Close=up of woman laying on beach chair with sunglasses on, blue sky in the background.

STAY INFORMED ON SUN SCIENCE

Serious About Sun

At COOLA, we’re serious about sun protection. And about you staying informed on how to best protect your skin–for your healthiest skin possible.

Everything on SPF

Close-up image of COOLA Clear Sunscreen Spray Fragrance-Free SPF 50 with water droplets on packaging.

What does SPF stand for?

SPF stands for sun protection factor. Sunscreens are classified by an SPF number which refers to their ability to deflect UVB rays.

Woman and man sitting on beach, woman reading book with coastal background.

How does SPF rating work?

The SPF rating is calculated by comparing the amount of time needed to burn sunscreen-protected skin vs. unprotected skin. For example, if wearing SPF 30, it takes 30 times longer to burn than not wearing any sunscreen at all.

Tube of COOLA Classic Body Sunscreen lotion sitting on a striped beach towel

What is broad-spectrum SPF?

A broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays penetrate the skin’s thickest layer and can lead to premature skin aging, while UVB rays burn the superficial layers of your skin and play a key role in the development of skin cancer. Using a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher protects against both types of skin damage.

BE IN THE KNOW

The Best Way to SPF Every Day

Studies show that most people only apply 25-50% of the recommended amount of sunscreen. We want to make sure your skin is well-protected—when applying SPF to your body, use one ounce, which is about the amount that would fill a shot glass. When applying SPF to your face, use the size of a nickel, which is around 1/3 of a teaspoon. Apply your SPF at least 15 minutes before any kind of sun exposure, even if you’re just sitting near windows, or if it’s cloudy outside. Sunscreen should be applied at least every 2 hours to maintain full SPF protection, no matter your favorite formula. If you’re swimming, or even sweating, you should apply again after the water-resistant time, which is 40 minutes to 80 minutes, depending on the product. Finally, don’t forget to reapply after towel drying!

Close-up of woman applying sunscreen lotion to chest.

KNOW YOUR SPF

Chemical vs Mineral Sunscreen

Chemical and mineral sunscreens differ in their active sun protection ingredients. Our chemical sunscreens contain active FDA-approved chemical filters like Octisalate and Avobenzone, optimized with our proprietary plant-derived technology, that work by absorbing into your skin and transforming UV radiation into heat. Our mineral sunscreens contain active mineral filters like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, which create a physical barrier on your skin’s surface, shielding it from harmful UV rays. Our chemical and mineral SPFs both guarantee broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays.

White bottle of COOLA Clear Skin Oil-Free Moisturizer Zinc Oxide Sunscreen sitting on rock with blue sky background.

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Mineral SPF

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Hands holding tube of COOLA Dew Good Illuminating Body Melt Lotion SPF 40 with blue sky background.

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Chemical SPF

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Jar of COOLA Refreshing Water Cream SPF 50 dropped in water, blue jar

DIGITAL DE-STRESS

Blue Light Defense

What is blue light?

Blue light (also known as high energy visible light, or HEV) is the strong light that emits from the screens of cell phones, computers, tablets, and TVs, as well as fluorescent and LED lighting.

Why do I need blue light defense?

Considering we spend up to 12 hours a day in front of digital screens, we’re often getting a lot more exposure to blue light than we are to UV. Plus, research indicates that blue light can reach deeper into the skin than UVA and UVB rays, taking a toll on the health of our skin.

How do I protect my skin from blue light?

Choose products that feature BlueScreenTM Digital De-StressTM Technology, COOLA’s proprietary blend that helps mitigate the effects of blue light, infrared, and pollution.