SPF 30 or higher: The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you select a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 (up to SPF 50). An SPF of 15 or 30 should be fine for most people.
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.
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.
“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.
SPF 30 can filter 97% of the sun's UVB rays. Much better! If you think you can layer an SPF 30 on top of an SPF 50 for more protection, think again. Try an SPF 70+ for the maximum amount of coverage and protection instead.
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.
UVB wavelengths happen to be the specific wavelengths that trigger vitamin D production in the skin. Nonetheless, clinical studies have never found that everyday sunscreen use leads to vitamin D insufficiency. In fact, the prevailing studies show that people who use sunscreen daily can maintain their vitamin D levels.
The difference between SPF 30 vs 50
SPF 30 sunscreen blocks about 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 sunscreen blocks about 98%. In other words, the difference between SPF 30 and 50 is not substantial. In theory, SPF 30 means you can be in the sun 30 times longer than you could without any sunscreen before burning.
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46. EltaMD UV Clear is a favorite sun protection for seniors among dermatologists for its lightweight formula and broad-spectrum protection. It's formulated with 9% zinc oxide and offers a high SPF of 46, making it ideal for sensitive, acne-prone, and aging skin.
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.
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.
Her radiant (but always sun-protected!) skin
Having served as the face of Aveeno for over a decade, Jennifer told Forbes that moisturizing daily and using Aveeno 50 SPF sunscreen are key. Self-care Sunday is another secret. The Aveeno spokeswoman told Shape in 2017: "Sunday is my spa day.
Wear clothing to cover skin exposed to the sun, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, sunglasses, and broad-brimmed hats. Use broad spectrum sunscreens with SPF values of 15 or higher regularly and as directed.
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.
When the sun's rays fall on your body, they react with your skin to make vitamin D. To make sure you get the amount you need, let the sun shine on your face or arms for about 10 minutes between 11am and 3pm, but take care not to burn.
“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. This includes cloudy days when up to 80% of the UVL rays will penetrate through the clouds.”
As powerful antioxidants, vitamin E and vitamin C are both sun protection vitamins that can work wonders to protect your body against sunburn. Having adequate vitamin E may actually absorb and offset some of the sun's UV rays, reducing free radicals and cell damage in the body.
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.
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.
As a general rule of thumb, it's best to apply sunscreen after moisturizer as the final step in your skincare routine. Since products with SPF are specifically formulated with certain sun-protective ingredients, layering one on after your moisturizer can help block out those harsh rays.
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.
The final recommendation from the study was that daily use of a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher can help reduce aging of the skin caused by sun damage.