Save your Skin in Summer by Using Sunscreen Gel

FAQ | Get Rid of a Tan | 5 minutes read

Choosing a sunscreen can be a bit confusing – What features are you meant to be looking for? Why do sunscreens have different symbols? What does SPF 50 mean? Which is the Best Sunscreen SPF 50?

We have the answers to all these questions to make your summer good for your skin.

It’s so tempting to look for a high SPF (sun protection factor) to ensure we are protecting our skin, but did you know that the SPF isn’t the only thing to check out?

Don’t worry. This guide will tell you everything you need to decode UVA, PA+++, PPD, broad-spectrum, SPF and other sun protection terms on your Gel Sunscreen wherever in the world you bought it. 

First of all a quick explanation as to which sunscreen should protect us from -The sun emits various rays of different wavelengths. We’re interested in the UVA and UVB rays as they cause damage to our skin:

What are UVA and UVB rays?

UVB rays are the ones that cause burning. It is the sun screen’s SPF (sun protection factor) that indicates the level of protection from these UVB rays.

So it’s important to choose the best Sunscreen Gel with a good SPF - but what SPF is best? It's SPF 50 to get the best protection and it is suitable for all the skin types.

The SPF has little to do with the protection you get from UVA rays. It’s the UVA rays that accelerate aging because they break down the collagen and elastin in the deeper layers of our skin.

Considering that 50% of our UVA exposure, even occur in the shade, UVA protection is a must. For that 50% use SPF 50 for better results.

So how do you know you are getting enough protection from both UVB and UVA rays? Are there any other features of sunscreen that are important to be aware of?

The short answer is yes.

There are several international standards for the measurement of UVA protection. So depending on where your sunscreen was made – Asia, North America or Europe - the UVA symbols on the packaging might differ.

So what does SPF mean?

Sun protection factor is a guide to the length of time, you have protection from UVB rays only (the rays that cause burning).

SPF (sun protection factor) can range from 6 - 50 in India and 2 - 50+ in the US. The US does not limit the SPF value of sunscreen to a value of 50, a regulation adopted in other systems to deter misleading customers into believing they are receiving more protection than they are. A sunscreen with an SPF of 15 will protect you against 93% of UVB rays whilst an SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays - this is a lot of protection! Anything higher than this often gives people the wrong idea that they are being protected significantly more.

Even with a high SPF, regular sunscreen application is important after you’ve been swimming, doing sport or toweling yourself dry.

How does SPF measure?

It’s not possible to exactly compare the different international UVA ratings because the way the UVA is measured is a little different in each case. But we’ve included a plausible comparison for an SPF 50 cream with a few assumptions in the table below:

What Does SPF Mean Guide to sun protection symbols?

To make sure you get good overall protection, look for one or more of these on your sunscreen bottle:

Broad-spectrum.

The promise of ‘broad-spectrum’, minus the cream offers protection from both kinds of UV light (UVA and UVB). However, this term is sometimes used rather loosely and doesn’t always guarantee enough protection or tell you how well you are being protected.

According to the EWG, the FDA (USA) regulations are flawed, allowing nearly every sunscreen already on the market in the US to claim “broad spectrum” protection and until FDA tightens its rules, Americans will continue to misuse inferior products.

If the Sunscreen gel is:

Made in the US:
If the cream’s critical wavelength (UV wavelength at which 90% of UVA light is blocked) is above 370nm, it is classed as a broad spectrum. In recent years, the US adopted the SPF equivalence regulation that means that the cream’s UVA protection should be proportional to the SPF value.

Made in Asia, India:
‘Broad spectrum’ means the cream’s UVA factor is at least 1/3 of the UVB factor. This is based on evidence that the biological damage to the skin can be prevented and reduced if the ratio of the protection factor measured in the persistent pigment-darkening test. The guidelines also suggest having a critical wavelength of at least 370nm.

The Asian definition of ‘broad-spectrum’ is considered more rigorous than the US one because of the number of tests that it must pass which include the International Sun Protection Factor Test Method, the persistent-pigment darkening method and the critical wavelength test.

Boots, Star Rating
Boots (a UK drug store) created a 3-5 star rating system for UVA protection. The UVA isn’t measured in exactly the same way as the UVA protection factor in the India test, but it broadly follows the same procedure, apart from the fact that their tests give a better indication of UVA protection and photostability when the product is used. For a 5 star rating, the level of UVA protection is actually higher than the standard guidelines.

PPD

Persistent pigment darkening measures the protection against darkening or tanning of the skin, rather than burning. The numerical rating corresponds to how long a person can be out in the sun without protection.

A PPD of 10 allows a person 10x as much UVA exposure compared to no protection at all. European brands of sunscreen tend to use PA+++ as a measurement of UVA protection.

PA+++

The measure of UVA protection based on the PPD method originates and is found most commonly in Asia.
The PA rankings go from:
- PA+ (equivalent to a UVA protection factor 2-4),
- PA++ (4-8)
- PA+++ (8-16)
- PA++++ (16+)
The more plus symbols, the higher the protection!
UVA (in a circle)
The Indian symbol that means the cream offers UVA protection in proportion to the SPF (i.e. Meets the ‘broad spectrum’ requirement above), sometimes called SPF equivalence. The specific UVA protection factor is usually not stated but must be a minimum of 370nm.

Critical Wavelength

Critical wavelength measures the breadth of coverage from UVA exposure.
UVA exposure can range from 320 – 400 nanometers. No sunscreen can guarantee complete coverage of this range. Our sunscreen’s critical wavelength reaches 380 (which is impressive!).

What about Water Resistance?

No sunscreen is completely water-resistant. Brands can only claim ‘water-resistant’ if the sunscreen has been submitted for a special test.

The FDA requires companies to test the product's SPF value after 40 or 80 minutes in water. If it retains the SPF value, they may use the labels “water-resistant” (for 40 minutes) or “very water-resistant” (for 80 minutes).

Not all brands offer you "water-resistant" sunscreen withstands 80 minutes immersed in water. But there is some brand like Derma Essentia, working hard to give you a topnotch product like Sunscreen Gel Based loaded with goodness.

Water-resistant sunscreen must be reapplied every 2 hours - especially after towel drying!

As a result of reading our article, you have now armed with Sunscreen SPF 50 knowledge! You know what SPF means and know not to judge sunscreen solely on its SPF! SPF alone is only part of the picture when protecting yourself from the sun’s rays. By protecting yourself from UVB and UVA rays, you avoid burning and leave your skin looking healthier and more youthful.