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What Does SPF Mean?

Are you wondering what does SPF mean?  The initials SPF stand for Sun Protection Factor.  The higher the SPF number on sunscreen, the more protection you have, or the longer you can stay in the sun without burning.

SPF claims are regulated by the FDA.  They test and approve every product's SPF claim before it can be labeled to have an SPF.  You may also note that any product that carries an SPF claim will also have a list of "active ingredients" - those are the ingredients that give the product it's Sun Protection - it doesn't mean those are the only "active" ingredients - in that they don't do anything.

The SPF number tells you how long you can stay in the sun before getting burned. If you normally start to burn after 15 minutes of sun exposure, an SPF 15 product will let you stay in the sun for approximately 15 times longer (or 3 1/2 hours) without burning.

SPF sunscreen numbers indicate sunburn protection from UVB rays only. There is not a rating system for UVA.

Skin damage is caused buy both UVA and UVB exposure. Sunlight exposes you to two kinds of ultraviolet light, called UVA and UVB. Both can cause skin damage, including wrinkling and skin cancer.

• Exposure to UVB rays has an immediate (within 60 seconds) and harmful effect to the skin
• You don’t feel or notice UVA exposure but it is the main cause of skin cancer and wrinkles, one of the main reasons why sunscreen is important.

To ensure protection from UVA rays your sunscreen should be labeled “Broad Spectrum” and contain at least one of these ingredients: Avobenzone (also known as Parsol 1789 or butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane)
Titanium dioxide
Zinc oxide
Anthelios SX
Helioplex (Is the Neutrogena blend of Avobenzone and Oxybenzone)
Outside the United States, Mexoryl SX and Tinosorb are also used.

15 + 15 does not equal 30 – Layering SPF products does not increase the total number or the effectiveness.

Recommended SPF Products for the Face

SPF 30 Defense Day Cream - is a unique day cream with a 30 SPF - it is totally oil free and provides broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection. It is not intended to be a moisturizer, so anyone with drier skin will need to use it over...[Read More]
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer SPF 20 and Retinol is a tinted moisturizer that replaces moisturizer, sunscreen, primer and/or foundation and a daytime retinol product...[Read More]

When Hope Is Not Enough SPF 20 - I absolutely love this product. It is a light lotion, slightly purplish in color and it has the most wonderful lavender smell. It goes on nice and smooth, disappears easy, doesn't leave any kind of residue - and no smell after it is applied. It does not break me out at all...[Read More]

Recommended Organic Sunscreen

Green Screen Organic SPF 22 Tinted Sunscreen is skin tone tinted. It is 86% certified organic, Made with 9 organic and natural ingredients, including 25% non-nanoparticle zinc oxide and iron oxide.

Recommended Powder Sunscreens

Bare Minerals has a very popular all natural powder mineral sunscreen with an SPF of 30. It comes in the brush application, so you can take it with you n reapply as necessary. It comes in several different shades, so you can match your skin color. It can be used over your makeup, instead of finishing powder, over tined moisturizer or on bare skin.

Colorescience is the pioneer in mineral powder natural sunscreen with their Sunforgettable line. In addition to the applicator brush, they have several other containers and products for your body, eye area and lips. Each product comes in several different shades.

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