When it comes to choosing a sunscreen, most of us don’t care much about what kind of sunscreen we buy, so long as it appears to have enough SPF. All sunscreens are definitely not identical, however, and there is a range of items to look for when selecting the right sunscreen. While using some sunscreen is better than using none, certain kinds function better to protect your skin against UV rays, and investing in a good kind of cream will help prevent sun damage and skin cancer.
Luckily you don’t have to ask yourself to decipher these sunscreen stickers. You will find these six tips to select the right form of sunscreen to get the best protection.
Look Out For Broad Spectrum
SPF is significant, but you do want to make sure that your sunscreen says “Broad Spectrum,” so that both UVA and UVB rays are covered. SPF defines only defense against UVB rays, the sunburn rays that often damage DNA in your skin. UVA rays reach deeper into the skin causing wrinkles and dark spots. Look for a product with at least 30 SPF that is also labeled with UVA and UVB protection or broad-spectrum, instead of looking for a product with the highest SPF.
Choose Zinc Oxide
The vast majority of sunscreens sold are based on chemicals, meaning that sun protection is provided by chemicals that absorb your skin versus mineral sun protection that sits on top of your skin and is not absorbed. The best, widest defense against sunlight comes from zinc oxide. Unlike the chemical ingredients of the sunscreen such as avobenzone and oxybenzone, this is not absorbed into your body.
Use Titanium For Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, use zinc or titanium-oxide-based suncote sunscreen for the face as well as search for zinc oxide for coverage. In comparison with all other sunscreen active ingredients known as chemical blockers, Zinc and titanium are known as physical blockers.
Make Use Of SPF 30 Or Above
An SPF 30 blocks 97 percent of the harmful rays of the sun. Many people don’t apply as they should, but using a sunscreen with a higher SPF serves as a safety net to offer the highest degree of protection.
Go For Water-Resistant Creams
Also good for hot days or while playing sports are the ‘water-resistant’ types of sunscreen. Keep in mind that these types of sunscreens are stickier and need to be re-applied every two hours.
Opt Creams Over Sprays
It’s tempting to want to use a spray sunscreen because it saves you time, but you may not get enough protection if you do so. Determining whether spray sunscreens adequately cover all of the skin that is exposed to the sun is difficult, especially when it is windy. This means that you might lose out on some spots