Your guide to sunscreen and SPF

Australia has the highest skin cancer rate in the world. At least 2 in 3 Australians will receive a skin cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.¹

Research shows that long-term sunscreen use can significantly reduce this risk and has already prevented thousands of skin cancer deaths in Australia.²

“There are lots of studies showing that getting a sunburn increases your risk of melanoma and other types of skin cancer,” says Professor Anne Cust, Chair of Cancer Council’s National Skin Cancer Committee.

“And the more times you get burned, the higher your risk of skin cancer.” Despite this, only 2 in 5 Australians use sunscreen on high UV days (UV index of 3 or above).³

“Australia does have the highest rate of skin cancer in the world,” Professor Cust warns. “We've got a predominantly fair-skinned population, and the UV levels that we experience here are much higher than elsewhere in the world.”

Recently, some sunscreens have been recalled or failed SPF testing, leaving some people unsure which products to trust.

GP and Bupa Clinical Lead, Dr Samantha Saling says sunscreen is still vital for protecting your skin.

“Even a lower SPF product is better than nothing,” she explains. “SPF works on a spectrum, SPF4 blocks about 75% of UVB rays, SPF50 blocks around 98%.”

“I always recommend SPF50+ where possible, because it gives your skin the highest level of protection available.”

“The key is finding a sunscreen you’ll actually wear, applying enough, and reapplying regularly,” says Dr Saling. “It’s your best defence, alongside covering up and seeking shade.”

There are many types of sunscreens available: creams, zinc blocks and pump-pack sprays.

Professor Cust notes:

“Just find one you find comfortable to wear. Usually, the one that you like is the one that you're going to wear.”

The Cancer Council does not recommend aerosol sprays as wind and other environmental factors can make them less effective.

All sunscreens sold in Australia are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

“Always check that your sunscreen is TGA-listed and hasn’t been recalled,” Dr Saling adds. “These products have been assessed to meet strict quality and safety standards.”

What to look for

1. Broad spectrum protects against both UVA (aging and DNA damage) and UVB (burning).
2. Water resistant especially if swimming or sweating.
3. High SPF, SPF50 or SPF50+ is recommended.

“Most of us don’t use enough sunscreen to get the level of protection on the label,” says Dr Saling. “A good guide is about one teaspoon per body part, each arm, each leg, front, back and face. Reapply every 2 hours, or after swimming, sweating or towel drying.”

SPF also indicates how long your skin is protected compared to unprotected skin. For example, SPF50 theoretically protects 50 times longer than no sunscreen, but real-world factors like swimming or sweating reduce this time.

Sunscreen alone is just one of 5 key strategies for sun safety on days with a UV index of 3 or higher:

• Slip on sun-protective clothing
• Slop on broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF50+ sunscreen
• Slap on a broad-brimmed hat
• Seek shade
• Slide on sunglasses that meet Australian standards⁴

“Slipping on as much clothing as possible to cover your skin, [regularly] slopping on sunscreen, slapping on a hat, seeking shade where possible and sliding on sunglasses,” says Professor Cust. Shape

Even with recent SPF concerns, sunscreen remains a safe and effective way to protect your skin, but it works best as part of a broader sun safety routine. Apply enough, reapply regularly, and combine it with clothing, hats, shade and sunglasses for the best protection.