Fair skin or not, sunscreen’s something we should already be using year-round. Come summer though, the pressure’s on with UV rays coming down from the sun ready to do damage. Also, longer days, a stronger sun, and generally more time spent outdoors is the perfect recipe for a sunburn.
How to prevent a sunburn is no secret – wear sunscreen. But with so many different brands and types, it’s not necessarily clear which sunscreen’s the right one for you. When you choose a sunscreen, one must read the label. There are regulations that require the labels to display the ingredients and chemicals in a sunscreen that can say a lot about how safe it is.
How to choose a sunscreen ultimately comes down to three things. The first is you want what’s called ‘broad spectrum protection’. Sunscreens with broad spectrum protection act as a barrier against both UVA and UVB rays. All sunscreens on the market protect against UVB – known to be the main cause of sunburn and skin cancers. That said, UVA rays also contribute to skin cancer and premature aging as well. To be able to market as ‘broad spectrum’, the sunscreen must undergo extensive testing to verify it meets the standard.
Secondly, you always want to ensure your sunscreen has a sun protection factor, or SPF, of 30 or higher. This number indicates the level of protection against UVB rays. Higher SPF means more protection. That said, the higher you go, the less difference it makes. For example, SPF 15 filters about 93% of UVB rays while SPF 50 filters out about 98% and SPF 100 filters 99%. No sunscreen, unfortunately, provides complete protection against skin aging, skin cancer, or sunburn. That aside, dermatologists recommend at least 30 SPF and we’re siding with that.
Lastly, there’s a difference between ‘waterproof’ and water-resistant. Regardless of what claims are made, no sunscreen is waterproof. That said, a manufacturer can claim ‘water resistance’. For the best results of any sunscreen, especially if you know you’re going to be sweating, is to apply again every two hours.
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What sunscreens do dermatologists recommend? - What is the best sunscreen ingredient?
Derma-E sunscreen is a highly recommended product that meets all these standards. It’s natural, mineral oil-free sunscreen with the aforementioned broad spectrum protection we mentioned and an SPF rating of 30. The sunscreen itself is a mix of protectants as well as non-nano mineral zinc oxide, vitamin E, and green tea. Before applying your makeup for the day, massage some on. It’s non-greasy texture makes it easy to absorb and stay in the skin, before you put on everything else you want to walk out the door with. It’s dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, paraben-free, and non-irritating. If there was any one sunscreen we could recommend as the ‘ultimate sunscreen for summer sun protection’, the right answer would be Derma-E sunscreen SPF 30.