What Is SPF Sunscreen
                     What Is SPF 
Sunscreen? 
Difference between 
SPF 15 and SPF 30?
WHAT IS SPF?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. What does it 
measure? The SPF of a sun protection product 
determines the level of UVB protection it offers. SPF 
products are available in various levels, including 
SPF 15, SPF 30, SPF 50 and more. 
Source: www.nykaa.com 2
SPF 15 VS SPF 
30
1. SPF 15 sunscreen filters out around 93% of UVB 
radiation
2. SPF 30 sunscreen blocks approximately 97% of 
UVB radiation
3. SPF 50 sunscreen keeps out nearly 98% of UVB 
radiation
Source: www.nykaa.com 3
WHAT LEVEL OF 
SPF DO YOU NEED?
If you spend most of your time indoors and lesser 
time outdoors, you can safely use a sunscreen that 
provides an SPF 20 or lower. If you are constantly 
travelling and are exposed to the sun, you liberally 
apply a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.
Source: www.nykaa.com 4
factors that affect the 
level of protection 
1. Your skin type
2. Frequency of sunscreen application
3. Existing weather conditions and environment
4. Amount of perspiration
5. Amount of time spent near any reflective 
surfaces, such as sand and water
Source: www.nykaa.com 5
What exactly does 
it protect you from?
SPF stands for “sun protection factor,” and it 
measures your sunscreen protection from UVB rays. 
Think about this way: If your skin would normally 
burn after 10 minutes in the sun, applying an SPF 
15 sunscreen would allow you to stay in the sun 
without burning for approximately 150 minutes (a 
factor of 15 times longer, hence SPF 15). 
Source: www.freepeople.com 6
Why do we have 
different SPF levels?
The FDA now requires sunscreen products with SPF 
lower than 15 to include a warning. It reads: “Skin 
Cancer/Skin Aging Alert: Spending time in the sun 
increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin 
aging. This product has been shown only to help 
prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin 
aging.” This same warning must appear on 
sunscreen products that are not broad spectrum.
Source: www.freepeople.com 7
Would you recommend a 
low level SPF 15 to 
anyone?
Darker skin types can use a lower level, such as 
SPF15, since they have more melanin in their skin, 
which does give some protection.
Source: www.freepeople.com 8
Are there any drawbacks 
to using a higher SPF?
There is often a false sense of security with higher 
numbers. You think since you’re wearing a higher 
level, you are invincible to the sun, and that’s just 
not the case. Most of us also forget that SPF is only 
at its most active for about two hours, so you need 
to reapply it often.
Source: www.freepeople.com 9
Does the product 
texture change as 
you move higher 
up in SPF level?
The product texture can change, but it’s not very 
noticeable. It’s more about the types of sunscreens 
ingredients used. Physical sunscreens made with 
titanium dioxide or zinc oxide will usually be slightly 
more opaque then chemical sunscreens. 
Source: www.freepeople.com 10
Thank you
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