
Wear sunscreen year-round
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Sunscreen is a must-have to protect your skin—both from aging, but also from skin cancer. It protects your skin from both harmful UVA rays, which can cause photoaging, and UVB rays, which can cause sunburn. Note that UVA rays can pass through glass while UVB rays cannot.
While we often think to use sunscreen during the warm, summer months, it is important that we continue to use sunscreen year-round as we are outside. Sunscreen should be used all year long, even when it is cloudy or cool. On a cloudy day, 80% of the sun’s rays still reach us. The sun’s rays can also be reflected in sand and water, making it even more important to use sunscreen, but also in the winter months when the sun is reflected in the snow.
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So make sure that you wear sunscreen every day, even on days that look overcast and protect your skin.
Sunscreen Works
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What to look for in a sunscreen
Sunscreen is a lotion, spray, gel, cream, foam, or other topical product that absorbs or reflects some of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. There are many available types based on your preferences, but you should look for a sunscreen that offers both UVA and UVB protection, has an SPF of 30 or higher, and is water-resistant.
Sunscreens work in two different ways. Chemical sunscreens actually absorb the sun and contain ingredients like avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, octinoxate, and oxybenzone. These sunscreens tend to be less thick (e.g. without white residue), but the chemicals can be absorbed through the skin.
Physical sunscreens actually block and reflect the sun’s rays and contain ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These sunscreens tend to be a bit thicker, but are a better option for people with skin that is very sensitive to the sun.
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Benefits of using sunscreen
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✅ Protects Your Skin from UV Rays: Sunscreen blocks UVA and UVB rays
✅ Lowers Your Risk of Sunburn
✅ Lowers Your Risk of Skin Cancer
✅ Prevents Premature Aging: Sun damage from UVA rays causes photoaging of the skin, which is characterized by a thick, leathery look, discoloration, and a breakdown of collagen. These contribute to lines, sagging and wrinkles.
✅ Helps Maintain an Even Skin Tone: Sunscreen helps prevent discoloration and dark spots from sun damage, helping you maintain a smoother and more even skin tone.
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Tips for sunscreen use
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To get the most out of your sunscreen:
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Apply antioxidant serum first
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Antioxidants protect the skin from UV rays, keeping it elastic, healthy, and youthful.
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Apply sunscreen on your skin 15-30 minutes before going outside
Sunscreen must be absorbed into your skin, and not your clothing, to be effective when you got outside.
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Apply a generous amount
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It is often recommended that you apply a “shot glass” amount of sunscreen on your body, but the amount of sunscreen has to depend on each individual. Make sure that you apply enough to cover all parts of your skin that are exposed to sunlight generously.
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Repeat every two hours
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Reapply sunscreen to your skin every two hours. Waterproof sunscreen should be reapplied more frequently after going into the water. Remember that a higher SPF sunscreen does not mean it lasts longer. It just means that it blocks a higher percentage of UV rays.
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Some recommended sunscreens
There are a lot of factors that go into selecting the right sunscreen. Below are a list of some options based on factors as ingredients, cost, SPF ratings, and features.
For further information, an excellent list of sunscreens by type is available from the Environmental Working Group: https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/
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Neutrogena CoolDry Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50

ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Ultralight Emulsion Sunscreen, SPF 50+

La Roche Posay Anthelios Sunscreen, SPF 50

Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Sensitive, SPF 30+, 5-oz

EltaMD UV Spray Broad-Spectrum, SPF 46 (4 oz.)

Supergoop Super Power Sunscreen Mousse, SPF 50

EltaMD UV Elements Tinted Broad-Spectrum, SPF 44

Pacifica Sun + Skincare Mineral Face Shade Coconut Probiotic, SPF 30

Supergoop! Play Antioxidant Body Mist, SPF 50 with vitamin C

Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Zinc Oxide Sunscreen, SPF 50

Additional Resources
CDC recommendations on sun safety:
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htm
Tips on safe application for children:
https://www.webmd.com/children/sunscreen-use-correctly
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Environmental Working Groups Guide to the best sunscreens by type:
https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/
Tips on what to look for in a sunscreen: