The Supergoop! Suncyclopedia

Have a question about when to reapply? Still not sure what “blue light” is, and too afraid to ask at this point? We’ve got you covered. Scroll for fast facts about SPF and skin safety, definitions of trending terms, answers to all of your SPF FAQs and so much more.

• 1 in 5 people will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime (Source: Mayo Clinic)
  
  
• Up to 90% of the visible signs of skin aging are caused by the sun (Source: EPA)
  
  
• 5% to 10% of skin cancer is found around the eyes (Source: NIH)
  
  
• Most people only use one third to half of the sunscreen they’re supposed to! The trick is applying generously: As a rule of thumb, you can use at least 1/4 teaspoon (or roughly a quarter-sized amount) for face and at least 1 oz (enough to fill a shot glass) for body
  
  
• 2 hours is the recommended amount of time you should wait before reapplying SPF
  
  
• Up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays reach the earth, even on cloudy days (Source: American Academy of Dermatology)
  
  
• SPF 30 to 50 is optimal for everyday skin protection (Source: American Academy of Dermatology)
  
  
• SPF is the #1 thing you can do for your skin!of the most important things you can do for your skin: Wear SPF!

Blue light: A type of visible light that makes up about ⅓ of the light we can see. The primary source of blue light is the sun, but it can also come from TV screens, computer monitors and smartphones. Blue light can contribute to visible signs of aging like skin pigmentation and dark spots.

Broad spectrum: An SPF labeled “broad spectrum” protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

Chemical SPF: A type of sunscreen that works as a sponge to absorb UV rays. Chemical sunscreens can be formulated to leave no white cast and are a great option for all skin tones.

Epidermis: The outermost layer of your skin.

Hyperpigmentation: According to Dr. Deirdre Hooper, hyperpigmentation is dark patches on the skin that can be triggered by trauma, acne and UV damage.

Melanoma: A type of skin cancer that causes the large majority of skin cancer deaths. (Source: American Cancer Society)

Mineral SPF: Also known as “physical” SPF, mineral sunscreens contain mineral actives, such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, that sit on top of the skin (like makeup!) and work as a physical shield to block UV rays. They can never be 100% invisible but can be formulated to be sheer and blendbale. Plus, they can be a great option for those with sensitive skin.

SPF: Sun Protection Factor, which is the measure of protection from the sun’s UVB (burning) rays.

SPF 30: The minimum amount of daily SPF protection you should be wearing; it helps protect your skin from approximately 97% of UVB rays.

SPF 50: Helps protect your skin from approximately 98% of UVB rays.

SPF >50: Anything over SPF 50 won’t protect your skin from that much more of the sun’s rays and may give a false sense of all-day protection.

Sun damage: What can happens to your skin when it goes unprotected against UVA and UVB rays. It typically refers to signs of aging and/or skin cancer.

UV radiation: Invisible rays that come from sources like the sun.

UV index: A numbered scale from 1 (low) to 11+ (extremely high) that measures the expected risk of overexposure to the sun’s UV rays.

UVA rays: Also known as aging rays, these rays can cause signs of premature skin aging like wrinkles and age spots. They maintain the same strength all year round, and can even shine through clouds and windows.

UVB rays: Also known as burning rays, these rays can cause skin damage like sunburn, blistering and skin cancer.

Vitamin C: A powerhouse ingredient known to help visibly brighten skin. Vitamin C breaks down when exposed to the sun, so is only truly effective when worn with SPF.

Vitamin D: A nutrient that helps build and maintain healthy bones. Contrary to popular belief, vitamin D can be obtained from many other sources in addition to the sun (like your diet!).

Do Supergoop! products provide broad spectrum protection?
Of course! All of our products provide broad spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

If I wear SPF 30 and SPF 15 does it add up to SPF 45?
SPF numbers don’t “add up” — your skin is only protected by the highest amount of SPF that you put on. So if you apply both an SPF 15 and an SPF 30 then the highest amount your skin will be protected by is the SPF 30.

Do I need to wear SPF indoors?
Yes! The sun’s UVA rays (also known as “aging” rays, which can cause signs of premature skin aging like wrinkles and age spots) can shine through clouds and windows.

Why do I need to reapply SPF?
Sunscreens wear off throughout the day and some can be broken down by the sun’s rays. That’s why it’s important to reapply sunscreen at least every two hours, or immediately after toweling or being in water.

If I have to reapply SPF every two hours, does that countdown start when I first apply my sunscreen or when I go out into the sun?
You should reapply SPF at least every two hours starting from when you first apply it! For example, if you were to apply SPF at noon and then go outside at 1pm, you would need to reapply at 2pm (two hours after application, not two hours after going outdoors).

Are Supergoop! products cruelty-free?
Absolutely! Since day one, we have never tested on animals. Moreover, nearly all of our products are vegan, meaning they're not formulated with any animal byproducts. You can learn more about our ingredients here.

Can mineral SPF be invisible?
Nope! While mineral sunscreens can be sheer and blendable (like our Mineral Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40), they can never be 100% invisible. This is because they’re made with mineral actives, which are white powders that sit on top of the skin and work as a physical shield to block UV rays.

What’s the difference between mineral and chemical SPF?
The primary differences between chemical and mineral sunscreens are their active ingredients and how they protect your skin from UV rays. Get the breakdown below!

Crystal Radiance Technology: A unique technology in Glowscreen SPF 40 that uniformly distributes light-reflecting pearls that enhance your natural radiance, visibly even skin and add subtle dimension to the contours of your face. Unlike traditional glitter or metallic pigments, this technology was designed to work with your skin, not just on it, providing natural diffusion and an effortless lit-from-within finish.

Every. Single. Day.™: This is our motto, and a reminder of how often you should be wearing SPF!

Experts in SPF™: We’ve been raising the bar for effective, feel-good sunscreen for nearly 20 years! We’re proud to have revolutionized an industry, pioneered countless innovations and led a movement to change the way the world things about sunscreen.

Live Bright: This is our constant state of mind! We live life like the sun is always shining — that means seeing the bright side in every moment, and it also means treating our skin with care 365 days a year.

Mineral Blend Technology: Technology we incorporate in our mineral formulas, which allows them to blend more easily onto your skin.

No List: Ingredients we never use in our products so we can deliver products you can trust that meet the highest global standards for quality and safety. You can find the list here!

Protect Your Investment®: If you’re spending money on skincare with hardworking ingredients like retinol, AHA, BHA or vitamin C, you should be protecting that investment with SPF, which actually helps prevent the damage that your other products are trying to correct!

SheerMatrix Technology: A breakthrough technology in our Mineral Sheerscreen SPF 30 that creates an ultra-lightweight, web-like structure, allowing for the formula to stretch into a sheer finish without compromising efficacy.

SPF Wardrobe: An SPF routine that’s tailored to your skin’s needs and desired benefits. SPF wardrobes consist of multiple SPF products layered on top of one another, such as wearing our Triple Prep SPF 40 moisturizer, Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 primer and Protec(tint) SPF 50 skin tint together.

VIPs: Very Important Places like your eyes, hands and lips that shouldn’t be overlooked when it comes to sunscreen application.

Wear Sunscreen: Well, this one speaks for itself!