Factor 30 suncream

[whysorude]

Forgive me if I'm being thick, but is Factor 30 an actual sunblock or just mean that can be out in the sun for longer without getting sunburnt? 4 days of having my legs out on holiday and they are still blue-white. Is it the fact that they are cocooned for most of the year and are now blinded by the sun? Even use of gradual tanner makes no difference to their milk-bottleness. Fair enough nobody else is looking at me, not even DH, but...
Help?

I thought it means you can stay out for 30 x what you would normally without burning. So if it’s hot I burn In about 10 mins. So with factor 30 I could be out 300 mins before I need to reapply

Thanks Dizzywiz. Am similar burn time so would work out as 5 hours. Maybe I just need to stay out in the sun longer.

The factor is the fraction of burning radiation that is allowed through by the sunscreen (assuming correct application and most people don't apply enough) so SPF15 lets through one fifteenth, SPF30 lets through one thirtieth etc. Multiplying the factor by your burn time is a rough guide - so if without cream you would burn in ten minutes SPF30 would give 5 hours protection - BUT you still have to reapply every 2-3 hours or more frequently if you've been in the pool / sweated it off. Plus your burn time will reduce in the middle of the day when the UV is highest.

Remember any tan happens as a result of DNA damage. Whether you use sunscreen or not.

My legs don't change colour. Ever
My top half burns in 10 mins at 10am, my legs meanwhile just stay white. They don't even burn (I still use SPF!)