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Everything You Actually Need To Know About Wearing Sunscreen - HuffPost

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Here’s a myth we’d like to immediately dispel: Sunscreen is only necessary in the summer, while at the beach or playing sports outdoors. In fact, as experts have been arguing for years, protecting your skin from the sun should be part of your year-round routine given the negative consequences of prolonged exposure to sunlight.

As Dr. Nahid Vidal, a micrographic surgeon and dermatologic oncologist at the Mayo Clinic, explained to HuffPost, the sun causes skin damage in several ways, all directly related to UVA and UVB rays. “UVA is the longest wavelength and can reach deeper into the layer of skin, causing changes to our collagen in the dermis related to aging and wrinkling,” she explained. “UVB rays tend to be shorter and affect the top layer of our skin (epidermis).”

Most importantly, both types of rays penetrate a person’s DNA, potentially leading to mutations and therefore increasing the risk of skin cancer while simultaneously causing rashes and flare-ups.

“The melanin acts as a little brown umbrella to shade important genes that can be mutated.”

- Dr. Nahid Vidal

The actual heat from the sun, on the other hand, depletes the skin of natural oils, potentially leading to premature wrinkles. “Ultimately, while the sun can give us a ‘healthy’ look with a tan, what is actually happening is the body is attempting to protect the DNA in cells by producing a pigment called melanin in the skin,” Vidal said. “The melanin acts as a little brown umbrella to shade important genes that can be mutated.”

Clearly, as comforting as the sun might feel on our skin, we should be careful about soaking in too much of it ― which is why we thought it wise to offer you this “everything there is to know about sunscreen” guide.

Let’s start from the basics. How do we protect ourselves from the sun?

Physical vs. chemical sunblock

There are two types of sunscreen: physical (also known as mineral) and chemical. When applying the physical sunscreen, the sun’s rays will hit the skin but then bounce right off. Chemical blockers, on the other hand, absorb the UV ray, convert it to heat and release it from the body so as to not damage one’s DNA. The most visually apparent difference between the two kinds of blockers is how they appear after application. “Chemical sunscreens may come in formulations that rub in well without leaving behind a thick white residue” that physical blockers are usually known for, Vidal explained.

Physical (mineral) sunblocks leave a whiter cast on the skin than chemical sunblocks.
Physical (mineral) sunblocks leave a whiter cast on the skin than chemical sunblocks.

Both forms of sunscreen follow the same sun protection factor (SPF) scale (more on that later) and are similarly regulated in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration.

Who regulates sunscreen labels?

It’s important to note that the FDA releases guidelines that sunscreen companies are to abide by, but doesn’t necessarily check on each product you might find at the drugstore.

“It’s up to the individual sunscreen companies to do their own tests,” explained board certified dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe. “The FDA isn’t pulling sunscreens off the shelf and testing them before they come to market to make sure that the SPF label is accurate.”

That job falls within the company’s own purview which, obviously, can become tricky. That’s why objective third parties such as Consumer Reports sometimes lead their own trials and reports, independently validating the various claims made by sunscreen producers.

“Brands may sometimes say their products boast SPF 30 on the label but then Consumer Reports will do its independent testing and find that it’s actually SPF 8,” Bowe said, specifically calling out a 2016 study by the company that found nearly “three-quarters of ‘natural’ sunscreens fell short of the SPF on their labels.”

Although not evaluating every single product on the market, the FDA does regulate the lingo that can be used across the board. The term “broad-spectrum,” for example, indicates protection from both UVA and UVB radiation and it is regulated by the FDA, just as the classification “water-resistant” is. The latter conveys a 40-minute effectiveness while “very” water-resistant promises a resistance of up to 80 minutes.

Beware of ‘natural’ sunscreen

Looking for a sunscreen that claims it is “natural”? You might want to think again. The term doesn’t have a definition, according to the FDA, and therefore cannot be trusted.

“Natural doesn’t mean anything when it comes to sunscreen in the United States,” Bowe said.

‘Waterproof’ sunscreen is a lie, too

There’s more: “Sunscreens are banned from claiming true ‘waterproof’ or ‘sweat proof’ [capabilities] as the FDA has determined these are misleading claims,” Vidal said.

Bowe explains that, when comparing U.S. sunscreen regulations to ones in other countries, we’re mostly looking at different grading systems. “In the U.S., there’s a threshold and it’s very black and white,” she said. “You can sort of barely pass the test and still get to say you’re offering broad-spectrum protection on the label, but it doesn’t mean it’s robust.”

How safe are the ingredients in sunscreen?

Physical blockers mainly boast titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, active ingredients that the FDA considers GRASE (generally recognized as safe and effective) “because there really is not a significant concern for absorption into the bloodstream,” Bowe said. The discussion about absorption leads directly to chemical blockers.

Boasting active ingredients the likes of oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate, the chemical sunscreens have recently been the subject of studies claiming potential harm.

“There have been some studies showing that many of the chemical sunscreen ingredients are indeed absorbed through the skin and enter the bloodstream,” Bowe said. That being said, the expert argues it is yet unclear how some of those ingredients may affect our health. “People are just more suspicious of chemical sunscreens in general, even though some of the absorbed ingredients may not have any kind of detrimental effect on the body,” she said.

How to properly apply sunscreen

“The biggest mistake that people make is that they don’t apply enough sunscreen and don’t re-apply it enough,” said Dr. Mary Stevenson, assistant professor at New York University and a dermatologic surgeon. Virtually all experts said the same.

Industry standards in the U.S. call for the application of half a teaspoon of the product on the face, one full teaspoon if applying to the face and neck and an ounce (basically a shot glass) to be spread across the body. 
Industry standards in the U.S. call for the application of half a teaspoon of the product on the face, one full teaspoon if applying to the face and neck and an ounce (basically a shot glass) to be spread across the body. 

And so, here are a few rules to keep in mind: When spending time outdoors, go for an SPF 30 or above. You’re going to want to look for something water-resistant if you’re planning on swimming or sweating, for example.

“But, if you’re indoors, the SPF number is much less important than looking for a broad-spectrum solution because UVB can’t penetrate through window glass but UVA rays can,” Bowe said. “A broad-spectrum indicates protection from UVA rays.”

In terms of time of day, Vidal suggests incorporating SPF into your morning ritual. “If you are using chemical sunscreen, apply it before a moisturizer,” she said. “If using a physical one, you can apply it after. Indoors, once in the morning may be enough, but if you’re in direct sunlight, on a car ride for example, it would be best to put it on 30 minutes prior to exposure and reapplying every two hours. If you are sweating or swimming, you may need to re-apply more often.”

Specifically, industry standards in the U.S. call for the application of half a teaspoon of the product on the face, one full teaspoon if applying to the face and neck and an ounce (basically a shot glass) to be spread across the body.

When it comes to sprays versus creams, most experts agree that the latter form of protection is the way to go. “Spray sunscreens lead to uneven application,” Bowe said. “You’re much less likely to have a uniform coat of sunscreen as most people don’t use them correctly. If you spray the sunscreen, then you have to actually rub it in.”

The sprays, which happen to be alarmingly flammable as well, also release aerosolized particles that are dangerous to breathe in.

As for whether one’s skin tone affects the types and ways the sunscreen is to be applied, the short answer is no. “Skin cancer rates are lower among people of color,” explained Bowe, “but when people of color ― especially African Americans ― are diagnosed with melanoma, it tends to be much more aggressive and lethal.” As a result, the dermatologist advises all of her patients to use high-grade sunscreen.

Is it true that anything above SPF 30 doesn’t actually work?

How many times have you heard somebody claim sunscreens that boast an SPF above 30 don’t really work better than 30? Let’s dig into that (mostly) false claim.

A bit of background first: According to SkinCancer.org, when analyzing an SPF number, you should think of it as an indication of how long it would take for the sun to burn your skin when using the product as compared to not using any sunscreen at all. When applying SPF 15, for example, it would take 15 times longer for your skin to redden when compared to not wearing sunscreen at all.

Even more specifically, SPF 15 will block 93% of UVB rays from affecting your skin. That number jumps to 97% when looking at an SPF of 30. SPF 50 blocks 98% of rays and SPF 100 blocks 99% of them. When solely looking at these percentages, most folks might think the difference in numbers to be so relatively low to almost be irrelevant.

“But these numbers are based on laboratory studies where the sunscreen is being applied in a very specific way, under very controlled conditions,” Bowe explained. “In a real-life scenario, when applying an SPF 50 that blocks 98% of rays in a lab, you’re actually putting on almost half what they do in the study so you’re probably getting closer to an SPF of 30.” In short, the percentages we think we’re working with don’t actually factor in the human error involved in correct application methods. Investing in a higher SPF will therefore provide a bit more of a buffer.

But there’s yet another issue at hand, albeit a more psychological one involving a false sense of security. “If you put SPF 100 on, while you are getting better protection, it’s not for longer,” Stevenson said, explaining that most people believe that higher protection correlates to longer protection ― which is untrue. “You still need to apply just as much.”

“When people see SPF 100, they think it’s like a shield and they don’t need to wear a hat, for example,” Bowe said, urging everyone to move away from that frame of thinking and take all necessary measures to protect all parts of one’s skin from the sun.

Which is to say: Put as much sunscreen, as often as possible, all over your face and body, no matter what it is that you’re doing every single day of the year.

Ready to buy a new sunscreen? These are our editors’ favorites:

1
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen, SPF 55
“I went years without wearing sunscreen religiously when I was younger and have a face full of freckles to show for it. These days, I’ve learned my lesson: If I’m going to remain in LA, I can’t forgo SPF. I have friends that swear by Shiseido and stock up on it whenever Sephora has its Beauty Insider sale, but I don’t use anything too fancy. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch water resistant and non-greasy sunscreen lotion with broad spectrum SPF 55 is my go-to. The formula feels light, my makeup blends nicely over it, and it doesn’t feel greasy like other sunscreens I’ve used before.” ― Brittany WongGet the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch sunscreen lotion with SPF 55 for $7.97.
2
Image Skincare Prevention+ Daily Matte Moisturizer SPF 32+
“This is my go-to for everyday sunscreen because it’s perfect for wearing under makeup, whether you wear foundation or just a light BB cream. It’s oil-free and goes on matte, providing the perfect canvas for makeup to glide on over, and it doesn’t smell like a typical sunscreen — it’s light and a little fruity.” ― Kristen AikenGet the Image Skincare Prevention+ daily matte moisturizer SPF 32+ for $44.
3
EltaMD UV Shield Broad-Spectrum SPF 45
It’s OIL FREE and it’s light, offers full protection, works great on the body too, absorbs well, leaves no residue, blends well with other products and doesn’t stain at ALL. It’s about $30 but worth every cent. It’s not to be confused with the SPF 46, which is great too and made for sensitive and acne-prone skin, [or those with] rosacea or hyper-pigmentation. I’ve used that one too, but once they made an oil-free version, I never looked back.” ― Izzy BestGet the EltaMD UV Shield broad-spectrum SPF 45 sunscreen for $50
4
EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46
“I started wearing EltaMD UV Clear probably five years ago and it’s helped my sensitive skin so much. It’s a moisturizing sunscreen (SPF 46) that doesn’t feel like a sunscreen and it’s perfect for someone who has acne-rosacea like me. It’s worth the money in my opinion! I’ll never wear anything else.” ― Carly LedbetterGet the EltaMD UV Clear broad-spectrum SPF 46 sunscreen for $37.
5
Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer with Broad Spectrum SPF 15
“When I need something quick to throw on because I’m running an errand and will have short exposure to the sun, I use Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15. It absorbs nice and quickly and doesn’t feel like it just sits on your skin.” ― Brittany WongGet the Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 for $26.09.
6
Kiehl’s Super Fluid Daily UV Defense SPF 50+
“I love this Kiehl’s facial sunscreen because it’s ― as the name suggests ― super fluid and thin to apply. It’s a white color but takes no time to blend in and provides SPF 50 coverage not only from the sun but from pollution. I tend to burn easily and get lazy about reapplying sunscreen (I know, I know) but this makes it super easy to remember and reapply at the beach.” ― Jamie FeldmanGet Kiehl’s Super Fluid Daily UV Defense sunscreen for $40.
7
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40
“I love the way the buttery gel stretches across the skin and leaves me with a soft, velvet finish almost like a primer. It’s a thick enough barrier to make me feel like I’m wearing something, without actually being heavy on the skin. It’s also amazing under makeup, especially in the summer so I don’t have to worry about it melting off.” ― Danielle GonzalezGet the Supergoop! Unseen sunscreen for $34.
8
Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense Sunscreen
“I usually find mineral sunscreens to be way too thick for me, but when I tried this Drunk Elephant version, I was pleasantly surprised. The formula was admittedly thick, but it blended in well, didn’t make me look like I was covered in chalk and didn’t feel too heavy. The only thing I don’t love about it is the smell, but it dissipates very quickly.” ― Julia BrucculieriGet the Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense broad spectrum sunscreen for $34.
9
CosRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50
“It’s ultra light, but spreads beautifully. And it smells lovely.” ― Molly ReddenGet the CosRX Aloe soothing sun cream for $25.
10
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 100+
“I like that it doesn’t feel greasy on my face. It also doesn’t hate my moisturizer, so I don’t have to worry about the products just sitting on top of each other. A little really does go a long way.” ― Rowaida AbdelazizGet the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch sunscreen with SPF 100 for $12.99.
11
La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Ultra Light Tinted Sunscreen
“I’m too lazy to put on makeup, so this evens things out a little and is also a mineral sunscreen, so I can put it around my eyes, because the chemical sunscreen burns and burns.” ― Lisa YeungGet the La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 mineral ultra light tinted sunscreen fluid for $33.50.
12
Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer With SPF 30
“If you’re dark-skinned it’s really hard to find a sunscreen lotion that doesn’t make you look ashy, purple or stripy. This one [doesn’t do those things]. It feels like my favorite moisturizer and I know I’m getting protected. The bottle lasts a long time and you can wear it under makeup.” ― TK MatundaGet the Aveeno Positively Radiant daily moisturizer with SPF 30 for $12.54.

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