Beyond the Numbers: Decoding SPF Labels and Understanding Skin Cancer Foundation Recommendations

We've all stood in the skincare aisle, staring at rows of sunscreen bottles adorned with various numbers, acronyms, and seals of approval. SPF 30, SPF 50+, Broad Spectrum, Water Resistant, Skin Cancer Foundation Recommended, but what do these terms mean? And more importantly, how reliable are those reassuring approval seals?

Today, we're pulling back the curtain on sunscreen terminology and the Skin Cancer Foundation's recommendation process to help you become a more informed consumer.

Demystifying SPF Terminology

What SPF Really Means

 SPF (Sun Protection Factor) specifically measures protection against UVB rays, the ones that cause sunburn. Contrary to popular belief, SPF 30 doesn't provide twice the protection of SPF 15. Here's the actual protection breakdown:

• SPF 15 blocks approximately 93% of UVB rays
• SPF 30 blocks approximately 97% of UVB rays
• SPF 50 blocks approximately 98% of UVB rays
• SPF 100 blocks approximately 99% of UVB rays

 The difference between SPF 50 and SPF 100 is minimal, just 1% more protection, yet many consumers assume SPF 100 provides twice the protection of SPF 50.

Star Rating and why is this missing from PCA Skin labels?

The star rating on bottles of sunscreen represents the amount of UVA protection. This is a system used in the UK and other EU countries, where a star rating of up to 5 stars, the higher the stars the better, it present on packaging. This scaling system will not be present on brands manufactured outside of the UK/EU and more global standardisations will be present instead.

The letters ‘UVA’ inside a circle is a European marking. This means the UVA protection is at least a third of the SPF value and meets EU recommendations.

‘Broad Spectrum’ Is Non-Negotiable

While SPF only measures UVB protection, ‘Broad Spectrum’ indicates that a product also protects against UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin and contribute to premature aging and skin cancer. Any sunscreen without this designation leaves you vulnerable to significant UV damage, regardless of its SPF number.

Water Resistant VS Waterproof

No sunscreen is truly waterproof or sweat proof, which is why the FDA no longer allows these claims. Products labelled ‘water resistant’ maintain their stated SPF level for either 40 or 80 minutes of swimming or sweating. After this time, protection diminishes significantly, making reapplication essential.

The ‘Apply Liberally’ Truth

Most people apply only 25-50% of the recommended amount of sunscreen. Laboratory SPF testing uses 2mg of product per square centimetre of skin, that's about a 10p-sized dollop for just your face alone. Using less means you're getting significantly less protection than the labelled SPF value. As a guide for full body application, adults should aim to use around 6-8 teaspoons, and application should take place a minimum of 20 minutes before exposure.

The Skin Cancer Foundation Seal: What Does It Really Mean? And why does this appear on PCA Skin products.

That reassuring Seal of Recommendation on your sunscreen bottle represents a specific validation process, but it's important to understand what it does and doesn't guarantee.

Two Types of Seals

The Skin Cancer Foundation offers two types of recommendations:

1. Daily Use Seal: For products intended for every day, incidental sun exposure (like walking to your car) this is what our PCA Skin SPF range have.
2. Active Seal: For products designed for extended outdoor activities (like hiking or swimming) this is not present on PCA Skin SPFs.

The Testing Process

For a product to earn the Skin Cancer Foundation's recommendation, it must undergo the following process:

1. Documentation Review: The manufacturer submits product details, including active ingredients, SPF testing results, and stability data.
2. Independent Testing: For the Daily Use Seal, products must have an SPF of 15+ and pass a critical wavelength test for UVA protection. For the Active Seal, products need SPF 30+ and must pass more rigorous water resistance testing.
3. Dermatologist Review: A committee of photobiologists and dermatologists evaluates the data before granting approval.
4. Fee Payment: Manufacturers pay an application fee and annual licensing fees to display the seal on their products.

What the Seal Doesn't Tell You

The recommendation confirms that a product meets minimum sun protection standards, but doesn't:

• Compare effectiveness between recommended products.
• Evaluate cosmetic elegance, texture, or user experience.
• Rank products against each other

Making Informed Decisions

Armed with this knowledge, how should you choose your sun protection?

1. Look beyond marketing claims: Higher SPF doesn't always mean substantially better protection.
2. Prioritise broad-spectrum protection: This ensures defence against both UVA and UVB rays.
3. Consider the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal as one factor: It indicates the product meets basic efficacy standards but isn't the only quality indicator.
4. Application matters more than SPF number: The best sunscreen is one you'll use correctly and consistently. Apply the recommended amount and reapply every two hours or after swimming/sweating.
5. Remember that sunscreen is just one part of sun protection: Wide-brimmed hats, sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, and seeking shade remain equally important.

Understanding sunscreen terminology and certification processes helps cut through marketing hype to make choices that truly protect your skin's health. After all, informed consumers make better decisions, especially when it comes to preventing skin cancer.