SUNSCREEN FAQ

Experts recommend putting one ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen on your entire body, or enough to fill one shot glass. (It’s also coincidentally the size of a golf ball .) Then, add a half a teaspoon (a nickel-sized dollop) on your face and neck.

You should reapply every 2 hours, and 80 mins after swimming, sweating, or toweling off. If you’re indoors and away from windows, reapplying may not be necessary, but don’t forget that the sun’s rays can still penetrate window panes.

Chemical sunscreens should be applied 30 minutes before going outside to allow the sunscreen time to absorb into your skin. Mineral (physical) sunscreens are effective immediately and can be applied right before going outside.

Chemical sunscreens use chemical filters to absorb UV rays before they reach your skin. Mineral, or physical sunscreens block radiation by forming a barrier that reflects rays. Read more about chemical vs. mineral sunscreens here.

The term “broad spectrum” refers to sunscreen that protects from both UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays are responsible for redness and sunburns, while UVA rays are the main culprit behind skin aging and can penetrate clouds, fog, and glass. (Think “B” for burns and “A” for aging.)

SPF stands for “sun protection factor,” and the SPF number indicates how well the sunscreen protects your skin against sunburn. If you weren’t wearing any sunscreen, the sun starts to damage your skin 5-20 minutes after exposure. The SPF number indicates how much longer the sun will take to burn your skin if you apply it correctly. For example, if you were wearing an SPF 30 sunscreen it would take 30 times longer to burn your skin than if you weren’t wearing any sunscreen at all. 50 times longer if wearing SPF 50.

Not necessarily, experts say. They only offer marginally more protection than lower SPFs, and do not offer any additional protection against UVA rays. They may also give wearers a false sense of security, making them lax about reapplication. If used correctly, SPFs of between 30-50 provide enough protection for most people and is the sweet spot of SPF factors. SPF 30 blocks 97% of harmful rays; SPF 50 blocks 98%.

According to experts and the World Health Organization you can burn on cloudy days if the UV index is above 3 on a scale of 1-10. Applying sunscreen everyday between 10am-4pm is recommended on most days of the year.

Most weather apps now show an hour by hour forecast of the UV index even on cloudy days.

Scientific studies have shown that sunscreen limits trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) which is essentially water evaporating via your skin and as a result helps maintain hydration levels.

Yes, they are safe and convenient when used properly. Be sure to spray generously until your skin glistens and rub it in afterwards. However, the ingredients can irritate the lungs if inhaled, so it’s best to spray them into your hands first and apply manually.

Studies have never shown that everyday sunscreen use leads to insufficient vitamin D levels. No matter how high of an SPF you use, you can never filter out 100% of the sun’s UV rays, so you’ll still be exposed to vitamin D—and the risks of skin cancer far outweigh the risk of vitamin D deficiency. Depending on your skin complexion one only needs 5 - 20 mins of sun exposure to have sufficient Vitamin D. If in doubt, you can supplement your diet and take a multivitamin.

Hybrid sunscreen describes an SPF that contains both mineral and chemical sunscreen actives. The chemical filters absorb UVA/UVB rays, while the mineral filters reflect UVA/UVB rays. Hybrid sunscreens provide a great option for those who want a mineral filter, and do not want a white cast, and for those who want a chemical sunscreen, and have sensitive or acne-prone skin.

If you are wearing a white or light colored shirt it is recommended to use a zinc-oxide based sunscreen like our Mineral Performance Sunscreen Spray SPF 30

If you are wearing a dark colored shirt it is recommended to use a non-mineral sunscreen like our Sunscreen Spray SPF 50