What to Look for in a Sunscreen

It is a good idea to become familiar with the different types of sunscreens, their contents, and their strengths. While it is beneficial to apply some sunscreen rather than none, there might be some times that you need a stronger protection depending on your intended activity. There are many different types of sunscreens from which you are able to choose and selecting the correct one is often confusing to many. Becoming familiar with your options will help you make a better choice which in turn, enables you to enjoy the outdoors more safely.  

 

Sunscreens are available in different forms such as lotions, ointments, gels, sprays, sticks, and creams. This makes it much easier for consumers to find a sunscreen that works for them. Consumers will, most likely, prefer one form of sunscreen over another, depending on their lifestyle, skin type, and intended exposed area. Manufactures have composed a multitude of sunscreens that will fit each individual need. Some ingredients to look for as far as broad spectrum sunscreens are concerned are; cinnamates, sulisobenzone, benzophenones, salicylates, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide. These are certainly not all, but some of the important ingredients to look for in a sunscreen. Broad spectrum simply indicates that a sunscreen will filter out some UVA rays as well as UVB rays from the sun.   Alcohol based products are typically less sticky and might be more ideal for those participating in water based activities. They also dry faster than a lotion or cream which is a valuable feature for those on the go. Sunscreens in the form of a lotion or a cream are often times good for sensitive skin and they can offer more moisture than other types.           

Many often notice the letters SPF on bottles of sunscreen, but aren’t exactly sure what the letters mean. Sunscreens are typically classified or rated by the strength of their SPF. SPF is an acronym that stands for Sun Protection Factor. SPF is a rating system that is derived in a laboratory by determining the sunscreen’s ability to filter out the harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. The sun protection factor or SPF rating is calculated by comparing the amount of time it takes for the sun’s ultraviolet rays to produce redness on skin when sunscreen protection has been applied as compared to the time it takes skin to burn when it is not protected. Each available sunscreen is given a rating to let the consumer know how much sun protection it can provide. This protection will largely depend on the individual’s skin type, and the amount of time needed to cause a sun burn can vary from person to person. The SPF grades of sunscreen typically range from 2 up to 50 and greater. The larger the SPF rating of a product, the more ability it has to repel the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Dermatologists recommend that individuals use some type of sun protection year round with an SPF of, at least, 15 or better.