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What to look for in a sunscreen

Posted by Babu on 27th Oct 2020

What to look for in a sunscreen

Sunscreens often have many ingredients we don’t even know how to pronounce. Many of these may be harmful to your health and the environment. We have created a guide to select a sunscreen that works best for you.


Is it sunscreen or sunblock?

Many people use sunscreen and sunblock as interchangeable terms, however they are not the same thing. The main difference between sunscreen and sunblock is the active ingredients.


What is the difference between sunscreen and sunblock?

Sunscreens/sunblocks are differentiated by the active ingredients. These are the UV filters that do such a great job protecting us from the sun. 


Sunscreens use a chemical-based formula that is absorbed into the skin. Suncreen turns the UV rays into heat, releasing them into the air instead of letting them pass through into your skin.


Sunblocks do just that- block the sun. 

A sunblock creates a physical barrier layer on the skin, reflecting like a mirror to limit the penetration of UV rays. Sunblocks are also know as physical or mineral sunscreens. You can identify a sunblock by looking out for the active ingredients: titanium oxide or zinc oxide. 

What is SPF?

SPF, standing for sun protection factor, measures a formula’s ability to shield against UVB rays.

In New Zealand, the typical time it takes to burn is 10 minutes. The sun protection factor indicates the strength compared to the standard burning time (10 minutes).

A SPF30 sunscreen would give you 30x the standard burning time, meaning you have sun protection for 300 minutes.

What is the best SPF?

In order to select the best SPF, it is important to understand what this really means.

Read our blog about the SPF scale here.


Both our water resistant and everyday sunscreens have a 30+ SPF rating. Although this is high, we recommend reapplying often and generously.

Which sunscreen should I choose?

Now that you know the difference, which type of sun protectant is best for you and your family? 

Healthline recommends the best sun protectants have:

  • 30SPF+
  • Water resistance
  • Broad spectrum protection
Remember that the SPF number on the bottle only indicates UVB protection. It is crucial to look for "Broad Spectrum" to ensure you are also protected by UVA radiation.

Both physical and chemical sunscreens are effective in preventing sun damage. The best sunscreen is one that you will actually use. 


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