Stay safe in the sun

Mar, 2021

Now is the time to put on sunscreen. Even though it is only spring, the sun can still give you a sunburn. Protect your skin with the Meraki SPF30 sun care products that use only the best filters.

We want our sun care products to be easy to apply and getting the consistency right is essential. For that reason, we use chemical UVA and UVB filters. But do not let the word ‘chemical’ put you off. The benefits of chemical filters far outweigh the downsides.

Why our sunscreen is SPF 30

It can be difficult to navigate the many choices when it comes to sunscreen. Some choose SPF 50 just to be on the safe side. However, Meraki has simplified the sun care series to give you certainty and transparency. Because SPF 30 is enough to protect both adults and children in the sun under normal circumstances.

Double the factor is not double the protection

The SPF number tells you how long the sun’s UV radiation would take to redden your skin when using the product exactly as directed, versus the amount of time without any sunscreen. So ideally, with SPF 30 it would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you were not wearing any sunscreen.

But contrary to what you might think, twice the SPF does not equal twice as much protection. You only gain a few percentages by switching to a higher SPF. If you choose SPF 15 it blocks 93% of the sun’s UVB rays while SPF 30 blocks 96% and SPF 50 blocks 98%.

A higher SPF might create a false sense of security. You stay out in the sun for longer, do not re-apply your sunscreen and do not seek the shade or cover up. The result is a lot more UV damage than intended.

Best piece of advice? Apply sunscreen regularly

When you bathe, sweat or dry yourself off with a towel, the sunscreen might get washed off. The best piece of advice is therefore to apply the sunscreen often and use enough each time. One handful for one body. If you do not use enough, the SPF is significantly reduced and you risk getting a sunburn. For instance, if you use a SPF 30 but only apply half a handful, the SPF is reduced to a mere 5.47.

If you pick a high SPF, you also pick more filters in the sunscreen. So, if you are used to SPF 50 for your children, pick an SPF 30 and simply apply the sunscreen more than once. That way you avoid unnecessary filters while protecting the sensitive skin.