The Difference Between SPF 30 and SPF 50

At KINeSYS one of our missions is to empower people with the knowledge to stay protected from the sun. So let's unpack the cryptic world of SPF. What does it stand for? Do the numbers really matter? How does SPF relate to the different types of sun rays? The KINeSYS team is here to uncover the facts, and help you to understand what they mean for you.

Sun Protection Factor

UVB rays are the ones that cause sunburn when you have been indulging in a little too much time outdoors, without adequate protection. SPF stands for ‘sun protection factor’ and indicates the level of protection a product offers from the sun’s harmful UVB rays. 

When we look at the difference between SPF levels, SPF 30 and SPF 50 for example, this comes down to the percentage of the sun’s UVB rays that the product can block. A product with an SPF level of 15 will block around 93% of the sun’s UVB rays. You will often find SPF 15 in makeup and skin care products. However, in sunscreens, the industry standard, and the SPF recommended by Dermatologists is generally SPF 30 and above.

A sunscreen with SPF 30 will protect you from around 96.7% of UVB rays, whereas an SPF of 50 means protection from about 98% of UVB rays. Anything beyond SPF 50 makes very little difference in terms of risk of sun damage, and no sunscreens offer 100% protection from UVB rays.

But what about UVA rays?

Of course UVB aren’t the only rays you need to worry about. UVA rays cause wrinkling, premature ageing and skin damage. Whilst the SPF level of your sunscreen determines the level of protection you’ll receive from UVB rays, UVA protection is indicated by the term ‘broad spectrum’.

Protecting your skin from both UVA and UVB rays is important for skin safety and for preventing damage and premature aging. Choosing a sunscreen that has a SPF of at least 30 and is broad spectrum will help ensure adequate protection. So you can get active, go adventure, or simply be lazily immersed in nature, without worrying about the harmful effects of sun exposure. 

What’s the best sunscreen for you?

At the end of the day, the best sunscreen is the one you love to wear. 

If putting on sunscreen becomes a chore, or you’re finding your sunscreen irritating, you simply won’t wear it. Our best advice to you is to find a sunscreen that you love and that suits your needs, apply it properly, and use it whenever you head outdoors.

KINeSYS Recommendations

Because the people in our community are at the heart of what we do, we’ve dedicated years to developing sunscreens that offer the best protection, and that people love to wear. We’re for the busy parents, the sporty types, the skin cancer survivors, and those with sensitive skin. Our range of products work for everybody, every day. Here are our top picks for;

Pushing Limits

If you’re training hard, pushing goals, enthusiastically disappearing down trails, or climbing unexplored routes, you need protection that isn’t going to impact performance. The KINeSYS pick is our award-winning, high-performance SPF 50 Fragrance Free Spray Sunscreen. It’s both sweat and water resistant, alcohol-free, fragrance free, and with SPF 50 for superior protection.

Runners Life

One of the reasons that many runners avoid wearing sunscreen is because it can leave an oily residue, which can drip into eyes and cause irritation. We recommend that runners use an oil-free sunscreen which is sweat and water resistant. Each year Runner’s World USA share their Best Sweat-Resistant Sunscreens for Runners and year-after-year SPF 50 Fragrance Free Spray Sunscreen makes the list as an Editors’ Choice. The compact 30ml bottle delivers 170+ sprays and fits easily into your running belt, vest or pocket.

Bitten by the Travel Bug 

Keeping luggage to a minimum is a down right battle. We love to travel, and we feel your pain. That’s why most of our range, including oil-free and alcohol free sprays, also comes in handy travel-sized bottles. The KINeSYS pick for travel is our SPF 30 Mango Spray Sunscreen in travel-size. With a subtle mango scent, it’s like sunshine in a handy 1oz travel-sized bottle. 

Kids Rule

Getting kids to wear sunscreen when heading outdoors can be a nightmare! You often need to manage sensitive skin, and deal with wriggly bodies who just want to go play. The perfect solution is a sunscreen that is gentle and easily applied. The KINeSYS pick, our SPF 30 Fragrance Free Spray Sunscreen packaged in bright orange, just for kids. Kids LOVE KINeSYS, and parents get to kiss the dreaded sunscreen routine goodbye.

Diving In

Whether you’re exploring the reef, padding down-river, or kicking through an ocean swim, it’s important to protect yourself. The KINeSYS pick for water lovers is our SPF 30 Clear Zinc. It goes on white, rubs in clear, and smells amazing! 100% natural and lightly scented with natural preservatives, Peppermint and Rosemary the sunscreen is gentle on sensitive skin, kind to the environment and Reef Safe.