choose the right SPF for your skin type.

If you don’t know your skin type, you can find it

SPF for normal skin

For those who are lucky enough to have normal skin, every SPF would be suitable to use.

As we mentioned before, chemical sunscreens are more suitable for Laser tattoo removal (Mountroaddental.co.uk) everyday use and easier to mix with your other skincare products and makeup.

All you need to decide is the strength of your SPF. Depending on the weather, if you are not going to spend much time outside, you can choose 15 SPF. But if you are planning to do some gardening under the sun, you can go up to 100 SPF!

You can re-apply your SPF as it is advised on the directions to use.

Expert recommendation; Mesoprotech light water antiaging veil 50+

SPF for oily skin

Midday shine, unsettling makeup, and the greasy look.

If you have oily skin, you must be already familiar with your foundation giving up, and your skin showing a thick layer of grease during the day.

Adding any physical sunscreen to oily skin would cause quite a discomfort and your skin may appear even greasier.

We would recommend you to choose a chemical sunscreen enriched with minerals, so your skin would stay matte during the day while getting protected by the sun’s harmful rays.

People with oily skin usually have the habit of cleaning the excess oil from their face during the day.