By The Eye desk · Last verified 4 October 2026
In Singapore, the sun is strong all year: NEA notes the UV index commonly reaches Very High or Extreme between 11am and 3pm on clear days. SPF (sun protection factor) measures protection from UVB, the rays that burn; PA ratings, from PA+ to PA++++, measure protection from UVA, the rays that age skin. SingHealth guidance recommends a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of at least SPF 30. Most people under-apply: use about a shot glass, roughly 30ml, for the whole body and at least a teaspoon for the face, and reapply every two hours and straight after swimming or sweating.
The happy news is that the right bottle is easy to spot once you can read the label, and the habit takes less time than queueing for kopi. Here is what every number means.
Quick facts
- SPF is about UVB and burning; PA, a broad-spectrum label or a UVA logo tells you about UVA protection.
- Singapore healthcare guidance recommends broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.
- SPF is tested at 2mg of product per square centimetre of skin; most people apply a half to a quarter of that.
- Reapply every two hours, and immediately after swimming, heavy sweating or towelling.
- Under the ASEAN guidelines HSA applies, SPF 50+ is the highest label allowed, and “100% protection” claims are not permitted.
- Sunscreens are regulated by HSA as cosmetics: no pre-market approval, but the seller must be able to back up its claims.
How to read the label
| Label | What it means |
|---|---|
| SPF 6 to under 15 | Low protection (ASEAN category) |
| SPF 15 to under 30 | Medium protection |
| SPF 30 to under 50 | High protection; the recommended minimum for daily use |
| SPF 50 / SPF 50+ | Very high protection; 50+ is the top label allowed |
| PA+ | Some UVA protection (PPD 2 to under 4) |
| PA++ | Moderate UVA protection (PPD 4 to under 8) |
| PA+++ | High UVA protection (PPD 8 to under 16) |
| PA++++ | Extremely high UVA protection (PPD 16 or more) |
| Broad spectrum | Protects against both UVA and UVB |
| Water resistant (40 or 80 minutes) | Keeps its SPF for that long in water when tested; reapply after |
The PA system was developed in Japan and is based on a test called persistent pigment darkening (PPD), which measures how much UVA it takes to tan protected skin. Korean and Japanese products usually show PA; European products often use a circled “UVA” logo instead; some brands show stars. All are trying to tell you the same thing: this sunscreen also guards against UVA, which passes through clouds and windows.
How much sunscreen is enough?
The SPF number on the bottle is measured in a laboratory at 2mg of sunscreen per square centimetre of skin. Testing labs report that most people apply only a half or even a quarter of that, so the protection they get is far lower than the label. These rough measures get you close to the tested amount:
- Face and neck: at least one teaspoon. Many dermatologists suggest the “two finger” method: two finger-lengths of lotion for face and neck.
- Whole body in swimwear: about a shot glass, roughly 30ml or 30g, for an average adult.
- Remember the missed spots: ears, back of the neck, tops of feet and a thinning scalp or parting.
- Apply about 15 minutes before you head out, so it settles before sweat arrives.
- Reapply every two hours outdoors, and at once after swimming, sweating or towelling.
Worked example: two adults spend six hours at the beach. Each applies about 30ml on arrival, then again at the two-hour and four-hour marks: 3 applications × 30ml × 2 people = 180ml. That is nearly two 100ml bottles for one day out, which is why a single small tube rarely lasts a family weekend.
Mineral or chemical, and which suits the tropics?
Chemical, or organic, sunscreens absorb UV using filters such as avobenzone or octocrylene; they tend to feel light and rub in clear, which many people like in humid weather. Mineral, or physical, sunscreens use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, and SingHealth guidance notes they are often recommended for sensitive skin. Both work when applied properly. In Singapore’s heat, gels and fluids suit oily skin and long days out, cream textures suit dry or air-conditioned office skin, and a water-resistant formula is worth it for sport or the beach. Sprays are convenient, but it is hard to get enough on, so spray generously and rub in.
Who checks the SPF claims in Singapore?
Sunscreens here are cosmetic products under the Health Products Act, regulated by the Health Sciences Authority. As MOH explained in Parliament in October 2025, no pre-market approval is needed, but the company selling a sunscreen must ensure its label complies and its claims can be substantiated. HSA samples and tests products after they go on sale, follows overseas regulators’ actions, and can act against false claims. The ASEAN sunscreen guidelines it applies also require the warning not to stay too long in the sun, even with sunscreen on. So buy from sellers you trust, and be wary of unfamiliar imports with no ingredient list or local importer details.
The WahLiao Verdict
Pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or more with PA+++ or PA++++ in a texture you actually enjoy wearing, because the best sunscreen is the one you use every day. Then use enough, a teaspoon for the face and a shot glass for the body, and reapply. Add shade, a hat and sunglasses between 11am and 3pm, and you have done right by your skin for years to come.
Questions people ask
Is SPF 50 twice as good as SPF 25?
No. The extra protection above SPF 30 is real but small, and applying enough matters far more than the number. SPF 50 is useful for very sensitive skin or long hours outdoors.
Do I need sunscreen on a cloudy day or indoors?
Outdoors, yes: UV passes through cloud. Indoors far from windows, the need is small, but UVA passes through glass, so a window seat or long car drives still count.
Does makeup with SPF count?
It helps, but few people wear enough foundation or powder to reach the labelled SPF. Treat it as a bonus layer over sunscreen, not a replacement.
Can babies wear sunscreen?
For young babies, shade and clothing come first; ask your doctor or pharmacist before using sunscreen on an infant, and choose a product labelled for children.
Sources: Health Sciences Authority, ASEAN sunscreen labelling guidelines; Ministry of Health, how sunscreen claims are regulated (October 2025); SingHealth, sunscreen use, SPF 30 and amounts; Sengkang General Hospital, sun-safe practices and reapplication; National Environment Agency, UV index in Singapore; Eurofins CRL, SPF testing at 2mg/cm² and water resistance. The Eye explains; it does not endorse.
Read next: Sunglasses Explained: UV400, Polarised Lenses and Prescription Options · Singapore Beaches and Water Quality · Singapore Weather by Month · Back to The Eye
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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