Nevertheless, “higher-SPF merchandise don’t essentially defend pores and skin higher than lower-SPF ones,” she says. In principle, a sunscreen with SPF 50 ought to let you keep within the solar 50 occasions longer with out burning than you possibly can with out sunscreen, however there are different elements at play. Finally, “that statistic varies relying on the particular person’s pores and skin sort and bodily exercise, the solar’s depth, and the quantity of sunscreen utilized,” she says.

How a lot sunscreen ought to I exploit?

Ideally, you need to use one ounce of sunscreen in your entire physique. “That’s equal to the dimensions of a golf ball or shot glass, which is rather more than most individuals apply,” says Dr. Alster, who provides that she’s usually stunned when sufferers inform her that they’ve leftover sunscreen following a seaside trip.

How usually must you reapply sunscreen?

The usual recommendation is to reapply each two hours when you’re outside, or instantly after swimming or exercising, in accordance with Dr. Alster. Whereas some sunscreens could invoice themselves as water resistant, they’re not waterproof—so reapplication is critical.

What to search for in a sunscreen

Texture

First, contemplate the feel, which is a matter of each private choice and your pores and skin sort. As an illustration, “when you’ve got acne-prone pores and skin, chances are you’ll need to keep away from creamy or oily textures and as an alternative hunt down gels and powders, whereas dry pores and skin will possible profit from these richer textures,” says Dr. Turner. In the meantime, sprays are perfect for these with velocity in thoughts—as an example, dad and mom making use of to youngsters–however for normal use, keep on with a lotion, since it may be troublesome to get an excellent software with a sprig, he says.

Additionally, take into consideration what you intend to do outside. “The usage of a sunscreen keep on with zinc oxide on the face will help you keep away from getting stinging within the eyes whereas sweating or swimming, which generally deters sunscreen utilization,” says Dr. Turner. And eventually, if you happen to regularly apply sunscreen over make-up, he recommends a mineral-based SPF powder like Colorescience Sunforgettable. These are “really easy to toss in a bag and fairly handy to reapply,” he says.

Chemical versus mineral filters

The suitable filter depends upon just a few elements. For one, chemical sunscreens simply are usually extra gratifying to make use of. They’re “sometimes extra cosmetically elegant in that they don’t go away a white solid on the pores and skin, and go on with lighter really feel and faster absorption,” says Dr. Turner. The draw back, nonetheless, is that they’ll contribute to redness and irritation amongst these with delicate pores and skin and inflammatory pores and skin circumstances like rosacea and eczema. Plus, sure sunscreen filters, akin to octinoxate and oxybenzone, could hurt residing coral reefs and have been categorized as “hormone disruptors,” which means they could mimic or block pure hormone processes once they’re absorbed, says Dr. Turner. Nevertheless, “the info on the impact in people stays restricted in understanding this potential affect on hormones,” he says.