What Does SPF Even Mean, Anyway?

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.

 

 

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