Most of us picture a warm beach when we think about sunscreen. The truth is, no matter where the location or what the temperature, any outdoor activity that prolongs exposure to the sun should come with a good application of sunscreen.
There are many different types of sunscreen, categorized by protection levels such as SPF, UVA/UVB, water resistance and waterproofing. Add to these specialized sunscreens; such as ones with tanning compounds, various application methods, and extras like moisturizers; and choosing the right product can seem overwhelming.
With so many choices, finding the right type of sunscreen for your family may be more difficult than getting everyone in the car for that beach trip! We've broken down the common sunscreen language into easily understood categories that you can use next time you're shopping for sun supplies.
Sun Protection Factor - SPF
Bigger is generally better when it comes to the SPF number on the bottle. The SPF ranking is a rating for how strong the sunscreen is, but this number isn't very reliable. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends SPF 15+ for good protection and SPF 30 for maximum. The SPF rating can vary from 2 to as high as 100+, but the higher you go the less difference there is between strengths.
You generally want a SPF rating between 15-50 to get maximum protection, any higher and the increase in protection isn't much (there's about a 1-2% difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50).
UVA and UVB Protection
The UVA and UVB ratings refer to the two types of ultraviolet radiation that comes from sunlight. A rays are responsible for the damage done over time by exposure to the sun, and are the major cause of skin cancer. B rays are what cause sunburns now and can result in skin cancer later.
Both types of ultraviolet rays can damage the skin either immediately or over time, and both can lead to skin cancer with prolonged exposure over the years. Your sunscreen should protect against both types of UV rays. Sunscreens that are reinforced against both UVA and UVB exposure will either say "UVA/UVB protection" or "broad spectrum" protection.
Water-Resistant Versus Waterproof
While the titles may seem similar, there is a difference between sunscreen labeled as water-resistant and waterproof. Waterproof is the stronger of the two and generally provides protection in water for up to 80 minutes. Water-resistant is only effective for about 40 minutes in the water.
When using sunscreen in the water, apply early to allow the protection to soak in. Reapply any time you towel off for a break, or after the 80/40 minutes have elapsed. There's no true waterproof sunscreen that guarantees a whole day of water-soaked protection without reapplication, so make sure to keep your bottle handy!
Choosing the Right Sunscreen Brand
When staring at the wall of sun protection methods you should keep your family's needs in mind. General sunscreens provide normal protection and specialty ones cater to age and protection location. Some come with tanning agents or moisturizers to help with your skin health.
If you're looking for a one-stop convenient sunscreen for the whole family, spray sunscreens are a great choice. They come in various SPF strengths and are easy to use. Spray evenly on all exposed areas of skin and normally there's no rubbing necessary, just allow to air dry. Bullfrog's Marathon Mist is a great waterproof spray that doesn't require pumping and provides even coverage.
Many sunscreens now come in stick form much like deodorant. These can be very convenient, especially for travel, such as the Neutrogena Oil-Free Sunblock Sticks which are sized for TSA guidelines. This should be an individual option, as sharing stick sunscreen could be unsanitary.
Traditional lotion sunscreens come in many forms, including mosquito-repellant, tanning, and moisturizing. A slightly less common but highly rated brand, Blue Lizard, has been recommended as a top brand by the Environmental Working Group. Their lotion sunscreens come in regular, sport, baby, face and sensitive skin formulas.
For sunscreens to boost your tan while still protecting you from the sun, Banana Boat has a great line of sunscreens with added tanning compounds. Their Protective Tanning Dry Oil provides SPF 25 protection with coconut and grape seed oils to help moisturize while tanning. Remember that most tanning oils are NOT sunscreens and provide very little SPF protection. If using a tanning oil, make sure it's SPF 15 or higher.
Specialty Sunscreens
There are sunscreens developed for specific parts of the body. Many lip balms come with extra SPF protection, such as ChapStick's Ultra 30 sun-care lip balm. This protects your lips from sun damage and drying while being safe to ingest (and more appealing to taste if you accidentally lick it off).
The scalp is an often neglected part of the body which is easily sunburned and hard to relieve once the damage is done. Rubbing cream into your hair isn't very appealing, so Banana Boat developed a great Sport Performance Sunscreen Body & Scalp Spray that mists onto your scalp. Of course, a hat is recommended to protect both your scalp and your face.
Young children may squirm at the application of sunscreen, so many kids' sunscreens come in handy spray formulas that are quick to apply and require no rubbing. Many are tear-free and no-drip so when your little ones get wet there is no stinging or red eyes. Baby sunblock is much the same, with milder formulas designed for younger sensitive skin.
Family Sunscreen Tips
Even non-beach activities such as biking, hiking, or cold-weather challenges under the sun call for proper sunscreen usage. Sweat can diminish the effectiveness of sunscreen, so reapplying waterproof sunscreen after 80 minutes is a good rule to follow.
Make sure you've got enough sunblock to cover the whole family. If you're sharing a bottle, you may need to reapply several times during the day, so remember to bring enough along. If you're not in the water, that sunscreen protection does wear off after a while and you should reapply every 2 hours to keep constantly protected.