Wearing sunscreen is the most important thing you can do for your skin.
Sunscreen is essential to wear not only on sunny days when you are outdoors but also indoors. Though mirrors can protect us from UV rays, we can't be sure they reflect all the damaging features of the rays.
UVB rays can cause skin pigmentation and can increase the risk of skin cancer.
1. To Prevent Skin Aging: One of the main culprits of the aging of the skin may be the sun's radiation. So if you don't want your skin to lose elasticity and have wrinkles on your face, you should use sunscreen.
2. To Prevent Hyperpigmentation: Sun rays can cause pigmentations of the skin in your face, shoulders, arms, hands. Using sunscreens will keep your skin from further damage.
3. To Prevent Skin Cancer: Using sunscreens is an effective means to reduce the risk of skin cancer. It is advisable to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen and reapply it for round-the-clock protection.
Choose sunscreens with a broad spectrum on the label to be protected against UVB and UVA rays, and make sure to take sunscreen with 30+ SPF. If you plan to go to a swimming pool, a water-persistent sunscreen with 50 SPF (Sun Protection Factor) would be the best choice. Pay attention to the type of sunscreen.
There are two types of sunscreens: mineral or physical and chemical. Each of these sunscreens protects your face from UV rays acting differently:
Chemical sunscreens' active ingredients include avobenzone and octisalate, which help absorb UV rays, not letting them damage your skin. However, there is much controversy about the chemical sunscreens. Though Avobenzone, the active ingredient of chemical sunscreens, is FDA-approved, it can protect your skin from UV rays for up to half an hour. To ensure skin protection, sunscreen manufacturers use chemicals like Octisalate, Octocrylene, or Oxybenzone. Those with problematic skin should be cautious with chemical sunscreens as they may cause skin allergies and be the culprits of acne.
Physical or mineral sunscreens, often called sunblock, are FDA-approved and help to snag UV rays immediately. The active ingredients include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide that effectively protect the skin. As compared to mineral sunscreens that work after 10 to 15 minutes, physical sunscreens immediately get to safeguard your skin. Notwithstanding its effectiveness, mineral sunscreens can leave a white cast. If you are dark-skinned, you should consider the factor of the white tone.
Cloudy days can also expose UV rays. Hence, no matter the weather and the season, always wear sunscreen.
Formulated with Sunflower Extract and Rosemary Leaf Extract Supergoop! Sunscreen will immediately become an inseparable part of your daily routine due to its fast-absorbing and lightweight texture. The avobenzone-based formula allows the sunscreen to absorb into the skin. When applying sunscreen, the neck, hands, and eyes are often neglected, and thus these parts easily get spots.
Whether you are under the rain or bathed in sweat, you can be sure that you are entirely protected from damaging sun rays for 80 minutes.
Type: Chemical
SPF: 50
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (3%), Homosalate (10%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (7.5%)
Price: $33.80
EltaMD UV Sport with broad-spectrum SPF 50 is an excellent sunscreen that protects your entire body from damaging UVA and UVB rays. The non-drip formula of the sunscreen makes it easier and more comfortable to wear. It doesn't wash over in water for 80 minutes.
Type: Mineral
SPF: 50
Active Ingredients: Zinc Dioxide
Skin Types: All skin types
Price: $26
Coppertone SPORT is considered the most trusted sunscreen brand according to the BrandSpark American Trust Study.
Coppertone SPORT's broad spectrum SPF 50 water-resistant formula can protect you for 80 minutes. Then it would help if you reapplied the lotion for complete protection. Coppertone SPORT contains moisturizers and Vitamine E to help to keep your skin in good shape.
Type: Chemical
SPF: 50
Active Ingrediends: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 4.5%, Octocrylene 8%
Price: $7.97
Neutrogena Beach Defense with the broad spectrum SPF 70 is approved by dermatologists and is clinically proven to protect the skin from UVB and UVA rays. This lightweight lotion is ideal for active families who like to pass the time on the beaches. The lotion is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Type: Chemical
SPF: 70
Active Ingrediends: Avobenzone 3%, homosalate 10% , octisalate 5%, octocrylene 4.5%, oxybenzone 4%
Price: $8.97
CETAPHIL Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion with broad-spectrum SPF 50is perfect for sensitive acne-prone skin. The chemical-free formula of sunscreen will moisturize and nourish your skin while blocking UV rays with 80 minutes of water resistance-the sunscreen blends into the skin without that white cast that is inherent to mineral sunscreens.
Type: Mineral
SPF: 50
Active Ingredients: Zinc Dioxide 4.9%, Zinc Oxide 4.7%
Skin Type: All skin types, susceptible
Price: $19.99
Babo Botanicals sunscreen is crafted having in mind sensitive skin. The protective formula of the sunscreen creates a barrier for the UV rays' exposure to protect the skin. This mineral sunblock will protect your entire family irrespective of age and skin type. With natural ingredients that include sunflower seeds, jojoba, and aloe vera, Babo Botanicals will nourish your skin, keep it hydrated and protected. Apply the sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure. If you are in the pool, reapply the sunblock every 80 minutes.
Type: Mineral
SPF: 30
Active Ingredients: Zinc Dioxide 4.9%, Zinc Oxide 4.7%
Skin Type: All skin types, especially extra sensitive
Price: $16.34
Protect and moisturize your skin with Sun Bum sunscreen. Applying the sunscreen liberally to all the areas you will enjoy swimming for almost 80 minutes. For getting maximum protection from the sun, you should reapply it every 2 hours.
Type: Chemical
SPF: 30
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3.00%, Homosalate 10.00%, Octisalate 5.00%, Octocrylene 10.00%
Skin Type:All skin types
Price: $9.99
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 50+
Blue Lizard with a smart blue bottle will help you to detect harmful UV rays of the sun and apply the sunscreen. The mineral sunscreen reflects harmful UV rays protecting your skin. The fragrance and chemical-free sunscreen will become your best friend.
Type: Mineral
SPF: 50+
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 8% Zinc Oxide 10%
Skin Type: All skin types, especially sensitive
Price: $14.82
Whether you pick mineral or chemical sunscreen, make sure to use it on a daily basis no matter the weather. Harmful UV rays can penetrate into clouds even if you are indoors.
Sunscreen is essential to wear not only on sunny days when you are outdoors but also indoors. Though mirrors can protect us from UV rays, we can't be sure they reflect all the damaging features of the rays.
UVB rays can cause skin pigmentation and can increase the risk of skin cancer.
Why You Should Use Sunscreen
1. To Prevent Skin Aging: One of the main culprits of the aging of the skin may be the sun's radiation. So if you don't want your skin to lose elasticity and have wrinkles on your face, you should use sunscreen.
2. To Prevent Hyperpigmentation: Sun rays can cause pigmentations of the skin in your face, shoulders, arms, hands. Using sunscreens will keep your skin from further damage.
3. To Prevent Skin Cancer: Using sunscreens is an effective means to reduce the risk of skin cancer. It is advisable to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen and reapply it for round-the-clock protection.
How to Pick the Right Sunscreen?
Choose sunscreens with a broad spectrum on the label to be protected against UVB and UVA rays, and make sure to take sunscreen with 30+ SPF. If you plan to go to a swimming pool, a water-persistent sunscreen with 50 SPF (Sun Protection Factor) would be the best choice. Pay attention to the type of sunscreen.
Types of Sunscreens
There are two types of sunscreens: mineral or physical and chemical. Each of these sunscreens protects your face from UV rays acting differently:
Chemical sunscreens' active ingredients include avobenzone and octisalate, which help absorb UV rays, not letting them damage your skin. However, there is much controversy about the chemical sunscreens. Though Avobenzone, the active ingredient of chemical sunscreens, is FDA-approved, it can protect your skin from UV rays for up to half an hour. To ensure skin protection, sunscreen manufacturers use chemicals like Octisalate, Octocrylene, or Oxybenzone. Those with problematic skin should be cautious with chemical sunscreens as they may cause skin allergies and be the culprits of acne.
Physical or mineral sunscreens, often called sunblock, are FDA-approved and help to snag UV rays immediately. The active ingredients include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide that effectively protect the skin. As compared to mineral sunscreens that work after 10 to 15 minutes, physical sunscreens immediately get to safeguard your skin. Notwithstanding its effectiveness, mineral sunscreens can leave a white cast. If you are dark-skinned, you should consider the factor of the white tone.
Cloudy days can also expose UV rays. Hence, no matter the weather and the season, always wear sunscreen.
Best FDA-Approved Sunscreens
PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50 with Sunflower Extract
Formulated with Sunflower Extract and Rosemary Leaf Extract Supergoop! Sunscreen will immediately become an inseparable part of your daily routine due to its fast-absorbing and lightweight texture. The avobenzone-based formula allows the sunscreen to absorb into the skin. When applying sunscreen, the neck, hands, and eyes are often neglected, and thus these parts easily get spots.
Whether you are under the rain or bathed in sweat, you can be sure that you are entirely protected from damaging sun rays for 80 minutes.
Type: Chemical
SPF: 50
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (3%), Homosalate (10%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (7.5%)
Price: $33.80
EltaMD UV Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
EltaMD UV Sport with broad-spectrum SPF 50 is an excellent sunscreen that protects your entire body from damaging UVA and UVB rays. The non-drip formula of the sunscreen makes it easier and more comfortable to wear. It doesn't wash over in water for 80 minutes.
Type: Mineral
SPF: 50
Active Ingredients: Zinc Dioxide
Skin Types: All skin types
Price: $26
Coppertone SPORT Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Coppertone SPORT is considered the most trusted sunscreen brand according to the BrandSpark American Trust Study.
Coppertone SPORT's broad spectrum SPF 50 water-resistant formula can protect you for 80 minutes. Then it would help if you reapplied the lotion for complete protection. Coppertone SPORT contains moisturizers and Vitamine E to help to keep your skin in good shape.
Type: Chemical
SPF: 50
Active Ingrediends: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 4.5%, Octocrylene 8%
Price: $7.97
Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70
Neutrogena Beach Defense with the broad spectrum SPF 70 is approved by dermatologists and is clinically proven to protect the skin from UVB and UVA rays. This lightweight lotion is ideal for active families who like to pass the time on the beaches. The lotion is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Type: Chemical
SPF: 70
Active Ingrediends: Avobenzone 3%, homosalate 10% , octisalate 5%, octocrylene 4.5%, oxybenzone 4%
Price: $8.97
CETAPHIL Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
CETAPHIL Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion with broad-spectrum SPF 50is perfect for sensitive acne-prone skin. The chemical-free formula of sunscreen will moisturize and nourish your skin while blocking UV rays with 80 minutes of water resistance-the sunscreen blends into the skin without that white cast that is inherent to mineral sunscreens.
Type: Mineral
SPF: 50
Active Ingredients: Zinc Dioxide 4.9%, Zinc Oxide 4.7%
Skin Type: All skin types, susceptible
Price: $19.99
Babo Botanicals Sheer Zinc Continuous Spray Sunscreen SPF 30
Babo Botanicals sunscreen is crafted having in mind sensitive skin. The protective formula of the sunscreen creates a barrier for the UV rays' exposure to protect the skin. This mineral sunblock will protect your entire family irrespective of age and skin type. With natural ingredients that include sunflower seeds, jojoba, and aloe vera, Babo Botanicals will nourish your skin, keep it hydrated and protected. Apply the sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure. If you are in the pool, reapply the sunblock every 80 minutes.
Type: Mineral
SPF: 30
Active Ingredients: Zinc Dioxide 4.9%, Zinc Oxide 4.7%
Skin Type: All skin types, especially extra sensitive
Price: $16.34
Sun Bum Original SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion
Protect and moisturize your skin with Sun Bum sunscreen. Applying the sunscreen liberally to all the areas you will enjoy swimming for almost 80 minutes. For getting maximum protection from the sun, you should reapply it every 2 hours.
Type: Chemical
SPF: 30
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3.00%, Homosalate 10.00%, Octisalate 5.00%, Octocrylene 10.00%
Skin Type:All skin types
Price: $9.99
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 50+
Blue Lizard with a smart blue bottle will help you to detect harmful UV rays of the sun and apply the sunscreen. The mineral sunscreen reflects harmful UV rays protecting your skin. The fragrance and chemical-free sunscreen will become your best friend.
Type: Mineral
SPF: 50+
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 8% Zinc Oxide 10%
Skin Type: All skin types, especially sensitive
Price: $14.82
Whether you pick mineral or chemical sunscreen, make sure to use it on a daily basis no matter the weather. Harmful UV rays can penetrate into clouds even if you are indoors.