When it comes to exercising, there's strength in numbers, but that's not necessarily true when the subject is sunscreen. Compared to your 50 SPF sunscreen, one that has 100 SPF might give the impression that your product is inadequate. According to dermatologists interviewed by The New York Times, swapping out your 50 SPF for the 100 isn't a necessary move.
Sunscreen brands have been consistently raising the SPF bar. Coppertone started it with last year's groundbreaking launch of SPF 70+, followed by the introduction of SPF 85 from Neutrogena and Banana Boat, and most recently Neutrogena's 100 SPF sunblock. The numbers cause consumer confusion, but Dr. David M. Pariser, the president of the American Academy of Dermatology, says, "As you get higher and higher, it’s not really a practical difference."
To learn what is truly important about sunscreen, read more.
The Times points out the marginal difference in UVB protection: SPF 100 blocks 99 percent of UVB rays, SPF 50 blocks 98 percent, and SPF 30 protects against 96.7 percent of UVB rays. Some doctors argue that ditching your bottle of 30 or 50 for a higher SPF could lead to a false sense of security about staying in the sun longer without reapplying.
Dermatologists suggest that, rather than becoming consumed with the SPF number, it's more important to focus on wearing enough sunscreen. A full shot glass of the stuff should do the trick. What else do you know about sunscreen?
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I've always wondered this! I use SPF 15 and 30 , but I think my La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 15 with Mexoryl is a miracle sunscreen, even at a low SPF.
My friend used it when we were in Hawaii and he's extremely fair, he used the SPF 15 on his front but forgot his back, we were 2hrs in the sun at mid-day and his back got tomato red but his front was still perfectly his natural color . . .ever since then I've never thought I needed anything stronger than my 15 (except the occasional times I use the 30) bc this was proof enough for me that my La Roche-Posay SPF 15 was sufficient!
1I think SPF 100 is overkill - I never use more than SPF 30 and don't burn because I make sure to apply it every hour and when I get out of the water at the beach/pool. I think it's better to go overboard with reapplying than with the SPF number on the bottle.
2I use SPF 15 and 30 and never had a problem. I actually read somewhere years ago that anything over SPF 30 only gave the sense of security, rather than an actual increase in sun protection (other than a negligible difference), and the numbers above pretty much show that to be true.
3Get a life, Neutrogena. We're not fooled by your lame marketing ploys.
4I use the highest I can get. I figure, it's not more expensive so why not? I live in an area that gets up to 120 degrees in the summer, just walking to my mailbox I can get a sunburn. I would rather just lather up with the highest I can get my hands on. I mean, what is it hurting?
5I think this just gives the illusion that you don't have to reapply because you're that much more protected.
6I use SPF 30 religiously, and reapply often. I don't think I'll be buying the SPF 100, it seems to me to give a false sense of protection. Reapplying often is the key!
7Nothing less than SPF 45 for me. Like Renee I live in a very hot climate. You walk outside it feels like the you open the door to a hot oven, your skin just sizzles. I think main objective is that just because you're wearing a higher SPF doesn't mean you need reapply less.
8100? What a joke. For me, 30 or so is okay and I think that, for paler people, 40 or 50 would be enough. This is only marketing: pointless.
9Actually, I use this for my surgery scars and on a freshly lasered tattoo. (I had just got one removed) Scars+UV rays= darker scars.
10Interesting. What I have now is SPF 45, but I guess when it's time to stock up I'll go with the 30 or 15 if it's cheaper.
11i've had cancer. it's not fun. 99% of uv protection is more than 97% or 96.7% and it is worth it.
12I will be trying the SPF 100. I can go outside in a SPF 50, and burn in 5 minutes. 99% is still better than 97% in my book.
13I'm mostly a 15 girl, with an occasional 30 if I'm going to be out for a long time w/o reapplication. And I'm super pale, it works fine for me.
14I use a body lotion with SPF 15 when I am going to be in and out of the sun quickly and then SPF 45 for outdoor workouts mid-day and extended periods. I have very fair skin, red hair and freckles. I am prone to sunburns and can become dark red within 15 minutes of sun exposure without sunscreen. It doesn't help I live in Texas either. I am a fanatic when it comes to coverage.
15A high SPF is totally meaningless. The incremental 1% UVB protection is meaningless unless you put on enough and you're loading up on excess chemicals on your body that are mainly focused on UVB! The MAIN point is that Neutrogena is not necessarily guaranteeing a high level of UVA protection. Only Avobenzone, Mexoryl SX (in Anthelios sunscreens) and physical blockers provide UVA protection. All of their advertising is bunk - even for their spf 100 ad, you can see their UVA protection is similar to what they compare themselves with - an SPF 50 spray or 30 cream!
161% is 1%. The sunscreen is no different, but I'll take what I can get...100 SPF is better than 50 SPF, even if the difference is small. My 4 year old is a red head with very pale skin.
17Considering most people are not applying enough sunscreem, maybe a higher spf would be helpful. We should be applying about a shot glasses worth on each outing. So if we are not applying that much and not getting full coverage, if you upped the spf then at least the coverage might be better.
18just a thought.
well, seeing as I burn through SPF 50, I think the higher SPFs are a good thing. I've been using SPF 85 from neutrogena and have been in the sun swimming over two hours the past couple days and haven't gotten even a little pink.
I have the palest skin, if I didn't have dark hair and eyes, I'd be albino. My skin doesn't tan, at all. I only have some freckles (and less and less on my face these days, as I burnt most of them off about 10 years ago when I got a 2nd degree sunburn).
So I don't care what you say, I'm grateful they finally came out with the higher SPF, I no longer have to suffer.
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