SPF Ratings Explained – So You Can Stop Guessing
You know the drill. You're halfway to the beach, duck into a servo or surf shop and grab whatever sunscreen's left on the shelf. Or you saw someone raving about “that one sunscreen” on TikTok and bought it without a clue what SPF even means.
No shade – we’ve been there. So here’s the breakdown you actually need, minus the science degree.
SPF = Sun Protection Factor
The SPF number indicates how long you can stay in the sun without burning compared to bare skin.
So:
SPF 15 filters about 93% of UVB rays
SPF 30 filters about 97%
SPF 50 filters about 98%
More SPF = more protection, but nothing blocks 100%. So don’t let that "SPF 100" give you false confidence.
What SPF Should You Use?
If you're surfing, swimming, sweating, or just existing in Australia:
Go SPF 50+ and reapply every 2 hours. Period.
Water-resistant? Yes.
Broad spectrum (protects from UVA + UVB)? Yes.
Invisible, matte, no white cast? Big yes.
👇 Our fave sunscreens that actually tick the boxes:
Other Tips From Your Sun Safe Mates at Plow
- Reapply after swimming (yes, even if it's "waterproof")
- Use a hat (we happen to make good ones – just saying)
- Don’t trust clouds – UV still gets through
No more guessing in the chemist aisle. You’re officially sunscreen fluent.
