FAQs

The best sunscreens protect against both UVA (ageing) and UVB (burning) rays, hold up in harsh Australian conditions, and avoid nasties that harm our reefs or sensitive skin. We highlight products with our SunSafe® Score, which blends ingredient safety, environmental impact, and real-world performance.

Broad spectrum means the sunscreen shields you from both UVA (ageing) and UVB (burning) rays – both are ultraviolet rays from the sun. There’s also a UVC, but it doesn’t penetrate our atmosphere and never reaches the Earth’s surface.

S.P.F. stands for Sun Protection Factor. The original concept suggested SPF 30+ meant you could stay outside 30 times longer than your normal burn time without burning – but the truth is more scientific. SPF 30 filters out about 97% of UVB rays when applied correctly (and generously – think a teaspoon for the face alone). SPF 50 blocks around 98% of UVB rays.

More than you think. The rule of thumb:
– 1 teaspoon for each body part (one for face/neck, each arm, each leg, front, and back – that’s 7 teaspoons total).
– Reapply every 2 hours, or sooner after swimming, sweating, or towel drying.

Nope. Sunscreen is your backup singer, not the main act. Sun-smart habits – like wearing a hat, sunnies, and long sleeves, and avoiding the midday sun – matter even more.

We’re also exploring a UPF-rated range (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) of physical barriers like clothing to complement your SPF routine – because the best sun care is layered, not left to one product alone.

Go for gentle zinc oxide–based mineral formulas, water resistance (80 minutes is the gold standard), and avoid sprays that can be inhaled. If you use sprays, remember to spray into your hands first, then apply to your child’s skin to reduce inhalation risks. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends avoiding sunscreen for babies under 6 months when possible — instead, use shade and protective clothing.

It’s not the sunscreen, it’s how you use it. Applying too little SPF 50 can act more like SPF 10. Apply thickly, reapply often, and don’t treat sunscreen like a permission slip for all-day sun.

It helps, but it’s not magic. Sunscreens reduce UV damage, which causes premature ageing and some forms of skin cancer. Combined with sun-smart habits and a healthy lifestyle — including diet and exercise — you support your skin’s natural dermal layers for the best protection and skin health.

In Australia, a few minutes of daily sunlight on arms and face is usually enough outside peak UV hours. If you’re concerned about deficiency, get your levels checked – supplements are safer than burning.

Sprays are risky to breathe in and often leave patchy coverage. Stick to lotions or sticks – they’re safer and more reliable.

Warm water, soap or a gentle cleanser, and a soft cloth will do the trick. Mineral sunscreens might need an oil cleanser first.

In Australia, sunscreens must meet strict standards set by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) — the watchdog for medicines and health products. While the TGA handles the regulatory red tape, here at The Sunscreen List™ we go beyond compliance to prioritise your health and safety by thoroughly vetting every product through our proprietary SunSafe® Score.

We also respect the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) , which maintains highly regarded sunscreen ingredient standards used across the EU.

We cut through the noise. Every product we feature is checked against our SunSafe® Score, which rates:
– Dermatologist-tested
– Ingredient honesty
– UVP (Ultraviolet Protection) proven performance
– Environmentally responsible manufacturing processes
– Planet-friendly packaging and eco goals

Reef-safe is more than a buzzword – it’s a mindset. We tag all products free of known reef-harming chemicals (like oxybenzone and octinoxate). Even if you’re not on the Great Barrier Reef, your choice still matters.