Everything You've Ever Wondered About Sunscreen

Still Not Sure What SPFReally Means? Which One To Choose? Or How To Actually Use It? Weve Got You Covered.

- Lauren Balsamo

‘IF I USE SPF15 PRIMER AND SPF30 MOISTURISER, IS THAT LIKE WEARING SPF45?’ A: The maths doesn’t add up in your favour. At best, you’ll get the higher of the numbers you apply; at worst, you’ll dilute the products and get something in between, says dermatologist Dr Rachel Nazarian. Think of it like milk, she says. ‘If you have a cup of 2% milk, then add another cup of 2%, it doesn’t become 4%.’

‘I’VE HEARD I’M SUPPOSED TO USE SPF ON MY SCALP. WON’T THAT WRECK MY HAIR?’

A: Your parting is especially vulnerable to sun damage, says dermatologist Dr Joshua Zeichner. Lightweight spray sunscreens for scalp and hair will prevent the greasy look. Or wear a hat: look for one that’s dark and tightly woven with a brim at least 8cm wide, ideally with a high UPF rating.

‘IS IT SAFE TO USE SPRAY SUNSCREEN?’

A: The issue is inhalation. Some ingredients may be lung irritants, says dermatologist Dr Anne Chapas. It’s best used on adults (kids are often squirmy targets) and, Chapas cautions, never on the face. Make sure skin glistens before you rub it in, and spritz two full coats every time you apply or reapply. Try Nivea Sun SPF 50+ Moisturising Sun Spray (R172,95).

‘IS MY BEACH UMBRELLA DOING ANYTHING?’

A: Sort of. Pick one that’s opaque, UPF-rated and large enough to cover your entire body. ‘But even if you sit under it all day, you still need to reapply sunscreen every two hours,’ says Nazarian. A recent Johnson & Johnson study found that people were more likely to get burnt sitting under an umbrella without SPF than sitting directly in the sun with SPF, probably because shade doesn’t block UV light from all angles.