Sun exposure is responsible for up to 90% of premature aging and skin disease. When slathering on sunscreen for protection, it’s important to understand SPF, important ingredients and how to most effectively use this skin protection tool. According to the leading online beauty/skin source, CareFair.com:

1)      Understand The Sun’s Rays:  The sun’s rays are measured in three different types of ultraviolet rays - A, B, and C. UVC rays are absorbed by the atmosphere, UVB rays are absorbed by the outer epidermis layer of the skin, and UVA rays are absorbed deeper in the skin. UVB rays are damaging to the skin in the same way that UVA rays are in that they break down collagen and produce free radicals, however UVA rays penetrate deeper in the skin

2)      Don’t Grab The Bottle With The Highest SPF (sun protection factor): This does not guarantee the highest protection from the sun.. The problem arises when the majority of sunscreens protect only against UVB rays. That means when we purchase a sunscreen with an SPF factor of 15 and sit in the sun for three hours, we are freely exposing ourselves to harmful UVA rays with absolutely no protection.

3)      Seek ‘Full-Spectrum’ Protection: Since protection against UVA rays cannot be measured in the SPF format that UVB rays are, the only way to tell if your sunscreen protects skin from UVA rays is to look at the ingredients. Many sunscreens will say they offer "full-spectrum" protection. However, the ingredients to look for are Parsol 1789 and avobenzone that absorb the UV radiation, as well as physical blockers such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that reflect or scatter UVB and UVA rays rather than let them pass through the skin.

4)      Antioxidants Are Your Ally: Remember, no sunscreen will protect you 100% against the sun’s rays. Antioxidants can reduce inflammation, dehydration and free radical formation that results from the ultraviolet light that does manage to get to your skin and penetrate your sunscreen. Look for sunscreens that include antioxidants like vitamins C and E, both of which help boost the sunscreens’ protective effects.

5)      Apply, Apply, Apply: Sunscreen should be applied liberally - meaning that it should be a thick film on the skin - at least thirty minutes before going into the sun to allow the skin to absorb it. Regardless of what the SPF, it should be reapplied at least every 1-2 hours and even more often if swimming, sweating, or at high altitudes and reflective surfaces like snow. The lighter your skin tone, the more often you will want to apply as well.

6)      Don’t Forget The Small Areas:   The smaller areas like lips, creases, and the back of the neck and ears are important parts of the body that need protection. Use a lip balm that contains sunscreen. In short, don`t skimp!

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