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SPF 15

Most people opt for sun care products such as sunscreen or sunblock with SPF 15. When you choose a sun care product, 100% of the time you'll come across the SPF rating on the label of the item. SPF is an important feature that states how long you'll be able to stay out in the sun before your skin starts to burn.

By definition, a product with a rating of '15' means that person can stay out in the sun 15 times longer than if they were unprotected. According to medical studies of SPF, a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 15 can actually filter out approximately 92% of harmful UVB rays. Another way to look at it is that if it normally takes a person about 10 minutes for their skin to burn when exposed to the sun without protection, using a product with SPF 15 will allow that person to stay out in the sun for up to 150 minutes before showing signs of burning.

While this basic SPF rating offers a great amount of protection, the best way to use sunscreen to your advantage is to reapply it throughout the day. A general rule of thumb to follow is to reapply your sunscreen every two hours. If you are sweating profusely, you should reapply as needed and should do so more often. When your sunscreen wears off due to sweating, you are leaving your skin unprotected. There are also waterproof forms of sunscreen that you can also purchase.

'15' is a good rating for those who only plan to stay out in the sun for a short period of time or if you don't tend to burn easily. However, those who are very sensitive to the sun, burn easier than others, or are fair-skinned, should choose a sunscreen product with a higher SPF such as 30 or 45. But in general, using SPF 15 will take care of your skin and as long as you follow the directions on the label, you'll be able to enjoy fun in the sun without any worries.