Not sure how much or how little sun might damage your skin? We're here to give you tips on the best formula and SPF for your unique needs. Most people need sunscreen on at least their faces each and every day of the year, and for this purpose, a light, non-greasy formula with an SPF of 15 will suffice. And in the summer, that level of protection is perfect for tan-aholics who still want to catch a few rays for that sunkissed look without going totally bronze or damaging their skin. Ratchet up your SPF to 30, and you'll prevent the signs of aging and protect your skin from melanoma. Look for ingredients such as vitamin C, vitamin E and other antioxidants to help out the antiaging properties of sun protection. If you wear makeup, then why not invest in foundation or powder that contains SPF? You'll add another layer of protection on top of your moisturizer, which likely has an SPF of 15 or more.
If you are at elevated risk of developing melanoma due to family history, having precancerous growths or moles, then you might want to supersize your SPF to 50, 60 or more. But experts stress that properly applying a lower SPF - say, SPF 30 if you're going to be at the beach or pool - goes a lot further than simply upping the number on the container. Many people get burned by improperly applying sunscreen. Use at least an ounce - that would be about the amount that would fill a shot glass - and apply it all over, paying special attention to your face, hands, feet and even ears. Reapply often, especially after swimming and sweating.