What to Look for in a Sunscreen

Whether you want to start using sunscreen or looking for information to enable you choose a good sunscreen the next time you go shopping, I will give you some tips on what to look out for in a sunscreen.

1. Sunscreen Protection Factor (SPF)

This is very important as the level of sunscreen protection is related to the SPF. All sunscreens display the SPF as part of product labeling and so one should take his or her time to check it out. What exactly does an SPF indicate? It indicates the length of time that one can stay in sunshine protected following the application of a sunscreen. This varies from one person to the other. A person who normally stays for 15 minutes outside before beginning to burn would stay in the sun for (15 x 15) 225 minutes after applying a sunscreen with an SPF of 15. This means a protection of 3.75 hours. This knowledge is very important as if one intends to spend long periods of time outside, he or she may want to use a sunscreen with a high SPF to avoid burning. Experts say that after the limit has been reached, it is of no use reapplying the same sunscreen; the solution is to go indoors or to apply a sunscreen of higher SPF. As a rule of thumb, if you are light skinned or you are out on a very sunny day particularly between 10 am. and 4 p.m, use a sunscreen with an SPF of more than 30.

2. Expiry Date

Needless to say, the expiry date is very important. There is no need of purchasing a sunscreen lotion or cream that has already expired as that would mean that it has lost its effectiveness and thus will not provide adequate protection from burns and even skin cancer. Most sunscreen products display the expiry date but if absent, the most common shelf-life for sunscreens is 3 years and so you can use this information to get the expiry date if only the date of manufacture is provided. 

3. Water Resistance/Waterproof

 

For people who anticipate sweating when outdoors or engaging in water sports such as swimming, getting a waterproof sunscreen is very important.  Be on the lookout for information on the level of water resistance capability as some sunscreens are labeled as "very water resistant" which means that they are superior in terms of water resistance capability and consequently protection. Such sunscreens should be opted for by swimmers and people who anticipate a lot of sweating while outdoors.

4. Base

The base is also very important and should be taken into consideration when selecting a sunscreen. Sunscreens that contain alcohol as the base evaporate quickly from the skin and thus are preferred by many men as they are non-greasy. If your skin is prone to acne and breakouts, you would be better off with a water-based sunscreen instead of an oil-based sunscreen.

5. The Spectrum of Protection 

A good sunscreen product should provide broad spectrum protection and this means protection against UVA and UVB radiations. UVA and UVB are responsible for causing skin cancer and so exposure to them should be minimized and if possible prevented. Most sunscreen products nowadays are labelled as broad-spectrum.

6. Ingredients

The sunscreen ingredients are very important as they are a good indicator of a sunscreen's protection level. The American Academy of Dermatology advises consumers to look out for the presence of one of the following ingredients that are indicative of UV-blocking capability: octinoxate, oxybenzone, methyl anthranilate, octisalate, and oxybenzone. For sunblocks, the two ingredients that one should look for include: iron oxide, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide.

Have fun looking for these things in sunscreens before making a purchase. Stay protected!