What SPF should I wear every day living in Cairns?

Cairns regularly records a UV index of 11 or higher between November and March, and it stays in the moderate-to-high range for most of the rest of the year. That is well above the level at which unprotected skin can burn within minutes, so daily sun protection matters here in a way it might not in a cooler, lower-UV part of the country.

What “broad-spectrum SPF 50+” actually means

Broad-spectrum means the sunscreen filters both UVB (the main cause of sunburn) and UVA (linked to pigmentation and premature ageing) radiation. SPF 50+ is currently the highest labelling available in Australia and offers meaningfully more protection than lower SPF products when applied correctly. No sunscreen blocks 100 percent of UV, which is why it works best alongside shade and protective clothing rather than as a stand-alone solution.

Applying it properly

Most people apply far less sunscreen than the amount used in testing, which means real-world protection is often lower than the labelled SPF suggests. A generous, even layer over all exposed skin, applied around 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapplied at least every two hours (more often after swimming or heavy sweating), gets much closer to the labelled level of protection.

Why it matters beyond sunburn

Consistent daily UV exposure is a major driver of pigmentation, premature skin ageing and skin cancer risk, and Australia already has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world. In a climate where high UV is a year-round feature rather than a summer event, daily sunscreen is one of the simplest, most evidence-based habits for long-term skin health.