-
Step 1
Look for the SPF rating, which is the measure of a sunscreen's ability to prevent UVB rays from damaging the skin.
-
Step 2
Get a sunscreen that can protect you from both UVB and UVA rays. Ocean Potion Sport 30 SPF is a product that provides a broad range of sunscreen for wearing during both sunbathing and watersports.
-
Step 3
Evaluate the ingredients contained in each brand of sunscreen. The most widely used sunscreen products combine several different active chemical ingredients in order to provide complex protection. In the past, many sunscreens widely used paba derivatives, but now you can find brands with less caustic ingredients, such as aloe and minerals.
-
Step 4
Evaluate and compare organic sunscreens on a site like NexTag.com (see Resources below). These formulas can provide good alternatives to those with chemicals you cannot pronounce.
-
Step 5
Compare brands with additional UVB protection. More recently, the spectrum of ingredients in sunscreens has widened, including salicylates and cinnamates for UVB and shorter-wavelength UVA protection. A maximum-protection sunscreen like Solbar PF 50 cream offers a wide range of the newer ingredients on the market, providing good protection against skin damage.
-
Step 6
Investigate brands with the groundbreaking chemical mexoryl. Dermatologists are widely recommending sunscreens with mexoryl for UVA protection and prevention of wrinkles. La Roche-Posay makes many effective and non-oily sunscreens and creams that contain mexoryl SX.
-
Step 7
Choose a brand of sunscreen that has a professional stamp of approval. The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation guarantees that a sunscreen product meets the highest standards of safety and effectiveness. Visit the Skin Cancer Foundation website to learn how a manufacturer must validate the SPF rating on its products and what testing is involved (see Resources below).
