Sunscreen 101

Before you graduate from my blog, I will have to dispel some myths about sunscreens. If you follow the rules below, you will successfully be able to protect your skin this summer.

1) Make sure you protect yourself from both UVA and UVB.

An SPF rating refers only to protection against UVB. Regardless of your sunscreen’s SPF level, make sure to use a product that blocks UVA as well. Turn the bottle over and check out the ingredient list. Choose something that contains avobenzone, ecamsule, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide. UVA rays may be more harmful to the skin than UVB and causes premature skin aging and skin cancers.


2) The higher the SPF the better. Not really.

A sunscreen with an SPF of 30 will block 97% UVB light. A higher SPF value does not proportionally block more UVB light. The big jump really comes between lower SPF levels. A sunscreen with an SPF 45, 85, or even 100+ only block up to approximately 3% more UVB than the SPF 30 sunscreen.

3) How much is enough?

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is not applying enough sunscreen. The amount of protection they offer is based on how much you put on.

The average sized person need 1 ounce, a full shot glass amount, for the entire body. For your face, use a dollop the side of a nickel. A quarter size is enough for your chest and another for your back. Use another nickel for each arm, and two quarters for each leg.

If you apply less, you won’t get the sun protection you think you will be getting. Plus, make sure to reapply every two hours when you are sweating in the sun and after you get out the pool or ocean. Even waterproof sunscreens can come off in the water!