Sun Safety

Learn the science. Wear it anyway.

The Sun Doesn’t Take Days Off
Neither does UV damage. A morning run, a drive with the windows down, lunch outside — it all adds up. You don’t need to be at the beach to need protection. You just need to be outside.

 

UVA vs UVB — What’s the Difference?
Two types of UV rays reach your skin every day. UVB rays cause sunburn — they’re the ones that turn you red. UVA rays go deeper, penetrating into the dermis and causing premature ageing, pigmentation, and long-term cellular damage. UVA rays are present year-round, even on cloudy days, even through glass. Broad-spectrum protection covers both.

What SPF Actually Means
What SPF Actually Means
SPF — Sun Protection Factor — measures how long it takes UV rays to redden protected skin versus unprotected skin. SPF 30 means it takes 30 times longer for UVB rays to cause damage than with no protection. But here’s what it doesn’t mean: SPF 30 does not mean 30 minutes of protection. Time is irrelevant. What matters is reapplication.
SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays. SPF 50 blocks 98%. The difference is smaller than most people think. No sunscreen blocks 100%.
The number on the bottle assumes you apply the correct amount — about half a teaspoon for your face, two tablespoons for your body. Most people apply 25–50% of that. Which means your SPF 50 is performing more like SPF 25.
Wear it. Apply enough.Reapply every 2 hours. After swimming or sweating, reapply after 40 minutes.

How to Actually Apply It
Apply 15 minutes before sun exposure. For your face — half a teaspoon. For your body — two tablespoons.Reapply every 2 hours. After swimming or sweating, reapply after 40 minutes. Don’t forget your ears, the back of your neck, and the tops of your feet.

Do You Need It on Cloudy Days?
Yes. Up to 80% of UV rays penetrate cloud cover. Overcast doesn’t mean protected. The UV index is your friend — check it before you head out.

What Reef-Safe Actually Means
There’s no legal standard for “reef-safe.” It’s a marketing term with no regulation behind it. What matters is the formula — specifically the active filters. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are the two most strongly linked to coral bleaching. Check your ingredient list before you swim.

Read More in the Journal
→ How to Actually Apply SPF
→ Mineral vs Chemical Sunscreen: What Actually Matters
→ What Makes Sunscreen Reef-Safe
→ How to Read a Sunscreen Label