With hundreds of sunscreen choices lining the shelves, which sunscreen is best for you? We have the key things to look for when choosing sun protection.
We've all been there -- we walk into the drugstore to get a good sunscreen for those hot summer days only to be bombarded by higher SPF levels every year, not to mention a multitude of varieties. How do you choose? There are some basic things to look for when selecting your sunscreen. Here are the most important:
- Toss last year's sunscreen: The shelf life isn't the best when it comes to sunscreen because of the ingredients (minerals, moisturizers, etc.) So nix your old stuff and go and buy some new product, then add it to your daily summer beauty routine (put it on right after getting out of the shower). It's better to spend a few extra dollars than risk getting a burn by using the year-old sunscreen. Also, because of the ingredients, you skin could have a different reaction than it did before.
- Determine your SPF level: Each year it seems, there is a new higher SPF, and many think you should automatically go higher. This is no necessarily the case -- although generally the higher the better. First determine your skin type. Are you fair and burn easily? Then you need to choose a higher SPF (think SPF 45 and up). Are you medium toned and tan but rarely burn? Then you should be looking at at least mid-ranged SPFs (30 - 45). Dark skinned? You naturally have an SPF of 4 because of the pigmentation in your skin, but that doesn't mean you should skimp on the SPF in your sunscreen. People with dark skin should choose at least an SPF of 15 - 30. No matter what your skin type or if you burn easily or not, you should never go without a minimum of SPF 15.
- Check the ingredients: The most important ingredient to look for in your sunscreen is Zinc. Zinc is what actually absorbs the sun's rays before it goes into your skin, keeping the damaging UVA and UVB rays at bay. The Zinc provides an invisible barrier between the sun and your skin. Micronized Zinc is relatively new and since the Zinc particles are very fine, the lotion will go on smoother and minus the white streaky residue.
- The price factor: Price generally doesn't play a part when it comes to sunscreen. As long as it has your required SPF and Zinc. Name brand versus non-name brand doesn't have its advantages here. But, if you find a brand you like (perhaps it's fragrance-free, oil-free, or has extra moisturizers such as Aloe) stick to it.
- Face versus body: Many people buy two sunscreens: one for the face and one for the body. These days it doesn't make too much of a difference, you just need to know your skin type for your face. If you tend to be a little on the oily side, opt for an oil-free sunscreen that is more like a lotion than a thick cream (Coppertone makes a great one called Spectra3, that is oil-free, fragrance-free, and has moisturizers). If you have dry skin, look for one with added moisturizers like Aloe (many children's varieties have Aloe), so you can have an all-in-one sunscreen. On the other hand there are so many sunscreens for the face that have both high SPF levels and moisturizers. Find one with a tint and you have taken care of three steps in your beauty routine.
- Remember: 90 % of all skin cancers are preventable, so slather on the sunscreen and contact your doctor if you see and discolouration or unusual spots.
The copyright of the article Choosing Sunscreen in Beauty is owned by Jennifer Weatherhead. Permission to republish Choosing Sunscreen in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
