When you're standing in front of the sunscreen shelf, it's one of the most common questions: Should I choose SPF 30 or SPF 50?
Many believe that SPF 50 protects twice as well as SPF 30, but the difference is actually smaller than most people expect. However, this doesn't mean the choice is insignificant. The right SPF depends on your skin type, where you are, and how much time you spend in the sun.
Health authorities recommend at least SPF 30
Danish health authorities currently recommend that you use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 – even when you are in Denmark. This recommendation has been tightened as we learn more about the sun's effects on the skin and the risk of skin cancer. Therefore, SPF 30 should be considered the minimum protection when you are in the sun.
What does SPF actually mean?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and indicates how well the sunscreen protects against UVB rays – the rays that primarily cause sunburn. If you use sunscreen correctly:
- SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays
- SPF 50 blocks about 98% of UVB rays
The difference may seem small, but the extra protection can be valuable, especially if you have fair skin, spend a long time in the sun, or do not apply the recommended amount of sunscreen.
When is SPF 30 the right choice?
SPF 30 is a good choice for many adults in their daily lives. It is suitable for:
- Ordinary summer days in Denmark
- Shorter stays outdoors
- People with normal or lightly tanned skin
- Daily use on the face and body
If you spend shorter periods in the sun and remember to reapply sunscreen, SPF 30 will often be sufficient.
When should you choose SPF 50?
SPF 50 provides a little extra security and is especially recommended for:
- Very fair skin
- Children
- Beach trips
- Pool and swimming
- Holidays in the south
- High UV index
- Long days outdoors
If you often get red or sunburned by the sun, SPF 50 is usually the best choice.
Your skin type plays a role
Very fair skin with freckles and light hair often gets red quickly and should usually be protected with SPF 50.
Fair skin tolerates the sun a little better, but will still greatly benefit from SPF 30 or SPF 50 depending on the UV index.
If you have tanned or darker skin, you may not get sunburned as easily, but your skin can still be damaged by UV rays. Therefore, sunscreen is still recommended as an essential part of sun protection.
The most important thing is not the SPF number
Many people only focus on the SPF number, but the biggest mistake is often using too little sunscreen. To achieve the protection stated on the bottle, you should:
- Apply a generous amount
- Reapply every two hours
- Reapply after swimming or heavy sweating
A correctly applied SPF 30 protects better than an SPF 50 applied in a thin layer.
Our recommendation
For most adults, SPF 30 is an excellent choice for daily use. If you have very fair skin, are going on holiday to the south, to the beach, or simply want the highest possible protection, we recommend SPF 50.
However, the most important thing is not whether it says 30 or 50 on the bottle. The most important thing is that you use sunscreen every time the sun is strong – and remember to reapply it throughout the day.
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