Introducing the Change in Sunscreen Legislation: SPF 50+

You may thing you're being sun savvy, but did you know many Australians use as little as half the amount of sunscreen required to ensure full sun protection?

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 30+ has been an Aussie standard for many years, but it's time to raise the bar! Enter, SPF 50+.

The Science: What is 50+ sunscreen?

According to our friends at Banana Boat, SPF 50+ sunscreens are formulated to allow less damaging rays to reach your skin’s surface than lower SPF sunscreens.

For example, when applied correctly SPF 30 allows 3.3% of UVB rays to reach your skin while SPF 50+ allows only 1.67% to reach your skin. This may not sound like much, but over a lifetime of UV exposure under the harsh Australian sun, well, you do the math!

• New SPF 50+ better protects against sunburn – higher UVB Protection

• New SPF 50+ better protects against long term skin damage –higher UVA Protection

To clear up a few misconceptions...

- The better protection of 50+ suncreen does not mean you can apply less
- Does not mean you can apply less frequently
- Does not mean more chemicals
- The lotions are not thicker lotions
- Even if you're used to sporting a generous tan, the new sun protection is not just for fair/pale skinned Australians!

What about SPF 30+? Can I still use it?

In short, yes. 

SPF30 and below are also be improved as part of the new Australian Standard.

All sunscreens now require a higher level of UVA (aging) protection than was legislated in the past. This will better aid in the prevention of premature aging, wrinkles and skin cancer (non-melanoma skin cancers have been closely linked to lifetime UV exposure).

Check out the gallery of the most effective sunscreens on the market!