When choosing a sunscreen, Dr. Silva advises looking for broad-spectrum protection, a minimum SPF of 30, mineral-based ingredients, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic formulations, water resistance, and a suitable texture.
Mineral sunscreens (i.e., physical sunscreens) are safer than chemical sunscreens for your health and the planet. They contain the minerals titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide, which physically sit on the skin's surface (rather than penetrating the skin) and reflect or refract UV radiation from the skin.
To know if sunscreen is effective, look for the SPF number on the bottle. SPF stands for sun protection factor. The higher the SPF number, the more protection the sunscreen provides.
Best Overall: EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46
Despite the high 46 SPF, the lightweight formula is powered by a combination of transparent zinc oxide and octinoxate that won't leave a white cast, even on darker skin tones.
Choose the Right Sunscreen
Choosing an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30+ or 50+ is important. Make sure you read the label and check the ingredients and use-by date. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen to protect against UVA/UVB rays. Opt for a water resistant sunscreen and reapply after swimming.
We recommend using any sunscreen that is labelled broad spectrum, water-resistant and SPF30 or above. Interestingly, SPF50 offers only marginally better protection from UV radiation than SPF30 filtering out 98 per cent of UV radiation compared to 96.7 per cent blocked by SPF30.
Cancer Council recommends using any sunscreen that is labelled broad-spectrum, water-resistant and SPF30 or above. Remember to also check the expiry date, as products that are past their use-by date will not give proper protection.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that everyone use sunscreen that offers the following: Broad-spectrum protection (protects against UVA and UVB rays) SPF 30 or higher. Water resistance.
Best Overall: EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46
Its star ingredient, niacinamide, is an essential part of this formula for its complexion-brightening, moisture-replenishing properties. To tackle dryness-related wrinkles, this formula also features hydrating hyaluronic acid to plump skin and "fill in" fine lines.
When choosing a sunscreen, Dr. Silva advises looking for broad-spectrum protection, a minimum SPF of 30, mineral-based ingredients, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic formulations, water resistance, and a suitable texture.
Why You Shouldn't Wear Sunscreen Every Day. If you were to use sunscreen every day, your body would continuously absorb any chemicals it contains, potentially much faster than your body can filter and excrete them.
Sunscreen Ingredients to Avoid: Does Your Sunscreen Contain Toxic Chemicals? Check the label of your sunscreen or sunblock for both the active and inactive ingredients. It's best if your sunscreen contains only the active ingredient zinc oxide (it may also contain titanium dioxide).
Use broad spectrum sunscreens with SPF values of 15 or higher regularly and as directed. Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours, and more often if you're sweating or swimming.
The popular sunscreen brands made by Neutrogena, Coppertone, and Banana Boat are all not recommended, according to dermatologists.
The Skin Cancer Foundation's Position
“While there is an abundance of indirect evidence suggesting that sunscreen has anti-aging benefits, this is the first clinical human trial to show it. This study provides evidence that daily sunscreen use significantly slows skin aging, even in middle-aged men and women.
Features and Benefits
WHY WE MADE IT: This hypoallergenic sunscreen helps calm and protect skin prone to discoloration and breakouts. Contains 5% Niacinamide to help visibly improve skin tone and discoloration. Formulated to calm and protect acne-prone skin. Helps keep your skin smooth and even.
For ideal skin health, use mineral sunscreen to keep the aging UVA beams away from your skin. Broad spectrum: Broad spectrum sunscreen helps to block both UVB rays that are traditionally the cause of skin cancer, as well as UVA rays that cause early aging.
Go for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. Ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide better protection against UV exposure. Look for lightweight, non-greasy solutions that soak quickly and leave no white cast.
What type of sunscreen is best? It doesn't really matter which brand of sunscreen you use as long as it contains the right ingredients. Sunscreen has two main types of ingredients: physical blockers (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) and chemical blockers (avobenzone, oxybenzone and others).
However, those seeking the safest products in the US market should look for physical, also known as “mineral,” sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. That's because “there are fewer concerns about absorption and safety”, says King.
An SPF 30 allows about 3 percent of UVB rays to hit your skin. An SPF of 50 allows about 2 percent of those rays through. That may seem like a small difference until you realize that the SPF 30 is allowing 50 percent more UV radiation onto your skin.