Spending time outdoors is truly wonderful! The heat of summertime invites more people outside to do a wide variety of recreational activities that put a new and fun spin on their exercise routines. Spending time outdoors also has a significant positive effect on one’s health and well-being.
With the additional time outdoors in the sun, we definitely have to pick the best sunscreen to protect us, but sunscreen can be so confusing, with each one claiming to be the best. Let’s look at what to look for in a sunscreen.
What To Look For In a Sunscreen
Sunscreens work to shield you from the sun’s dangerous in two ways. Sunscreen will scatter the light, reflecting it away from your body or it will absorb the rays before they reach your skin. With that in mind, there are several things to look for in the ideal sunscreen.
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- Look for a Broadspectrum Sunscreen. This means that you will have protection for both UVA and UVB rays. Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays are those that don’t cause sunburn but penetrate deeply into the skin, eventually causing wrinkles and other signs of aging. Ultraviolet B or UVB rays will usually burn the superficial layers of the skin. A broadspectrum sunscreen will protect you from both types of harmful rays.
- Look for the SPF Factor. The SPF factor rates how effective the sunscreen is in preventing sunburn caused by UVB rays. For example, if you normally burn in 10 minutes, SPF 15 multiplies that time by a factor of 15. This means you would have 150 minutes before burning. We recommend SPF30 or higher reapplied every 2 hours.
- Look for Water and Sweat Resistance. Water and sweat resistance means that the SPF will be effective after 40 to 80 minutes in water or in the presence of sweat.
- Look for Sunscreen for Allergies and Sensitive Skin. Nothing takes the fun out of the summer sun than having allergic skin reactions to your sunscreen. Be sure to find a sunscreen that is ideal for sensitive skin.
Meet EltaMD – The Ideal Sunscreen
Now that we’ve shared what to look for in a sunscreen, we would love to share with you one of our favorite lines of sunscreens here at Dermatology and Plastic Surgery of Arizona. EltaMD is a line of sunscreens formulated with transparent zinc oxide and won’t clog pores. It is sensitivity-free, fragrance-free, and paraben-free. It is the ideal sunscreen for skin types that are prone to acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation. We love EltaMD because it is lightweight and silky and leaves no residue. It has both UVA and UVB sun protection, contains antioxidants, and is a natural mineral sunscreen. This makes it the ideal sunscreen for any skin type. With different levels of SPF protection, water resistance, and sweat protection, you will be sure to find the perfect EltaMD sunscreen for you.
To get the best benefit from your EltaMD sunscreen, remember to apply it 15-30 minutes before going out into the sun. Be generous with your sunscreen, making sure to cover all exposed parts of your body, even on a cloudy day. If you are planning to swim, reapply every forty to eighty minutes, otherwise reapply every two hours while enjoying the outdoors!
EltaMD also has a full line of facial cleansers, moisturizers, and other products, so it can even be an integral part of your entire skincare regime.
Take the Next Step
Now that you know much more about what to look for in a sunscreen, we believe that you will want to experience EltaMD sunscreen for yourself. If you would like to schedule a consultation about your sunscreen needs or try the EltaMD line of sunscreens and skin care products, you can fill out the form on this page or call the Tucson office at 520-207-3100 or the Sierra Vista location at 520-458-1787. Our offices are conveniently located at 698 East Wetmore, Suite #310 in Tucson, Arizona and 150 South Coronado Drive Suite #110 in Sierra Vista, Arizona.