3 tips on understanding sunscreen labels and what’s the best one for me?

UV radiation is responsible for more than 95% of all skin cancers in Australia. Sunscreen reduces the amount of UV radiation reaching the skin by providing a barrier to absorb or reflect UV away, preventing damage to the cells below. Cancer Council recommends sunscreen use whenever the UV is 3 or above.

The manufacture of sunscreens is strictly regulated by the Australian Government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). All sunscreen ingredients in Australia are approved by the TGA as safe, effective, and low risk. Be wary of products that aren’t TGA approved, aren’t sunscreen or are homemade, as these products won’t have been properly tested for effectiveness and may not provide proper sun protection. Remember to also check the expiry date of the sunscreen and the storage conditions recommended on the label. Most sunscreens should be stored in a cool, dry place.

Cancer Council recommends sunscreen that is at least SPF50 (or higher), broad-spectrum and water-resistant. So long as your sunscreen meets these requirements, the best sunscreen is one that you will use. Choose a sunscreen that you find pleasant and easy to apply, that way you use it regularly. We also recommend you use a cream or lotion sunscreen as they provide a more reliable way of ensuring adequate coverage. We don’t recommend using aerosol sunscreens.

How to read sunscreen labels

1. What do SPF numbers mean?

SPF stands for ‘sun protection factor’. A sunscreen is given an SPF number (of between 4 and 50+) after strict laboratory testing. The higher the SPF number, the more protection the sunscreen provides against sunburn. However, the length of time it takes any one person to sunburn will also be affected by many other things, including:

· UV levels. The higher UV levels are, the more quickly skin damage and sunburn will occur.

· A person’s skin type. Fair skin will burn more quickly than olive or dark skin.

· Swimming/drying

· How well sunscreen has been applied. Most people do not apply enough sunscreen to achieve the SPF protection level stated on the label.

2. What does ‘broad-spectrum’ sunscreen mean?

UV rays from the sun reach the earth in different wavelengths called UVA and UVB. UVA radiation penetrates deep into the skin, affecting the living skin cells that lie under the skin’s surface. Both UVA and UVB contribute to sunburn, skin ageing, eye damage, melanoma, and other skin cancers. Broad-spectrum means that sunscreen provides protection against both UVA and UVB radiation.

3. What is ‘water-resistant’ sunscreen?

Water-resistant sunscreen does not come off the skin during swimming or exercise, provided it is not wiped off. While a label may state a sunscreen is ‘4 hours water-resistant’, sunscreen still needs to be applied every two hours and after swimming, sweating or towel drying to maintain the same level of protection. It is also important to apply 20 minutes before being exposed to UV. For a full-body application, apply at least seven teaspoons 20 minutes before heading outdoors and reapply every two hours after your last application.

Is sunscreen enough?

Sunscreen is not a suit of armour. Whilst it is an important sun protection measure, sunscreen should never be used as the only line of defence against sun damage. When the UV is 3 or above, be sure to:

· Slip on some sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible. This offers the best protection.

· Slop on SPF50 (or higher), broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen.

· Slap on a hat – broad brim or legionnaire style to protect your face, head, neck and ears.

· Seek shade.

· Slide on some sunglasses – make sure they meet Australian Standards.