SPF30 vs SPF50+: does the number matter on the Gold Coast?

Skincare & beauty ·Published 10 October 2026 ·Reviewed 10 October 2026

Written by the Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair team. Reviewed by Jason Markey, BPharmSci, MPharm, Owner and Pharmacist.

General health information from a registered pharmacist. It doesn’t replace advice from your own pharmacist or doctor.

For a day outdoors on the Gold Coast, choose SPF50 or SPF50+. That’s what Cancer Council recommends, and SPF50+ is the highest rating allowed on Australian sunscreens. But the gap between SPF30 and SPF50+ is smaller than the numbers suggest: in lab testing, SPF30 filters about 96.7% of UVB rays and SPF50+ about 98.3%. How much sunscreen you put on, and how often you reapply it, matters more than the number on the bottle.

That’s worth knowing here. Cancer Council Queensland says that every day in Queensland the UV Index reaches 3 or above, the point where UV is too strong to be outside without protecting your skin. Whichever SPF you buy, you’ll be using a lot of it, so here’s what the numbers mean and how to get the protection the label promises.

How much more protection does SPF50+ give?

SPF stands for sun protection factor. It tells you how well a sunscreen filters UVB, the type of UV radiation mainly responsible for sunburn. SunSmart explains that the rating comes from lab tests in which sunscreen is applied liberally and compared with bare skin. A simple way to read it: SPF30 lets roughly one-thirtieth of UVB through to your skin, and SPF50 about one-fiftieth.

Here’s how SunSmart, Cancer Council Victoria’s sun protection program, compares the three ratings you’ll see on Australian shelves:

The protection level column uses Cancer Council’s terms: SPF30 to SPF50 give a high level of protection, and SPF50+ gives very high protection.

Looked at one way, the step up is small. The TGA says the difference in protection between SPF30 and SPF50 is minimal, and SunSmart says it’s safe to keep using an SPF30 you already own, as it still gives a high level of protection. Looked at another way, SPF50+ lets through about half as much UVB as SPF30 (1.7% compared with 3.3%). For time outdoors, Cancer Council recommends SPF50 or SPF50+.

What should you look for on an Australian sunscreen label?

SPF50+

Sunscreens in Australia are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and SPF50+ is the highest SPF label currently allowed. Cancer Council explains that the plus sign means “more than”. According to the TGA, under the current Australian standard a product must have a test result of at least SPF60 to be labelled SPF50+. That’s why you won’t see SPF70 or SPF100 on an Australian label.

Broad spectrum

SPF only describes UVB. Cancer Council explains that broad-spectrum sunscreens filter both UVA and UVB, and the TGA says broad-spectrum testing makes sure a product also shields you from UVA rays, which are linked to long-term skin damage. Check the label for both: SPF50+ and broad spectrum.

Water resistant

A water-resistant sunscreen stays on your skin during swimming or exercise, as long as it isn’t wiped off, according to Cancer Council. Labels state how long, such as “4 hours water resistant”. Treat it as water resistant for the time stated on the label, and no longer. Even then, Cancer Council advises reapplying every two hours, because sunscreen can rub or wash off, and its science page notes that all sunscreens become less effective after exposure to water.

Why does the amount you apply matter more than the number?

The TGA notes that most people don’t use enough sunscreen. Because the SPF rating is based on a generous layer, a thin smear won’t give you the protection shown on the label, whatever the number. Put the TGA’s two points together (a minimal difference between SPF30 and SPF50, and most people applying too little) and it’s clear the habits below matter more than choosing between 30 and 50.

Cancer Council’s guide for an adult:

• Use about 7 teaspoons (around 35 mL) for a whole-body application.
• That’s at least one teaspoon each for your face, neck and ears; each arm; each leg; your front; and your back.
• Apply it 20 minutes before you go outside.
• Reapply every two hours, and after swimming, sweating or towelling.

A few habits that make this easier on the coast:

• Put sunscreen on at home, before you get to the beach, when it’s easy to do properly.
• Set a phone reminder for the two-hour top-up.
• Keep a bottle in your bag, but out of the hot car.
• Don’t forget your ears, the back of your neck, the tops of your feet and along your hairline.

Do you need sunscreen every day on the Gold Coast?

Cancer Council recommends sunscreen whenever the UV Index is 3 or above, no matter the season. Cancer Council Queensland says UV reaches that level every day in Queensland, and reminds us that even on cloudy and cool days we need to think about UV, not heat. So daily sunscreen on your face, neck, ears, arms and hands is a sensible habit here.

That doesn’t mean a beach-strength routine for an office day. Cancer Council says that for mostly indoor days with only brief sun exposure, an SPF30 product provides adequate protection. Save the full SPF50+ application, hat and shade for time outdoors.

Sunscreen is also only one part of sun protection. When the UV Index is 3 or above, use all five steps: slip on clothing, slop on sunscreen, slap on a broad-brimmed hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses. Our guide to sun safety on the Gold Coast covers the rest.

How can our team help?

Choosing between SPF30 and SPF50+ is the easy part. Finding a texture you’ll want to wear every day is harder, especially in a humid Gold Coast summer. Our beauty advisors can help you compare light fluids, gels, lotions and tinted options through our skincare and sun care advice, and our pharmacists can help if you have sensitive skin or you’re buying for children.

You can browse the sun protection range on priceline.com.au or ask us in store at Pacific Fair. If you’ve already had too much sun, our guide to sunburn treatment explains what to do next. For help choosing a formula, see our sunscreen buyer’s checklist and our guide to mineral vs chemical sunscreen.

When to see a pharmacist or GP

Talk to a pharmacist if:

• a sunscreen stings, itches or causes a rash (stop using it and bring it in so we can help you find an alternative)
• you’re choosing sun protection for a baby, a young child or someone with very sensitive skin

See a GP (our in-store Help Medical GPs are one option) if:

• your sunburn has large areas of blistering, severe pain, or signs of infection such as fever or yellow crusts
• you have signs of dehydration after time in the sun, such as dizziness, tiredness or passing less urine
• you notice a spot or mole that is new, changing or looks different from your others

Call 000 in an emergency. healthdirect says heatstroke is a medical emergency: if someone becomes confused, has a seizure or loses consciousness after time in the sun, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist or you’re worried, talk to your pharmacist or GP. In an emergency, call 000.