Which sunblock should I use, spf 25 or spf 50?

Question

I work in the kitchen (hot and smoky) for 4-6 hours, cycling to work back and forth 40 minutes (between 10 am to 3 pm). I heard spf 50 will do harm for your face but I also heard spf 25 is no use, you just have to put it again after a few hours. any opinion is welcome. serious answers only, please.

Answer 1

I don't think spf 50 will harm your face.  Just make sure you get sunblock that is specifically made for faces.

I would actually recommend spf 30 if you can find it.  It lasts for quite awhile.  It also helps to "layer" sunblock to make sure you are fully covered.  

I use a moisturizer with sunblock built in (spf 30) and then I follow that with my liquid makeup, and it is also SPF 15.

Answer 2

Think of an SPF as a time-extender for sun exposure.  If it normally takes you 10 minutes to burn in the sun WITHOUT sunscreen, and you use an SPF 25, you can stay out in the sun 250 minutes.  It is not cumulative, however.  You can't re-apply after that 250 minutes of continuous sun exposure and expect the same results.

SO...it sounds as if an SPF 25 is fine, but you will need to re-apply after work, before you go home again.  The hot and smoky will sweat the SPF off.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Answer 3

SPF 50 will do no harm to your face. Heck, you can never get enough SunProtectionFactor.  However, no matter how high your SPF is- or which brand of sunscreen you use, you have to reapply frequently and liberally otherwise you won't get the amount of protection you want.  

Basically, SPF 50 is perfectly safe, and no matter what SPF you use, you have to reapply ever few hours... and if you don't apply enough you'll only get a fraction of the SPF coverage on the bottle.

Answer 4

I everyday use spf 30 on my arms and face, you can use spf 25, it will be fine.