Choosing between SPF 50 vs. SPF 70 and unsure which is best for you? Discover the real differences and learn how to pick the right SPF for your needs.
Is 70 the new 50? When it comes to SPF, we love them both. From daily coverage in peak summer to all-out protection if your surf trip turns tropical (lucky you),if you’re comparing SPF 50 vs 70, or wondering does SPF 70 work better than 50, the answer comes down to how intense your sun exposure is.
UVB is the part of sunlight that causes sunburn and most sun damage. The number after SPF tells you how much of it the formula blocks. SPF 50 blocks about 98%, while SPF 70 blocks closer to 98.5%,according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The gap is small, but SPF 50 lets through about 2% while SPF 70 only lets through 1.5%. That’s about 25% less UV reaching your skin with SPF 70, which matters when the sun’s at full strength. This is the real difference when choosing between 50 vs 70 SPF in strong sun.
SPF 50 sits at the high-protection end of the SPF range. It blocks about 98% of UVB and shows up in every sunscreen format: lotions, sprays, sticks, mineral formulas. It’s the strong-coverage SPF for peak summer days, fair skin daily wear, or anyone who wants more than SPF 30 without going too heavy with SPF 70.
Easier to wear than SPF 70. Lighter feel and faster rub-in than SPF 70, easier to wear daily.
Strong UVB protection. SPF 50 blocks about 98% of UVB, plenty for most full sun situations.
Widely available. SPF 50 shows up across formats and price points, easier to find than SPF 70 in most lineups.
Lets more UV through. SPF 50 lets through about 2% of UVB, which can matter for fair skin or full-sun days.
Not always enough for high-stakes sun. Long days in intense UV, snow trips, or post-procedure recovery may call for stronger coverage.
Smaller margin for sensitive skin. Fair or reactive skin, or anyone on meds or skincare that makes them more sun sensitive, may want more than SPF 50 offers.
SPF 50 is the strong-coverage daily SPF for serious sun protection or as a daily face SPF for fair skin. It’s the smart pick when SPF 30 isn’t enough but SPF 70 is more than you need.
SPF 70 is the strongest sunscreen most brands offer, blocking closer to 98.5% of UVB. It’s built for max coverage days like surf trips near the equator, full days in the summer sun, or skin that runs especially fair or sensitive. Say hello to the heaviest duty SPF on the shelf.
Maximum UVB protection. SPF 70 lets through about 25% less UV than SPF 50, the highest coverage on most shelves.
Built for fair and sensitive skin. If you burn easily, SPF 70 gives you the most coverage to lean on.
Built for the strongest sun. Holds up through long days in full UV like marathon summer sessions and all day summer hangs in full sun.
Heavier feel. SPF 70 can feel thicker than SPF 50, making it harder to wear daily.
Costs more. The strongest SPFs usually carry a higher price tag than SPF 50.
More than you need most days. For peak summer daily use, SPF 50 covers the bases with a lighter feel.
SPF 70 is the answer for intense sun. Warm water surf trips, snow days, all day marathon surf sessions, or beach days where you’re chasing groms for hours. It’s also the smart pick for fair or sensitive skin or post procedure recovery.
Yes, SPF 70 works better than SPF 50, but only slightly. It blocks about 25% less UV in real terms, a meaningful upgrade for fair skin, full sun days, or anyone who wants the absolute strongest coverage. For most other situations, SPF 50 is plenty. The “better” question comes down to how much extra coverage you actually need. Sometimes folks ask us is SPF 50 better than SPF 70? And not in terms of protection. SPF 70 blocks slightly more UVB than SPF 50. But SPF 50 can be the better choice for daily wear because it’s lighter, easier to apply, and still offers very high protection.
Both SPF 50 and SPF 70 are excellent picks. Both block 98%+ of UVB and both hold up through a full day in the sun. The choice comes down to a few questions. Fair, reactive, or post procedure skin? SPF 70. Headed somewhere with extreme UV? SPF 70. Want serious daily protection in an easy-to wear formula? SPF 50. Either pick gets you covered.
For most people most days, yes. SPF 50 covers daily peak summer wear with a lighter feel. SPF 70 makes more sense in extreme conditions: high-UV destinations, snow days, fair or reactive skin, or post-procedure recovery. For a normal weekday in moderate sun, SPF 70 is more than you need. For intense sun days, it’s exactly enough.
About two hours, the same as any sunscreen. Higher SPF doesn’t mean longer lasting protection. It just means more UVB blockage at the start. Sunscreen wears down with sweat, water, and time in the sun, so the two-hour rule applies whether you’re wearing SPF 30 or SPF 70. Inside or in shade, you can stretch it longer. In direct sun, two hours is the cap.
No, SPF 50 isn’t too much for daily use. It blocks about 98% of UVB and shows up in plenty of lightweight, wearable formulas, especially face SPFs built for daily wear. It’s a smart daily pick for fair skin, peak summer, or anyone who wants more than the SPF 30 baseline. Dial down to SPF 30 only if SPF 50 feels too heavy or you’re mostly inside.
Choosing between SPF 30 vs. SPF 50 and unsure which is best for you? Discover the real differences and learn how to pick the right SPF for your needs.
Choosing between SPF 15 vs. SPF 30 and unsure which is best for you? Discover the real differences and learn how to pick the right SPF for your needs.
Choosing between SPF 30 vs. SPF 70 and unsure which is best for you? Discover the real differences and learn how to pick the right SPF for your needs.
If you’re wondering how to treat baby sunburn, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Babies have sensitive skin, and it’s super important to soothe that burn ASAP.
Skip the screen—not a big deal, right? Ummm... We all know we’re serious about the screen around here, but you might be surprised to find out why. ‘Cuz it’s not just about the risk of getting a burn (although we really, really hate that).
