Daily SPF 30, beach SPF 50+

Yes, that’s basically it.

SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays. SPF 50 blocks about 98%. For daily life — commuting, walking the dog, sitting by a window — that extra 1% doesn’t matter much, and SPF 30 is easier to find in a texture you’ll actually wear every day.

For beach or pool days where you’re in direct sun for hours, grab SPF 50 (or 50+). The real win here is water resistance and reapplication. You’ll sweat or swim off anything after 80 minutes, and a high SPF gives you a stronger buffer against missing a spot.

Don’t bother with SPF 100. The extra protection is negligible, and