What can an online SPF checker tell you?

How to check a sunscreen online

1. 1Find the label for the product sold in your country. Sunscreen rules differ between markets, so read an imported product's label rather than assuming it matches a local version.
2. 2Look for SPF 30 or higher. SPF mainly describes protection against UVB, the ultraviolet radiation responsible for most sunburn.
3. 3Check for broad spectrum protection. This means protection against both UVA and UVB; a large SPF number is not a substitute for that wording.
4. 4Check water resistance. On US labels, water resistance lasts for either 40 or 80 minutes of swimming or sweating. Follow the product's reapplication directions.
5. 5Check the expiry date on your bottle. In the US, sunscreen without an expiry date should be discarded three years after purchase, or sooner if you do not know its age.

What the SPF number cannot tell you

SPF 30 does not mean you can stay in the sun 30 times longer. Protection also depends on the strength of the sunlight, how much sunscreen you apply, and whether you swim or sweat. Using less than the recommended amount greatly reduces protection. An online label check also cannot tell you whether your bottle has been damaged by storage: excessive heat can make sunscreen less effective.3

Which label details matter in different countries?

Canadian sunscreens approved for sale must carry a Drug Identification Number, or DIN, or a Natural Product Number, or NPN. In the EU, sunscreens are regulated as cosmetics, and the standardised UVA logo indicates the recommended minimum UVA protection. US sunscreens are regulated as drugs. The same job comes with different paperwork, because sunscreen apparently needed an administrative department.134

Does an ingredient warning mean a sunscreen is unsafe?

A request for more safety data is not the same as a finding that an ingredient is unsafe. Absorption through the skin does not itself establish a health risk. In September 2026, the FDA issued a final order removing PABA and trolamine salicylate from its sunscreen monograph, but reported no known US sunscreen products currently containing them. Other parts of its 2021 proposal remain pending. Treat proposed rules and final decisions as different things when reading a checker's warnings.35

Can a checker tell you whether sunscreen suits your skin?

Use label descriptions to narrow your choices: look for noncomedogenic, meaning formulated not to clog pores, for oily or acne prone skin, and moisturizing for dry skin. For sensitive skin, avoid fragrance and look for a sensitive skin label. Test a new sunscreen on a small area of your inner forearm and check for a reaction after 48 hours. If a rash, itching or another reaction develops, stop using that product and try another. Speak to a health care provider about a concerning reaction.23

How to get the protection on the label

Apply sunscreen generously and evenly at least 15 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply at least every two hours outdoors, and more often after swimming, sweating or towelling off. Cover exposed areas, including ears, hands and scalp. Use clothing and shade alongside sunscreen, including on cloudy days and in winter. Ask a health care provider before using sunscreen on a baby under six months.123