Skincare Essentials
Sunscreen 101: SPF Explained, How to Choose the Right One & How to Apply It Properly
Consider your skin to be a castle — a gorgeous fortification worthy of royal protection. Sunscreen is your daily guardian against UV radiation, helping prevent sunburn, premature ageing, and lowering the risk of skin cancer. If you’re chasing healthy, radiant skin, SPF isn’t optional — it’s the foundation.
In this guide, we’ll decode SPF, compare SPF 30 vs SPF 50, show you how to pick the best sunscreen for your skin type, and walk you through the correct way to apply it for maximum protection.
The Importance of Wearing Sunscreen
Sunscreen is more than just “anti-sunburn.” It’s your daily shield against UVA (ageing rays) and UVB (burning rays). With consistent use, sunscreen helps reduce sun damage, the appearance of fine lines and dark marks, and supports long-term skin health.
- Helps prevent sunburn and inflammation
- Protects against premature ageing (fine lines, loss of firmness)
- Helps prevent hyperpigmentation and dark marks from worsening
- Reduces long-term UV risk (including skin cancer)
Understanding SPF: What Is It?
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) indicates how well a sunscreen protects your skin from UVB rays. The higher the SPF, the stronger the UVB protection — but remember: no sunscreen offers 100% protection.
Think of SPF as a time multiplier. If your skin usually starts to burn after 10 minutes of sun exposure, SPF 30 theoretically gives you about 300 minutes of protection (10 × 30). But sweat, rubbing, swimming, and not applying enough product all reduce real-world protection — which is why correct application and reapplication are non-negotiable.
SPF 30 Sunscreen: A Trustworthy Companion for Daily Ventures
SPF 30 is the “daily driver” of sun protection: broad-spectrum protection that feels lightweight and comfortable for everyday life. It filters about 97% of UVB rays, making it a reliable option for commuting, errands, school runs, and regular outdoor time.
If you’re indoors most of the day but still get incidental exposure (windows, driving, brief outdoor moments), SPF 30 can be a great fit — as long as you’re applying enough and reapplying when needed.
Everyday wear, short outdoor exposure, and anyone who prefers a lighter feel.
SPF 50 Sunscreen: Maximum Defense Mode
SPF 50 is your “maximum defence mode” choice. It filters about 98% of UVB rays and is ideal when you’ll be outdoors for longer periods or when you want extra reassurance—especially for kids, sensitive skin, or pigmentation-prone skin.
Think beach days, hiking, outdoor sports, long drives, or any time you’ll be sweating, swimming, or in intense sun. SPF 50 doesn’t mean you can skip reapplication—it means your baseline protection is higher.
- Prolonged outdoor exposure
- Sports, sweating, swimming
- Hyperpigmentation, melasma, or post-acne marks
- Sensitive skin that flushes easily
How to Choose the Right Sunscreen for Your Skin Type: The Perfect Fit
Sunscreens aren’t one-size-fits-all—because skin isn’t either. The best sunscreen is the one you’ll happily wear every day. Use your skin type as your guide:
- Oily / acne-prone skin: choose an oil-free, gel-based, or “dry touch” formula that won’t feel heavy.
- Dry skin: go for more hydrating, nourishing formulas (cream textures often feel best).
- Combination skin: look for adaptable formulas—lightweight but moisturising, with a comfortable finish.
- Sensitive skin: fragrance-free is your friend. Mineral options can be a good fit if your skin reacts easily.
Look for broad-spectrum protection, and choose a texture you’ll actually wear daily—comfort = consistency.
Applying Sunscreen Correctly for Maximum Protection: Mastering the Art
Sunscreen only works at full strength when applied correctly. Here’s the step-by-step guide to unlock maximum protection.
Step 1: Clean skin
Start with a clean face so your sunscreen adheres properly and forms an even protective layer.
Step 2: Dispense the right amount
Amount matters more than most people realise. As a general rule: about 1/3 of a teaspoon (≈ 0.04 oz) for your face, and about 2 tablespoons (≈ 1 oz) for your body.
Step 3: Rub it in
Gently massage sunscreen into the skin using upward motions. Don’t forget commonly missed areas: ears, neck, hands, and feet.
Step 4: Protect your lips too
Use an SPF lip balm. Lips are delicate and often overlooked—yet they burn easily and show sun damage quickly.
Step 5: Timing is crucial
Apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before sun exposure so it can settle and form a consistent protective film.
Step 6: Reapply
Reapply every 2 hours, and more often if you’re swimming, sweating, or towel-drying. This is where most routines fall apart— but it’s also where the real protection lives.
If you’re wearing makeup, consider a sun stick or SPF mist for easier top-ups—reapplication should be practical, not perfect.
Top SPF recommendations
Looking for a solid starting point? Here are a few top sunscreen picks to explore:
- Beauty of Joseon – Relief Sun Rice & Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++
- COSRX – Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++
- Eucerin – Sun Gel-Crème Oil Control Dry Touch Face SPF50+
- La Roche-Posay – Anthelios XL Comfort Cream SPF50+
- NIVEA – Sun Protect & Moisture Moisturising Sun Spray SPF50+
Protect your glow daily with SPF that fits your skin type and lifestyle.
Shop nowKey takeaway
The warm hug of the sun on your skin is bliss—but UV rays can quietly damage your skin barrier, accelerate ageing, and deepen dark marks. Sunscreen is the hidden hero of every skincare routine.
Once you understand SPF, choose the right formula for your skin type, and apply it correctly (with enough product + reapplication), you’ll be able to embrace the sun confidently—protected, radiant, and sun-safe.
