How to Buy Sunblock
An increasing awareness of the damage to unprotected skin from the sun's rays has more people applying sunblock when they plan to be outside for any length of time. Unlike sunscreen that only absorbs dangerous ultraviolet rays, sunblock actually stops them. With entire aisles in department stores dedicated to hundreds of sun-protection items, buying one can be confusing.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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1
Find a general summer sunblock in your grocery or department store's seasonal aisle. For the best protection, look for the words "broad spectrum" and a SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rating of 30 or higher.
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2
Browse the women's cosmetic shelves for hand and face creams with sunblock included. Even foundation makeup comes in varieties to protect your skin. Sun blocks included in cosmetic products, designed for use with other ingredients, generally contain no extra scent. In addition, they are generally lower in SPF protection.
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3
Buy sunblock for your baby in the infant care department. Made for a child's sensitive skin, look for the words "zinc oxide" or "titanium dioxide" in the ingredient list. Baby sun blocks come in creams, oils, gels and even sprays. The protection lasts a couple of hours before you reapply.
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4
Protect your family with sunblock clothing. Designed to block the sun, these fabrics contain lightweight, sun-reflective fibers woven tightly to prevent the sun's rays from penetrating through to the skin. Clothing manufacturers focus mainly on cover-up swimwear for children and adults.
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5
Order a sunblock with Mexoryl SX, an organic sun protection agent, used widely in Europe and now available in the United States in limited products. Mexoryl SX claims to protect skin against premature wrinkling by blocking the sun's short ultraviolet waves.
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Tips & Warnings
Reapply sunblock often when taking part in outside activities.
Pair sunblock clothing with a sunblock cream or lotion for maximum protection.
Don't allow children to play in the sun for extended periods without some form of sunblock protection.
