The Sun & Your Skin
What SPF should I use?
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is the index that indicates the amount of time it will take UVB rays to penetrate and redden the skin when using sunscreen, compared to how long it would take to redden without using protection. For example a product with a SPF 30 means that it will take 30 times longer to redden the skin when using the product, compared to not applying sunscreen at all.
Which SPF factor you should use for your skin is dependent on your age and your skin type. Complete our SPF guide below to see which SPF factor you are recommended to use.
 SPF is only an indicator about a sunscreen's efficacy against UVB rays to stop you from burning, therefore you should always use a broad spectrum sunscreen product that protects you from UVA as well as it can cause long term damage to your skin. EU recommendation therefore states that UVA protection should be at least one third of the labelled SPF so you should always buy sunscreen that has the UVA symbol on back of pack.
SPF Guide
Your recommended SPF
Select an age to find out!
What age are you?
- 0-5 years
- Use SPF 50+
- Recommended for children aged 0-5 years
- Sunscreen should be used on babies over 6 months old
- NB Care should always be taken to wear UV protective clothing, a hat and stay out of direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm
- 6-10 years
- Use SPF 30-50
- Recommended for children aged 6-10 years
- NB Care should always be taken to wear UV protective clothing, a hat and stay out of direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm
- 11-17 years
- Use SPF 30
- Recommended for children aged 11-17 years
- NB Care should always be taken to wear UV protective clothing, a hat and stay out of direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm
- 18+ years
Your recommended SPF
Select an age to find out!
there are 5 main skin types, choose the one which best matches your skin type to find out a recommended SPF factor (click on figure)
- Type 1 pale white skin
- Use SPF 50+
- Recommended for Skin Type 1 (pale white skin)
change your skin type
- NB Care should always be taken to wear UV protective clothing, a hat and stay out of direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm
- Type 2 light fair skin
- Use SPF 30-50
- Recommended for Skin Type 2 (light fair skin)
change your skin type
- NB Care should always be taken to wear UV protective clothing, a hat and stay out of direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm
- Type 3 darker white skin
- Use SPF 30
- Recommended for Skin Type 3 (darker white skin)
change your skin type
- NB Care should always be taken to wear UV protective clothing, a hat and stay out of direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm
- Type 4 light brown skin
- Use SPF 15-30
- Recommended for Skin Type 4 (light brown skin)
change your skin type
- NB Care should always be taken to wear UV protective clothing, a hat and stay out of direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm
- Type 5 dark brown skin
- Use SPF 15
- Recommended for Skin Type 5 (dark brown skin)
change your skin type
- NB Care should always be taken to wear UV protective clothing, a hat and stay out of direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm
Recommendations regarding what SPF to use have been based on the information that you have provided and should be used as a guide only to prevent your skin from burning. Sunscreen should always be applied liberally and often. If you have concerns about sun protection and your skin seek medical advice.
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