SPF50 phototype.

SPF50: For what type of skin?

The SPF50 is a symbol found on many sunscreens. It is an index indicating the level of protection against sunburn. SPF50 is particularly suitable and recommended for certain skin types. Therefore, before purchasing a product with SPF50, it is essential to know your skin type.

Summary
Published June 23, 2021, updated on October 4, 2024, by Stéphanie, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences — 4 min read

How to Choose the Right SPF?

The choice of an SPF is not solely dependent on the number that follows, but also on the skin type. To determine if a skincare product with an SPF is suitable for your skin, you need to refer to your phototype. This is a classification that allows us to understand how a person's skin reacts to sun exposure. To date, there are six:

  • Phototype I: Milky/very fair skin, covered with freckles when exposed to the sun, invariably experiences sunburn even during very short sun exposure, never tans but turns red;

  • Phototype II: Light skin, displays freckles in the sun, sometimes acquires a slight tan, frequently suffers from sunburn;

  • Phototype III: Light to medium skin with a few freckles, which occasionally burns and tans slowly (classic golden tan);

  • Phototype IV: Medium skin with no freckles, rarely sunburns, and tans easily (deep tan);

  • Phototype V: Dark skin that rarely experiences sunburn and tans very quickly (pronounced tanning);

  • Phototype VI: Naturally pigmented black skin that may develop patches of hyperpigmentation and sunburns during prolonged exposure.

SPF50: For what type of skin?

Products with an SPF50 are particularly suitable for very fair to fair skin, or for people with phototype I and II. These categories of individuals are highly sensitive to UV rays. Indeed, their skin produces very little melanin, the pigment responsible for tanning, so it tans with difficulty but reacts very quickly and harshly when exposed to the sun, even for a very short time. However, tanning is an essential defense system to protect the skin from UV rays. The application of a sunscreen with a minimum SPF50 is therefore recommended, as it provides a high level of sun protection and thus helps to prevent sunburn. Of course, it is necessary to apply the adequate amount and do so regularly to ensure effective sun protection.

Indeed, SPF50 prevents sunburn, thus protecting us from UVB rays, but it does not, however, protect the skin from UVA rays. In fact, it was long believed that only UVB rays were responsible for the development of cancers, as they cause sunburn. However, UVA rays, associated with skin aging, cause deep damage and are also involved in the onset of skin cancers. To date, no sunscreen can guarantee total protection against UVA and UVB rays. However, several sunscreen products contain ingredients that filter or reflect UVA and UVB rays such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, uvinul A Plus, Tinosorb S, etc... In addition, it is recommended to limit the duration of sun exposure and to resort to other means of protection (the cap, clothing, glasses, shade, etc...).

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