Summer is fully upon us now, and with the abundant sunshine comes many risks. Sunscreen is our friend when it comes to warding off these risks, but if you want to get the full benefit, you must know all the facts. Sunscreen is great for delaying the signs of aging, for reducing the risks of skin cancer, and avoiding tanning. To protect yourself properly this summer, read on for the facts about sunscreen and sun block.

Sunscreen vs. Sun Block: the Difference
The difference is explained in the name. Sunscreen acts like, well, a screen. It filters some of the UV rays that reach your skin and lets some of them through; the amount of UV rays allowed to pass is determined by the SPF (sun protection factor).

Sun block, on the other hand, acts like a barricade; it does not let any UV rays through. You can choose which one you require based on your specific needs. If you have sensitive skin and spend lots of time in the sun then sun block is the better choice. However, if you want to get a little bit of a tan and only spend a couple of hours in the sun, then sunscreen is okay.

 It is important to remember that whenever you are outside, whether it is during the day or night, when it is cloudy or sunny, whether it is summer or the dead of winter, you must always wear sun protection. UV rays are always present, and if you really want to protect yourself, then you must always have sunscreen or sun block at the ready.

What is SPF?
The SPF is an important thing to factor in when buying sunscreen. It is the laboratory measure of the effectiveness of sunscreen – the higher the number, the more protection against UVB rays. It is also what prevents sunburn. The number basically indicates the amount of time it would take for your skin to burn without any protection in the sun, and how long it would take if you use the appropriate amount of sunscreen. So while SPF 15 will filter out more than 93% of UVB in sunlight and allows 7% penetration, SPF 30 will filter out a higher percentage of UVB, about 97%, while allowing 3% penetration. Therefore, the higher the SPF the more it blocks out UVB penetration.

However, just because the bottle says it is SPF 30, doesn’t mean that is what you are getting. A thin layer will not give you enough protection.  The amount matters when it comes to sunscreen, so make sure you use enough to get the protection you need.