Sunscreens

SPF 30+ is the minimum the Cancer Society recommends for New Zealand's sun, and SPF50+ is the sensible choice for the beach, the boat or any long day outside. Look for broad spectrum, which covers UVA as well as UVB, and water resistance if you will swim or sweat. SPF50+ filters about 98% of UVB and SPF30 about 97%, so the bigger difference is how much you apply and how often, not the number.

An adult needs about seven teaspoons, or 35 ml, for a full body: one teaspoon each for the face and neck and each arm, and at least one each for each leg, the front and the back. Apply it 20 minutes before you go out so it binds to the skin, then reapply every two hours and straight after swimming or heavy sweating, towelling dry first. Most people use far less than this, which is the main reason sunscreen "does not work".

Both protect you if they are labelled to AS/NZS 2604; the difference is how they feel and who they suit. Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, sit on the skin and are the usual pick for sensitive or reactive skin, eczema and young children. Chemical filters absorb UV, rub in lighter and clearer, and are what most face fluids and sun serums use. If your skin reacts to sunscreen, try a zinc formula first.

Babies under six months should be kept out of direct sun with shade and clothing rather than sunscreen; where cover is not possible, the New Zealand Dermatological Society recommends a mineral formula. From six months, a kids' or sensitive SPF50+ such as Earth's Kitchen, Cetaphil Kids, Invisible Zinc Junior or Natio Kids works well. Patch test a new sunscreen on the inner arm first, and reapply after every swim.

Yes for a normal day, provided it is SPF 30+ broad spectrum and you use a full face amount, about a teaspoon for face, ears and neck, then reapply if you are outside for more than two hours. An SPF 15 foundation or a light dusting of an SPF product is not enough for a day at the beach; add a proper sunscreen underneath.

No. The 2-hour or 4-hour rating is how long the sunscreen keeps its SPF while you are in the water under test conditions. Swimming, towelling and sweating still remove it, so reapply as soon as you are dry, and every two hours regardless.

Check the expiry date on the tube or pump. If it is in date and the texture, colour and smell are unchanged, it is fine. If it has separated, thinned or smells different, or it spent the summer in a hot car or glovebox, replace it. Store sunscreen somewhere cool and out of direct sun.

Yes. Since 2022 every sunscreen sold in New Zealand must meet the Australian and New Zealand sunscreen standard AS/NZS 2604 under the Fair Trading Act, which means the SPF and broad spectrum claims on the label have been tested. Look for the standard on the pack. Consumer NZ also publishes independent test results on many brands.

Face sunscreens are lighter, usually non-greasy and often fragrance free, made to sit under makeup without pilling; the Korean sun serums and fluids like Beauty of Joseon and SKIN1004 are the lightest of all. Body lotions and sprays are thicker, cheaper per millilitre and built for water resistance. You can use a body sunscreen on your face, but most people prefer not to.

No. The Cancer Society's advice is to use all five when the UV index is 3 or above, which is most of the day from September to April in New Zealand: slip on clothing and into shade, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat and wrap on sunglasses. Our summer hats and polarised sunglasses are in the Summer Shop.