For day-to-day use, pick a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. If you spend time outdoors, choose a product with SPF 60 or greater. In reality, most people do not use as much sunscreen as they should, and this higher SPF helps compensate for the reduced application.
Factors such as your skin type, the intensity of the sun in your environment, and the duration of your sun exposure should all be taken into account. SPF 30 is generally recommended for daily use and is suitable for most individuals in typical sun exposure scenarios.
SPF Range: Generally, Dermatologists recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. The term "broad-spectrum" implies that the sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks approximately 97% of UVB rays, while higher SPFs offer slightly more protection.
However, the American Academy of Dermatology and the Skin Cancer Foundation both recommend using a water-resistant, broad-spectrum product with an SPF of at least 30 for daily sun protection.
Your sunscreen should, at least, have SPF 30 for better protection from UV rays and for everyday use.
The extra protection offered by SPF 70 compared to SPF 50 is minimal, blocking only about 0.6% more UVB rays. For daily use, a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 is generally sufficient, as recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Wearing sunscreen every day, especially if you're outside a lot, can help prevent certain conditions such as premature skin aging, sunburns, and even skin cancer.
The Best Sunscreen
Blue Lizard has reformulated its Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+, our top pick. It now contains an aloe extract and the SPF booster butyloctyl salicylate, among other inactive ingredients. The active ingredients, zinc oxide (10%) and titanium dioxide (8%), remain the same.
No matter if it's sun protection for your body or face, the American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher. Many dermatologists tell us this is just a baseline, suggesting SPF 50 is really the gold standard.
“Studies have shown that once you get above an SPF of 40 to 45 you are not really getting much added protection from the blistering rays of the sun,” she says. So while SPF 70 or SPF 100 isn't a scam, it's more than you need.
The FDA recommends choosing sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, and for those with fair skin, choosing one with at least SPF 30 for UV protection. Sunscreen rated above SPF 50 does not provide significantly more UV protection. In fact, products rated higher than SPF 50 may not adequately protect against UVA rays.
Should you use SPF 100? Experts unequivocally say no. "The benefit is that it affords us about 1 percent more coverage from the UVB burning rays than an SPF of 50," says Ciraldo. "But the risk is not worth it."
For day-to-day use, pick a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. If you spend time outdoors, choose a product with SPF 60 or greater. In reality, most people do not use as much sunscreen as they should, and this higher SPF helps compensate for the reduced application.
Everyone, regardless of age, gender or race, should use sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. But what's in your sunscreen may be just as important as the SPF number. While SPF 85 sounds like it offers more protection, higher SPF numbers can be misleading.
Yes, you read that right! Even formulas as strong as SPF 50 don't block all ultraviolet rays, which are the ones that color your skin a nice, even bronze. That means you can get a bronze tan while ensuring you don't burn and try to avoid skin cancer at the same time.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, high-number SPFs do not necessarily last longer than lower-number SPFs, so this doesn't mean you can spend more time in the sun before reapplying. “There is no sunscreen out there that blocks 100 percent of the sun's rays,” Dr.
Most dermatologists agree that it's best to us a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Sunscreens with an SPF of 50 or higher offer minimal extra protection and may be more costly.
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.
The highest SPF is 100 and blocks out 99% of UVB rays. But experts don't necessarily think SPF 100 sunscreen is the best choice. This is only slightly better than SPF 30 and 50 (which is blocks 98% of UVB rays).
Blue Lizard is regarded as one of the best skincare brands when it comes to sun care — at one point, its products were only really available at dermatologists' offices.
First of all, you should choose a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. If you want the highest protection, choose SPF 50+. If you're happy with a lower protection, use SPF30+. Don't forget to choose a sunscreen that's water resistant if you'll be swimming.
Many cultures developed their own methods to keep their skin from burning, from pastes and lotions derived from ingredients found in nature, to special clothing that warded off the sun. It's fascinating to know how far we've come with sun protection, especially since nowadays, sunscreen is nearly invisible on the skin.
So the best way to make your skincare routine efficient is to start with the moisturizer and then follow with your sunscreen. That way your face cream and suncare will not get diluted and you will still get maximum efficiency of the SPF.
Ultraviolet light (UVL) “is our biggest risk factor for skin cancer,” said Dr. Jones. “The UVL rays cause damage to our skin cells increasing the risk of skin aging and skin cancer. Using sunscreen on a daily basis is critical to protect the skin cells from this damage.