How to Choose a Sunscreen

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Not all sunscreens are created equal. To get the best protection, follow these guidelines.

To complete this How-To you will need:

SPF 15 or higher
A sunscreen with micronized zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
Broad-spectrum protection

Step 1: Know the lingo

Know the difference between sunscreen and sunblock: sunscreen absorbs ultraviolet rays; sunblock reflects them. Both protect your skin, but sunscreen takes about 20 minutes to start working.

Tip: Dermatologists recommend a teaspoon of sunscreen for the face and a shot glass full for the rest of the body.

Step 2: Look at the SPF number

Understand the Sun Protection Factor number. SPF 15 means you can stay in the sun 15 times longer than the amount of time your skin could be exposed, unprotected, without burning. The SPF number only refers to UVB rays, but not UVA rays. Both have been linked to skin cancer.

Tip: An SPF 15 blocks 93 percent of the sun's UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97 percent, and SPF 50 blocks 99 percent.

Step 3: Check the ingredients

Check the ingredients. Though nothing has been proven definitively, concerns have been raised about the safety of the ingredients PABA and oxybenzone, also known as benzophenone-3, so consider avoiding them in favor of micronized zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide.

Step 4: Get "broad spectrum"

Choose a sunscreen that offers "broad spectrum protection" to protect your skin against both UVA and UVB rays. Look for one that contains Mexoryl.

Step 5: Be skeptical

Be skeptical of claims like "natural," "all-day protection" and "blocks all harmful rays." These boasts are often exaggerations.

Tip: There's no such thing as a truly "sweat-proof" or "waterproof" sunscreen, so reapply often if you're sweating or swimming.

Step 6: Check the expiration date

Check the expiration date to make sure it's still potent. Chuck an open bottle of sunscreen if you've had it for more than a year.

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• HealthBeauty
• choose
• choosing
• picking
• sunscreen
• protection
• sun
• summer
• beach
• best
• buying

[01Lila10]

"Only white people really need sun protection"

You have no idea how uneducated that sounds go do your research any body can get skin cancer tan or fair skinned its just that tan and dark skinned people are slightly more resilient but that doesn't mean their immune

[TeenageAznBoy]

It is still very helpful and they can make any video they want to make. The title says it all, if you didn't want to learn how to choose a sunshine than why did you click it.

[thegirlinhotpink]

aww at 1:34!!

[relussier]

The term "Sunblock" will be removed from all packaging because of new FDA regulations.

[webbiexxsmile]

So if the sensxreen absorbs the

Rays does that mean you can get a tan? Also I thought that would make you burn still?

[stuffandstuffable]

@agaragarlove yes it blocks 99 percent of uvb/uva rays as long as you reaply every 80 min or sooner if you have been towl drying, sweating and or swimming.(:

[stuffandstuffable]

@Andrew81294 yes you can but by using sun protection you decreasing your chances 10 fold.

[stuffandstuffable]

@iDramaholic both protect your skin but sunscreen takes longer to start working

[iDramaholic]

So basically buy sunscreen instead of sunblock?

[xXroxaskittyXx]

not me

[MariahsCuteIdeas]

haha dog treats in her pants!

[MeiziVu]

There has been some concern amoungst rosacea sufferers about possible health problems with "micronized zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. An article was published in 1997 with an alarmist title Titanium Dioxide/Zinc Oxide nanoparticles from sunscreen are found to cause free radicals in skin cells, damaging DNA Oxford University and Montreal University, Dunford, Salinaro et al