How to Choose Sunscreen

Medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Last Updated: December 17, 2021 References

If you are going to be out in the sun, it's important to apply sunscreen to prevent sunburns, premature skin aging, and skin cancer. Whether you are heading out to the beach to go swimming or heading out for a fun day of hiking, applying sunscreen should be part of your regular day. However, it's important to know what type of sunscreen to choose. When picking out a sunscreen, you need to think about the sun protection factor (SPF), ingredients, and whether you need a specialty sunscreen for your skin or your activities.^{[1]
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Research source} You should also keep in mind factors like safety and potential toxicity, allergies to any of the ingredients, and whether the sunscreen you choose might disrupt your hormone balance.^{[2]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Picking the Right SPF

1
Use a sunscreen that is SPF 15 or higher daily. When going in and out of the sun on a daily basis, for instance going to and from work, your skin gets exposed to a lot of ultraviolet (UV) rays. Using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 every day will help protect you from this type of quick, daily exposure.^{[3]
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- A SPF of 15 can help with minor daily exposure to the sun. However, it is not ideal for when you spend extended periods of time outdoors.
2
Buy a sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher for extended stays outdoors. If you plan on spending time outdoors, such as going to the beach or playing a sports game outside, it's important to give your skin more protection. Pick a sunscreen that has a SPF between 30 and 70.^{[4]
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- A sunscreen with a SPF of 30 will block out 97% of the sun's UV-B rays.
3
Be wary of buying sunscreen that claims to have an extremely high SPF. Sunscreen with an SPF higher than 70 is generally only slightly better than SPF 50-70. Picking a sunscreen with a SPF of 80 or 90 may just cause you to spend extra money for a product that is really no better.
- As the SPF numbers increase beyond 50, the amount they protect only increases very slightly. For instance, a SPF of 50 blocks 98% of UV-B rays, while a SPF of 100 blocks 99% of UV-B rays.^{[5]
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4
Pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen. A broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against UV-A and UV-B rays, which are different types of ultraviolet rays that can damage the skin. Sunscreens that are broad spectrum should state it clearly on the label.^{[6]
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- The ingredients in sunscreen that protect against UV-A and UV-B rays are different. In order for a sunscreen to protect against both, it needs to be a combination of several protective ingredients.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Choosing the Right Ingredients

1
Use your personal preference to choose between forms of sunscreen. Sunscreens come in a wide variety of forms, including lotions, creams, ointments, gels, sprays, wipes, and lip balms. What type you use should depend on what you like to use and what you need to protect with the sunscreen. For instance, use an SPF lip balm to protect your lips.^{[7]
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- Whatever form of sunscreen you choose, it should state clearly what SPF it is, if it is broad spectrum, and how it should be applied effectively.
- Be sure to follow the application instructions for the specific form of sunscreen you are using, including how long you need to wait after application before sun exposure and how often it should be reapplied.
2
Try a sunscreen with different ingredients, if necessary. If your skin reacts badly to the type of sunscreen that you have been using, there are other types you can choose from. Not all sunscreens have the same protective ingredients, so look at the ingredients in the one you have and pick a new product that has different ingredients.
- Some skin reactions that signal that you need to use a different sunscreen include itching, burning, or redness.
- Many people have a sensitivity to para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), which is a common ingredient in some sunscreens. If you are sensitive to that ingredient, look for sunscreen labels that say "PABA free."
- Avoid sunscreens containing oxybenzone, which can penetrate your skin and disrupt your hormones.^{[8]
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3
Choose sunscreens that physically block UV light. “Physical” sunscreens work by blocking and reflecting the sun’s rays, while “chemical” sunscreens protect your skin by absorbing harmful UV radiation. Unlike chemical sunscreens, physical sunscreens don’t get absorbed by your skin, so they’re gentler and less likely to affect your body chemistry.
- Look for sunscreens that say “physical sunscreen,” or that list zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as their primary ingredients.
4
Make sure your sunscreen is not expired. Always look at the expiration date on your sunscreen before using it. This is important because some sunscreen ingredients can degrade over time, and expired sunscreen will not give you the sun protection you are expecting.
- It's a good idea to buy new sunscreen every year to ensure that it is totally effective. However, in general, sunscreen is required to last at least 3 years.
Remember that a more expensive sunscreen isn't always better! Although a costly brand might feel or smell better, it is not necessarily more effective than a cheaper product.

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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Picking the Right Specialized Sunscreen

1
Buy children's sunscreen for kids. There are many sunscreen products that are made specifically for kids. These products typically have high SPFs, use ingredients that are gentle on children's skin, are broad spectrum, and are water proof. Choosing one of these products for you child will help ensure that they are fully protected from the sun.^{[9]
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- In general, children's sunscreens tend to use ingredients that physically block UV rays, like zinc oxide, instead of chemicals, like PABA and oxybenzone, because they are better for sensitive skin.^{[10]
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- However, children under 6 months old should be kept totally out of the sun, if possible. This is because their skin can absorb more ultraviolet rays than adults’ skin, and protecting it effectively can be very difficult.^{[11]
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2
Purchase makeup with sunscreen in it. If you are a person who always wears makeup, consider getting some that has SPF built into it. This will help ensure that your face is always protected from the sun without you needing to apply a separate sunscreen. There are a wide variety of makeup brands that carry products with SPF built in, so investigate what your favorite brand has to offer.^{[12]
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- The makeup that most often includes SPF is foundation, because it is applied to the entirety of your face.
3
Buy lip balm with an SPF of at least 30 to protect your lips from the sun. Whether you are planning on spending an extended amount of time outside or you are just going about your daily life, it's a good idea to apply some protection to the skin on your lips. However, you do not need to use regular sunscreen on your lips. Buy a lip balm that includes SPF so that your lips are moisturized and protected at the same time.
- SPF lip balms vary in their protection. Pick one that has a SPF of at least 30 so that your lips are thoroughly protected.
4
Look for a water-resistant sunscreen if you will be sweating or swimming. Water-resistant sunscreen will hold up better when exposed to moisture, while other sunscreens may be washed away almost immediately. If you will spend even a small part of your day in the water, pick one of these sunscreens.^{[13]
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- Sunscreen cannot be labeled "waterproof" any longer, as no sunscreen is completely waterproof. Instead, these sunscreens are labeled "water-resistant."
- Water-resistant sunscreens should state how long they will last while swimming or sweating, typically either 40 or 80 minutes. Take this into consideration when judging when to reapply.^{[14]
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5
Look for a product for sensitive skin, if necessary. If you have sensitive skin, look for sunscreens that use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to block UV rays. These products physically block the rays and are not absorbed into the skin in the way that other sunscreen chemicals are. This tends to make them good for sensitive skin.^{[15]
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- While these ingredients used to make the skin look white when they were applied, they have been greatly improved and no longer impact your complexion.^{[16]
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Tips

Apply sunscreen at least once every 2 hours, more often if you swim or sweat excessively.

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While it’s important to protect yourself from the sun, sunlight is also an excellent source of vitamin D. Try spending a few minutes outside in full sunlight daily with no sunscreen. Ask your doctor how much unprotected time in the sun each day is healthiest for you.

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Warnings

Medical organizations, such as the American Cancer Society, recommend the use of sunscreen because it protects against the skin cancers squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma.

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A higher SPF does not mean that you need to apply sunscreen less often. SPF simply tells you how much protection you are getting. For example, SPF 15 gives you 15 times the protection your skin normally gives you.

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