What the label really means
The technical and scientific information given on the front and back of a sunscreen bottle can be difficult to fathom:-
UVB rays cause sunburn. A sunscreen with a high SPF shields the skin from UVB and so helps prevent burning and the damage that can cause skin cancer.
Broad-spectrum indicates the cream blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) tells you how long the sun will take to burn your skin after application. So, if you start to burn in 10 minutes without using a sunscreen, and SPF would allow you to spend 15 x 10 minutes (150 minutes) in the sun before burning.
UVA rays cause the long-term damage that leads to premature skin ageing and skin cancer. These rays weaken the elastin in the skin and lead to wrinkles and sun-induced skin ageing.
UVA star rating highlights the level of UVA protection the product has, from zero to five, the more stars, the more UVA protection you have. Ideally you want at least three stars.
Water resistant means it will retain at least 50% of its SPF even after 40 minutes in the water.
Pot and lid symbol refers to the number of months a sunscreen will retain its effectiveness after first opening.
