The return of the sun!..and sunscreens that save your skin & wallet
After weeks of doom & gloom weather, this week the sun FINALLY made an appearance. I'm not getting too attached yet, but I do think it's fitting to offer a little refresher on sun smarts. Plus, radiation is stronger during the winter, since the sun is closer to the Earth. All the more reason to stay diligent with daily sunscreen!
In this cost-conscious time, it helps to know what to look for in a sunscreen. This means understanding all of the protective ingredients you need, without spending a fortune. Here's how to find the right one for you.
Essential ingredients
Expensive doesn't necessarily mean better. Focus on finding a sunscreen that protects your skin from ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, which can cause skin damage, aging and cancer, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). UVA and UVB can also suppress the immune system, reports the Skin Cancer Foundation. Fortunately, broad-spectrum sunscreens offer effective protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
Look for a combination of these active UVA ingredients:
Also, look for at least one of these UVB-absorbing ingredients:
Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide provide both UVA and UVB protection. Plus, these ingredients seldom cause skin irritation.
SPF smarts
Look for sunscreen with SPF 15, or preferably higher. Recent clinical trials have shown that sunscreen with SPF 30 provides better protection than one with SPF 15, according to the University of California, San Francisco. UCSF suggests applying sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 and frequently reapplying.
Beyond basics
Now that you know the essentials, search out an affordable option. Sunscreens come in many forms: creams, gels, lotions, ointments, sprays and wax sticks. While no one type is more affordable than the others, creams work particularly well on the face and dry skin, and gels and sprays are easiest to use on hairier parts of the body. You’ll also find sunscreen for sensitive or oily skin and kids.
More money-saving tips
Try these tips to further cut the cost of sunscreen:
What's your favorite way to stay sun-protected? Do you wear an SPF moisturizer or a separate sunscreen? Are you a sunless tanner or a pale beauty? What's the most affordable way you've found to stay both sun-safe and beautiful? I've been using Coola Face SPF 15 Moisturizer for a while, and I love it. It's light enough to keep my combination skin shine-free throughout the day, while offering just enough hydration and sun protection during the winter months.
Here's to (gradually) longer days and shorter nights!
In this cost-conscious time, it helps to know what to look for in a sunscreen. This means understanding all of the protective ingredients you need, without spending a fortune. Here's how to find the right one for you.
Essential ingredients
Expensive doesn't necessarily mean better. Focus on finding a sunscreen that protects your skin from ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, which can cause skin damage, aging and cancer, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). UVA and UVB can also suppress the immune system, reports the Skin Cancer Foundation. Fortunately, broad-spectrum sunscreens offer effective protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
Look for a combination of these active UVA ingredients:
- Avobenzone, also called Parsol 1789
- Benzophenones, such as oxybenzone and sulisobenzone
- Ecamsule, also known as Mexoryl SX
- Meradimate (menthyl anthranilate)
Also, look for at least one of these UVB-absorbing ingredients:
- Padimate O, the only FDA-approved para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) ester
- Salicylates, such as homomenthyl salicylate, octisalate (octyl salicylate) and triethanolamine salicylate
- Cinnamates, such as octinoxate (octylmethoxycinnamate) and cinoxate
- Ensulizole (phenylbenzimiazole sulfonic acid)
- Homosalate
- Octocrylene
- Oxybenzone
Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide provide both UVA and UVB protection. Plus, these ingredients seldom cause skin irritation.
SPF smarts
Look for sunscreen with SPF 15, or preferably higher. Recent clinical trials have shown that sunscreen with SPF 30 provides better protection than one with SPF 15, according to the University of California, San Francisco. UCSF suggests applying sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 and frequently reapplying.
Beyond basics
Now that you know the essentials, search out an affordable option. Sunscreens come in many forms: creams, gels, lotions, ointments, sprays and wax sticks. While no one type is more affordable than the others, creams work particularly well on the face and dry skin, and gels and sprays are easiest to use on hairier parts of the body. You’ll also find sunscreen for sensitive or oily skin and kids.
More money-saving tips
Try these tips to further cut the cost of sunscreen:
- Store sunscreen at room temperature to maximize its life. While it may seem convenient, avoid storing sunscreen in the glove compartment or trunk of your car during the summer.
- Choose a moisturizer that also offers broad-spectrum protection, instead of buying a separate sunscreen. Just remember that like any sunscreen, you must reapply your moisturizer at least every two hours.
What's your favorite way to stay sun-protected? Do you wear an SPF moisturizer or a separate sunscreen? Are you a sunless tanner or a pale beauty? What's the most affordable way you've found to stay both sun-safe and beautiful? I've been using Coola Face SPF 15 Moisturizer for a while, and I love it. It's light enough to keep my combination skin shine-free throughout the day, while offering just enough hydration and sun protection during the winter months.
Here's to (gradually) longer days and shorter nights!