sun FAQs

UVB and UVA rays from the sun can be damaging to the skin – if the proper sunscreen protection isn’t worn during sun exposure, this contributes to aging, can cause unsightly skin damage…and even skin cancer.

For over 50 years, we’ve been bringing trusted suncare to consumers, making products with your everyday beauty in mind. Infused with skin-loving island-inspired botanicals and ingredients like papaya, mango, passion fruit, plumeria, guava, and aloe, our suncare products don’t just protect your skin, they nourish it.

It was once widely believed that a 15 SPF product offered sufficient UV protection under most conditions. Over the last few years that school of thought has changed. It is now known that, often more sun protection is desirable.
It's ideal to select a sunscreen that blocks enough UV rays to adequately protect your skin type. Use the Sun Protection Factor Guide to help determine your skin type and appropriate SPF. If you have very fair or sensitive skin, a history of skin cancer, or take photo-sensitizing medications, you may need a higher SPF.
SPF ratings are determined in a laboratory setting. SPF-30 products are estimated to allow 1/30 of the sun’s burning rays to get through to the skin (protects against almost 97% of the sun’s burning rays). SPF-50 products are estimated to allow 1/50 of the sun’s burning rays to get through to the skin (protects against approximately 98% of the sun’s burning rays). Actual protection may vary and will depend on the user applying adequate amounts. Reapply at least every 2 hours or as directed on the package to help ensure adequate protection.

UVA is long-wavelength (320-400 nm) UV and accounts for up to 95 percent of the solar UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface, according to a press release from The Skin Cancer Foundation called “Shining Light on Ultraviolet Radiation.” UVA can penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, and has for years been thought to play a major part in skin aging and wrinkling. Importantly, recent studies strongly suggest that it may also initiate and exacerbate the development of skin cancers. UVA rays are present during all daylight hours and throughout the winter months.

Although UVA rays are less intense than short wavelengths, (UVB) they are present all year round, and depending upon the time of the year, can be 30 to 50 times more prevalent than UVB rays. Furthermore, UVA radiation can penetrate glass and clouds. Thus, we are exposed to large doses of UVA throughout our lifetime. UVB is the middle range of UV with wavelengths between 290-320 nm. It is very biologically active and is responsible for burning, tanning, and acceleration of skin aging, and plays a very key role in the development of skin cancer. The intensity of UVB varies by season, location and time of day.

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. This is a multiplier that tells you how much longer you can remain in the sun without a burn when wearing a sunscreen. For example SPF 50 allows you to stay in the sun with less risk of sunburn for fifty times longer than you would if you weren’t wearing sunscreen. Regardless of the SPF level you use, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating to help keep your skin protected.

As a general rule, sunscreen always goes on first. The reason is that the sunscreen has to bind with the skin to absorb or block the sun's rays. So, sunscreen first, and make-up second—even if your moisturizer has an SPF in it.

Well, a daily moisturizer with SPF is okay for the first two hours after you apply it. But if you put it on at 8 a.m. and are heading out to lunch at noon, be sure to apply more sunscreen if you plan to sit outside – since you’ll be past the TGA-recommended 2-hour application period.

Water resistance is measured by determining the level of SPF on the skin after a certain period of time in the water. Water resistancy is however is lab tested and does not take into consideration other common factors which could affect this result such as towel drying, the natural exfoliant of sand, and rubbing of skin. To ensure adequate protection sunscreen should always be reapplied at a minimum of every two hours or after swimming, excessive perspiration and towel drying.

Although shade offers good protection, the lack of direct sun can be misleading and we still highly recommended you to wear sunscreen, sunglasses and protective clothing when outside even when not in direct sunlight. Unlike sun rays, UV is invisible to the naked eye and is easily spread to shaded areas as it bounces off other surfaces such as concrete, water and sand.

Shake well before use. Hold can 10-15 away from body and apply generously to all exposed areas, rubbing into skin by hand for full and even coverage.
Do not spray directly on face. Spray on hands and then apply to the face.
Use it in a well ventilated area. Avoid inhalation. Do not apply in windy conditions
Wait 20 minutes before you head into the sun and allow to dry.
Reapply every 2 hours or more often when sweating and or immediately after swimming or using a towel.
Cover up with a hat, long-sleeved shirt and sunnies.
Stay cool, and find shade especially between 10am-3pm.