The invention is used to ascertain a sun protection factor for light, for example for cosmetics and sunscreens for which a sun protection factor (SPF) is specified. Two measurements of the light backscattering on the skin surface are carried out in vivo or in vitro or on skin models (animal skin models or artificial skin models) before and after applying the radiation protection means onto the skin, and the sun protection factor is ascertained therefrom. In contrast to standard methods used until now, the distance between the lighting surface and the detection surface on the skin is ascertained for the irradiation path of the measurement method. The skin lighting dose used during the measurement lies below harmful limits. The sun protection factor can be ascertained according to previous standards or for additional wavelengths or wavelength ranges (e.g. UVA, VIS, NIR, IR).