We have heard it a million times. “Make sure you wear sunscreen!!” But it’s true. If you want to age gracefully, not to mention prevent skin cancers, you gotta wear it. But you may be surprised to know that not all sunscreens are created equal. In fact, a lot of them don’t actually do much to protect you from those aging rays. Here’s what you need to know.

Read the Label

Make sure you’re getting a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. It can be intimidating to read a list of ingredients that are difficult to say, let alone comprehend. Dr. Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital’s dermatology department in New York City, states that when selecting sunscreen, one should look for a product that is labeled broad-spectrum and has an SPF of at least 30. This ensures protection from both UVB and UVA rays. If you’re using something below 30, it’s really almost useless. 

SPFs Can be Misleading

Just because a sunscreen has a high SPF, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s protecting you against UVA rays. When it comes to the SPF levels in sunscreens, the medical community recommends at least 30, but the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has noticed that products claiming to have high SPF values are becoming more common, and are often misleading. 

This is because the SPF value on the label only applies to UVB protection, not the ultraviolet A rays. These rays can cause skin damage and melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Yikes.

Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreens

What is the difference between the two? According to Dr. Zeichner, mineral sunscreens contain either zinc oxide or a combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These ingredients form a barrier on the skin’s surface that reflects away UV light. However, they often leave a white tinge on the skin. On the other hand, chemical sunscreens use compounds that absorb UV light, but they may cause irritation in those with sensitive skin. Therefore, mineral sunscreens have the most safety data for those with sensitivities.

Oxbenzone and Avobenzone:

Both of these are common ingredients used in sunscreens but oxybenzone  may affect hormone levels, while avobenzone is considered more skin-compatible. No one needs their hormone levels altered. It’s hard enough keeping the balance, especially after having children. 

Broad-Spectrum Importance. 

We will say it again. Broad-spectrum sunscreens are the best way to protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays cause wrinkles and UVB rays lead to sunburns and skin cancer. Many people only consider sunburns when it comes to protection; however, UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply and can also be linked to cancer and signs of aging. UVA rays are present all year round, even when it is cloudy or you are inside near a window.

Water Resistance:

For the summertime, when you’re headed to the beach or swimming pool, utilizing a water-resistant sunscreen is a must. It’s important to realize that most sunscreens require you to re-apply every 2 hours, but most people either forget or don’t read the instructions entirely. So make sure you’re getting something that’s water resistant. 

Vitamin D Factor

It’s widely known that vitamin D is essential for overall well-being, ranging from bone health to immune system functioning and even mood regulation. What you may not know is that sunscreen blocks UV rays which help produce vitamin D in your body.  So sitting in the sun to get that vitamin D won’t do anything if you’re wearing sunscreen, and you definitely want to be wearing it. It’s best to take a quality vitamin D supplement instead of sun baking. 

Additional Protection

We know it’s not natural or achievable to stay out of the sun entirely. When you are outside, make sure you have protective clothing, shade, and be sun-smart during peak hours.

The Bottom Line

We know that we have thrown a lot of information at you, so here is the bottom line. Choose a sunscreen that you will actually use, and consider a tinted sunscreen for visible light protection. Make sure the sunscreen you pick has a broad-spectrum of at least 30 SPF. You want it to work after all!