Sunscreen is the single most evidence-backed skincare product that exists. Decades of research, mountains of data, dermatologists practically begging people to use it. And yet somehow it's also the product surrounded by the most nonsense. So let's clear some of it up.
"I don't need SPF on cloudy days"
Up to 80% of UV radiation passes through clouds. Eighty percent. That overcast Tuesday in November is still exposing your skin to meaningful UV damage. UVA rays — the ones responsible for premature ageing and deeper skin damage — are present at roughly consistent levels year-round and penetrate through cloud cover and glass. If it's daylight, there's UV.
"SPF 100 is twice as good as SPF 50"
SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays. SPF 50 blocks about 98%. SPF 100 blocks about 99%. The difference between 50 and 100 is roughly one percentage point. That's it. The higher numbers mostly give people a false sense of security — they think they can apply less or skip reapplication. SPF 50 applied properly and reapplied regularly will protect you better than SPF 100 slapped on once and forgotten.
"Chemical sunscreens are dangerous"
This one's been fuelled by a lot of bad-faith reporting. Here's the context: some studies found that certain UV filters (like oxybenzone) can be detected in the bloodstream after application. Detection in blood does not mean harm. The research hasn't established that these levels cause any health effects in humans.
Meanwhile, UV damage is a proven cause of skin cancer. The risk of not wearing sunscreen is well-documented. The risk of wearing chemical sunscreen is theoretical at best. If you're still uncomfortable, mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) are a perfectly good alternative. But please don't skip sunscreen entirely because of headlines. Check our sunscreen ingredient breakdown for the full picture on each UV filter.
"You only need SPF at the beach"
UV exposure is cumulative. The 15 minutes walking to work, the lunch break outside, the drive home — it all adds up. Most of your lifetime UV exposure comes from incidental moments, not holidays. Daily SPF isn't about being paranoid, it's about protecting against the damage that accumulates quietly over years.
"Dark skin doesn't need SPF"
Higher melanin levels do provide some natural UV protection — roughly equivalent to SPF 13. But SPF 13 isn't enough. Darker skin tones are still susceptible to UV damage, hyperpigmentation, and skin cancer. Skin cancer in people of colour is often diagnosed later precisely because of this myth, which leads to worse outcomes. Everyone needs SPF.
How much to actually apply
Most people use about a quarter of what they should. The standard guidance is roughly two milligrams per square centimetre of skin — for your face alone, that's about a quarter teaspoon, or a two-finger length strip. If you're using a light layer, you're getting a fraction of the labelled SPF protection. And you need to reapply every two hours of sun exposure, or after swimming or sweating.
This is one area where the boring advice really is the best advice: pick an SPF 30-50 you actually enjoy wearing, apply enough of it, and reapply. That's the whole secret. We rank daily SPFs here based on actual formulation, not marketing claims — because the best sunscreen is genuinely the one you'll use every day.