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SPF Demystified: What That Number on Your Sunscreen Really Means (and Why It Matters)

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 20:26:39 GMT

SPF Demystified: What That Number on Your Sunscreen Really Means (and Why It Matters)

We all know we should be wearing sunscreen every day. In fact, every dermatologist, doctor, and aesthetician agrees: SPF 30 should be a non-negotiable part of your daily routine. At Beam & Bare, we’re all about education and skin health—so we hear your questions all the time:

“If my moisturizer is SPF 20, isn’t that enough?”
“Is SPF 75 better than SPF 30?”
“If I layer SPF 20 and SPF 30, do I get SPF 50?”
“What even is SPF?”

We get it—it’s confusing! So let’s clear it all up with this practical, expert-backed guide from Beam & Bare.

First Things First: What Is SPF?

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It measures protection against UVB rays —the ones that cause sunburn and contribute to skin cancer .

However, SPF doesn’t tell you anything about UVA protection —which is just as important. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and are responsible for aging, sun spots, and long-term DNA damage .

Beam & Bare Pro Tip:

Look for " Broad Spectrum " on your sunscreen label. This means the product protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

What Does SPF 30 Actually Mean?

SPF isn’t about “how long” you can stay in the sun—it’s about how much of the sun’s UVB rays are blocked.

Here’s how it breaks down:

SPF 15 blocks about 93% of UVB rays
SPF 30 blocks about 97%
SPF 50 blocks about 98%
SPF 100 blocks about 99%

That means SPF 30 blocks about half as many rays as SPF 15 lets through , while SPF 50 gives you just 1% more protection than SPF 30. So more isn’t always dramatically better—and no sunscreen blocks 100% of rays .

Does Higher SPF Last Longer?

No.
All sunscreens—regardless of SPF—must be reapplied every 2 hours. Period.

Even the best sunscreen degrades with time, sweat, water, rubbing, or towel-drying. Whether you’re using SPF 30 or SPF 100, reapplication is key.

Water & Sweat: What You Need to Know

Going for a swim? Headed out for a long hike? Here’s what to look for on the label:

Not water-resistant : Reapply immediately after water or sweat
Water-resistant (40 min) : Reapply after 40 minutes in water
Water-resistant (80 min) : Offers up to 80 minutes of protection before needing a touch-up

Beam & Bare Favourite:
Our Colorescience Flex or Brush-On Mineral Powder SPF 30 is water-resistant for 80 minutes— and still lightweight, dry, and invisible. Perfect for touch-ups on the go!

Chemical vs. Mineral: What’s the Difference?

At Beam & Bare, we often recommend mineral sunscreens for their immediate, broad-spectrum protection and suitability for sensitive or post-treatment skin.

Chemical SunscreenMineral SunscreenHow it works Absorbs UV and converts to heatReflects + scatters UV rays Key ingredients Oxybenzone, Avobenzone. Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide Pros Lightweight textureGentle, safe, instant protection Best for Everyday wear under makeupSensitive skin & outdoor protection

Available at Beam & Bare:

Vivier Sheer SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen
Colorescience Sunforgettable Flex SPF 50
Colorescience Brush-On Mineral Powder SPF 30

Drop by our clinic or shop these in-person—we’re happy to help you find the perfect fit for your skin type and lifestyle!

Should You Layer SPF Products?

Unfortunately, layering SPF products doesn’t add them together.
SPF 20 moisturizer + SPF 30 powder ≠ SPF 50. You’ll only be protected at the higher number , not the sum.

So, stick with your highest SPF product , and always apply generously.

How to Maximize Your Protection

Here’s the Beam & Bare Protection Routine for serious sun-smart skincare:

Apply a generous layer of SPF 30+ mineral sunscreen to clean skin before dressing.
Layer with UPF-rated clothing and wide-brimmed hats.
Use Brush-On SPF 30 Mineral Powder for easy, invisible reapplication on face, neck, and hands—every 2 hours.
Don’t forget sunglasses and lip balm with SPF!

Beam & Bare’s Quick SPF FAQs

What’s the difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50?
About 1.3%. SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays, SPF 50 blocks 98%.

Does higher SPF last longer?
No—all sunscreens need to be reapplied every 2 hours .

Best SPF for sensitive skin?
Mineral SPF 30+ like Vivier Sheer SPF 30 or Colorescience Flex SPF 50 .

Is there a safe way to tan?
Any tan from UV rays = skin damage. The only safe tan is a self-tanner.

Where can I buy trusted SPF products?
Right here at Beam & Bare ! We carry Vivier , Colorescience , and other dermatologist-approved brands in-clinic.

Final Word: Why SPF Matters

Daily SPF is the most effective anti-aging product you can use. It helps prevent:

Sunburn
Wrinkles and pigmentation
Skin cancer, including melanoma

Our skin is constantly exposed—even on cloudy days or through windows. That’s why Beam & Bare recommends applying SPF 30 or higher every single day , and reapplying consistently.

Your future skin will thank you.

Have questions or need help choosing a sunscreen?
Book a complimentary consultation at Beam & Bare , or visit us in-clinic to browse our curated SPF essentials.

Self-Care – Taking in the “Easy”

Sun, 31 Oct 2021 18:26:45 GMT

One of the more prominent catch phrases of late is “Self-Care”. But what does that really look like? The truth of it is, only you can answer that! Self-Care is a gentle way of reminding us we need to take care of ourselves, possibly first. For example, if you have flown in an airplane they teach us even before takeoff - dawn your mask first before assisting others. You cannot pour from an empty cup, so whatever your version of Self-Care looks like, it should be something we all do every day. It teaches us the importance of Self-Love.

Here are some genuine ideas.

Health is first. Most doctors are not seeing patients in person right now. But this does not mean you do not address issues of concern. Update your blood work, discuss mental health strategies, ask their team about resources to assist you through COVID decisions. Yes, book your dental checkup and cleaning. Body hurts? Book that massage. Revisit the Chiropractor. Exercise and stretching are also important. You will thank yourself later. Health is first and foremost!

Get out there! Shut off the phones, the tv, and crank the tunes and wiggle a wee bit, or dance like your life depends on it. “Music is to the soul what words are to the mind.”

Exercise is important, but now your mental health is at the forefront. Do you have a hobby or is there something you have always wanted to try? Recently, I took up Archery. Called a few friends, and once a week we get together, kill a few balloons, giggle, belly laugh and have a lot of fun. A massive thank you to James and his crew at Antler River Archery in Delaware. It does not matter what you do, as long as you get out and do something, even if it’s just going for a nice walk, getting fresh air is also important.

We all need to protect our skin as well. The hard truth is an appropriate SPF is required for all seasons, for all skin types, for all ages, no matter what your vocation. In addition, healthy skin can assist in our mental health by boosting our confidence. Do not misunderstand this, it is not meant to be body or age shaming. Every day we rise and the first person we usually see is ourselves staring back in the bathroom mirror. You are beautiful. I know from firsthand experience, sometimes it is just harder for us to see it. Dehydrated, malnourished, mask irritated skin can flood our brains with less than accurate thoughts. Cleansing adequately, replenishing hydration, repairing environmental damage and adding nourishment when our skin needs it, is a very clear choice in boosting our health as well as our confidence.

But of course, my favourite suggestion, pamper yourself in life's simple pleasures. Get that facial, update your skincare, reserve a table at your favourite restaurant, take a ride in the country, play golf, whatever is your key to mindfulness. You absolutely deserve it.

Take in the “Easy”. One of our therapists said that to me and I felt stupefied. Almost as if I did not even realize this was an option. So again, take in the “Easy”, look at your to do list and see what can be eliminated, and what can you delegate in order to make time for yourself and your wellbeing.

I guess what I am trying to say is, YOU are absolutely amazing! Don’t doubt it for a moment, I am talking to you. For most of us, we never find enough time in our day to realize just how amazing we actually are. We are so busy trying to be strong for those around us, the time just slips on past us. And at the end of the day, exhaustion rocks us to sleep, bedded in the blanket of worry. Bottom line… Did you do enough? You did. Now go take in the “Easy”.

Who is Terryanne Daniel? Terryanne is the Centre Director for Synergy Centre, a multidisciplinary health care facility located in Northwest London. Owner of Synergy Aesthetic & Laser. Dental Professor for Fanshawe College. Certified Human Behaviour Specialist. Advanced Skincare Specialist, Certified Laser Technician. Humanitarian and Sponsor Mum to three children in Nicaragua. More importantly Mother of four, Grandma of two and let’s not forget wife to the most incredible person that is able to keep up with her shenanigans. Terryanne remains passionate about healthcare work, and the caring for others.

Hydration in The Skin

kevin@chilconsulting.com (kevin Wu) — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 12:19:54 GMT

When the skin is hydrated it is healthy, glowing and feels great! So how do we keep the skin hydrated and nourished? Contrary to popular belief, moisturizers do not give the skin hydration, they lock it in. A serum is what gives the skin hydration! Moisturizers and serums work together to replenish hydration and keep it in the skin.

We have a variety of skin care products that give the skin hydration depending on the skin care concern. Dehydrated skin can happen to any concerning skin condition, it is not just dry skin. Individuals with acne or combination skin can still experience dehydrated skin.

We recommend any of Vivier Vitamin C Serums to combat dehydrated skin. They all contain L-Ascorbic Acid USP which helps the skin to retain moisture while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Ultimage from Vivier is a fan favourite for hydration. It utilizes hyaluronic acid to add hydration to the skin and leaves it feeling softer.

Eltraderm’s Soluble Native Collagen uses hyaluronic acid to provide hydrating nourishment to deep layers of the skin, as well as advanced hydrating factors to improve the skin’s water-binding capacity and protect it from moisture loss. Collagen products are available in a gel and liquid concentrate.

Eltraderm has 2 other wonderful serums that provide hydration to the skin. The first one is Multiplex H.A. Serum, which contains Hyaluronic Acid to promote hydration and moisture retention in the skin. The second is Peptide Complex Serum, which contains Saccharide Complex that retains moisture in the skin and gives long lasting hydration effects.

Now to lock in all that hydration a good quality moisturizer is needed.

For individuals with acne prone or combination skin, we recommend CE Moisturizer from Eltraderm. This light weight moisturizer strengthens the skin while promoting long lasting hydration. It leaves the skin with a matte finish and has non pore-clogging properties. A fan favourite for younger skin.

The Hyaluron E Cream from Eltraderm soothes the skin while still protecting it from environmental stress. It provides comfort and locks in hydration for dry, combination and even sensitive skin. We recommend using Hyaluron E Cream post microdermabrasion, micro-needling, and laser rejuvenation services.

Eltraderm Peptide Cream locks in nourishment and provides anti-aging properties to the skin. The Time-released Moisturizing Biopolymers restores the quality of the skin barrier resulting in softened appearances of fine lines and wrinkles. Individuals with normal, dry and non sensitive skin will benefit from using Peptide Cream.

Finally, our skin and bodies need water! Drinking water is the easiest and one of the best things you can do for your skin and body. Being well-hydrated keeps organs functioning properly, helps keep the body’s temperature regulated, nourishes the skin and improves sleep quality and moods. Drinking water is the best way to stay hydrated! Pop, juice and coffee contains sugars and caffeine that end up dehydrating the body and skin.

It is recommended to drink 2 litres of water a day, this does change person to person depending on weight. It can be difficult reaching this goal if you are not a big fan of water or find it boring. We recommend jazzing up water by infusing it with fruit and herbs to encourage more water consumption throughout the day.

Here are a few tips and recipes to try!

Infused water is best 2-4 hours after mixing, it can also be left overnight.
To infuse water, the ingredients can float freely or an infusion pitcher can be used.
Do not go over board with mixing, it is recommended to use 2-3 fruits/herbs.
Fresh or frozen fruit can be used

Recipes

Pineapple, Coconut, Lime

5 cups of water
1 cup pineapple chunks
1 cup coconut chunks
1 lime thinly sliced

Watermelon, Kiwi, Lime

5 cups of water
1 cup watermelon cubes
1 kiwi diced
1 lime sliced into circles

Strawberry, Basil, Lemon

5 cups of water
1/2 cup strawberries stemmed and sliced
5 large basil leaves
1 lemon thinly sliced

Honeydew, Cucumber, Mint

5 cups of water
1/2 cup honeydew cubes
1 cucumber thinly sliced
10 fresh mint leaves

Significance of Collagen

kevin@chilconsulting.com (kevin Wu) — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 15:39:50 GMT

Skin - Everyone deserves healthy skin and it is possible for everyone to achieve! When we consider all the different types of treatments offered by skincare therapists and dermatologists - facials, injectables, light therapy, laser services, skin tightening, collagen remodelling, skin resurfacing, and micro-needling. The common factor of all of these services is to promote collagen production for healthier, youthful-looking skin.

So what is the significance of Collagen?

Collagen is the structural integrity of our skin. It is what gives the skin its firmness and volume, as it makes up 70-80% of the skins composition. In our 20’s we need to consider preventive care. Levels deteriorate and it becomes visibly apparent in our mid to late 30’s, this is the time to increase our diligence of care to nurture and strengthen. By our 40’s up to and including the onset of menopause we lose one-third of collagen every year! By our 40’s, 50’s and beyond we must maintain a strong foundation, restore and protect. So where do you start?

Collagen is the most important piece to consider when trying to obtain optimal skin health. No matter what service you decide to support your skin health, we need to consider the skin’s foundation - both pre and post treatment. We need to maximize the skin’s moisture-retention capabilities that will keep the skin resilient, hydrated, and supple, leading to healthier, youthful-looking skin.

So is all Collagen the same?

Gosh no! We need to consider, delivery and permeability into the skin. Plus, synergistically its ability to promote collagen production within our skin is essential. We need something soluble and hydrating. For most of us, we need a collagen that will restore, protect and suspend the aging process as long as possible. Focusing on nourishing the skins foundation is the key to healthy, rejuvenated skin.

At Synergy Aesthetic & Laser we carry 3 pharma/medical grade skin care lines, but our go to for collagen is Eltraderm. Their collagen utilizes soluble Native Collagen with a micro-molecular Hyaluronic Acid to optimize hydration. Fantastic for routine evening application. Recommended and ideal for pre and post treatments.

Eltraderm has 6 different collagen products to choose from depending on your skin concern and age. To learn more about Eltraderm’s collagen and what one will work best for you, book a complimentary consult with our advanced skin care specialists.