Why You Should Never Use Sunscreen Below 30 SPF

Sunscreen is a must-have item in your skincare routine, even if you keep things simple. As well as creating a shield against UV rays, a process which has benefits like stopping the ageing process from happening earlier and preventing melanomas, sunscreen can also give your skin a naturally glowy finish, another incentive to wear it every day.

However, using sunscreen isn't as straightforward as it may seem. There are some common misconceptions about the level of SPF you need and how often to reapply your sunscreen. You could also be making the fatal mistake of not using sunscreen when you're indoors, which means UV rays could still be reaching you through your windows, not to mention that your phone and computer screen both radiate blue light that can affect your skin.

Additionally, you might be using the wrong sunscreen, which could lead to you not getting as much protection as you should. Here's why you should never opt for a sunscreen with an SPF lower than 30 and a few of our favorite sunscreens that will leave you looking fresh while staying protected.

The reason 30 is the magic SPF number is because any SPF below this means you won't reap the benefits sunscreen has to offer. An SPF 30 sunscreen will help to protect your skin against more than 90% of UV rays that come from the sun, so anything lower will protect you less. However, remember that sunscreen needs to be applied regularly for it to offer protection. Every two hours is a good measure to go by, but you may want to reapply sooner if you notice your skin getting red from the sun exposure, especially if you've taken a dip in the water.

No sunscreen can completely protect you against the sun though, which is why other precautions such as staying in the shade and wearing clothing that covers your body are so important. Don't forget to cover your head, either, as your hair can get sun damaged too. A hat that covers your face is essential on days both when you just can't escape the sun and when it's slightly cloudier. If it's too hot to cover up completely, think about wearing at least a T-shirt when in direct sunlight.

There are tons of sunscreens out there to choose from. To help you out, we've rounded up some of the best, all of which are over SPF 30.

If you have acne-prone skin, Dew The Most SPF 30 Sheer Moisturizer should be your new go-to. Featuring vitamin E for hydration and niacinamide to reduce dark spots, it won't leave you looking oily. If you have the opposite problem of skin that's always dry, try out the Coola SPF 50 Face Organic Lotion, which is designed to combine sun protection with the feeling of a moisturizer. It's also fragrance-free so your dry skin won't become more irritated.

Struggle with sunscreen leaving a white cast on your darker skin tone? The Black Girl Sunscreen line dries completely clear and will leave your skin looking supple. It starts at SPF 30 and goes up to SPF 50. If you have skin that's prone to sensitivity, Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 35 will hydrate your skin but won't leave you looking greasy thanks to the oil-free formula. Whichever sunscreen you choose, remember to keep applying it every couple of hours so your skin stays glowing and protected all day long.