Buying The Right Sunscreen

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Studies have shown that the sun’s rays can harm your skin.  Any part of your skin that is exposed to the sun is open to sun damage.  Aside from staying in the house during the summertime, there are more practical ways to shield your skin from the sun. 

One way is to wear protective clothing.  But with the heat of the sun, long shirts and pants are not always comfortable.  That’s why buying the right sunscreen is so important.  This article will give you information on how to buy the right level of sunscreen protection for your skin.

The first thing to look for is whether the product is a sunscreen or a sun block.  Sunscreens are measured by their sun protection factor (SPF).  This is the amount of time it takes for the sun to burn your skin.  Sunscreens have SPF that range 15 to less.  This means that it will take the sun fifteen times longer to affect your skin while wearing the sunscreen.

For people that are fair skinned, they will require an SPF of 30 or greater.  Sunscreen or sun block should be worn during the times that the sun is its strongest.  This usually falls between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.  People of all ages need to wear sunscreen or sun block.  Children should especially wear it, as most skin damage occurs before eighteen years of age.

Your sunscreen should shield you from UVA (ultraviolet A) and UVB (ultraviolet B) sun rays.  Overexposure to these UV rays can lead to certain forms of skin cancer such as melanoma.  It is important to understand what type of coverage you are getting.  Sunscreens with an SPF of 15 protect you from about 95% of the sun’s harmful UVB rays.

A higher SPF will give you more UVB protection.  If you spend long hours in the sun, make sure that your sunscreen contains zinc oxide or titanium oxide.  One brand to consider is Z-Cote.  If you are in the water a lot, buy a sunscreen that is water-resistant.  If you have skin allergies, look for a sunscreen that is PABA-free.  There are even sunscreens available for people who have problems with acne.  The type of sunscreen you buy is a personal choice.  There are sprays, gels, lotions, and wax sticks.

Whichever you choose, make sure to apply the sunscreen thirty minutes prior to being in the sun.  It should be reapplied every couple of hours.  Some of the tops brands are made by Avon, Biotique, Himalaya, and Nivea.