Sunscreens and Sun Protection: Frequently Asked

Questions
(updated by Dr. Katz on 6/6/16)
This guide has the following six sections:
Why should I use sunscreen? (Page 1)
What should I look for on the label? (Page 1)
How should I apply sunscreen? (Page 3)
Which specific sunscreens should I buy? (Page 4)
How else can I protect my skin? (Page 5)
Where can I get more information? (Page 6)
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Why should I use sunscreen?

Two main reasons: to prevent skin cancer and to prevent skin aging,
including wrinkles. Some people also need sunscreen if their skin is
abnormally sensitive to the sun.
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What should I look for on the label?

SPF. SPF refers to the sunscreens ability to protect you from
ultraviolet B (UVB) light, which is one part of sunlight that can damage
the skin. Look for a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. SPFs higher
than 50 provide only marginal additional benefit. A few words of
caution on SPF:
1. Reapply regardless. Sunscreens with higher SPFs still need to
be reapplied.
2. Take the SPF with a grain of salt (or sand!). Testing by
Consumer Reports has shown that sunscreens do not always live
up to their advertised SPF. So beware, especially when using a
sunscreen for the first time.
3. Use lots. Getting the benefit of the advertised SPF requires
applying sufficient sunscreen -- about two tablespoons' worth, to
cover the face and body an average-sized adult.
Broad-spectrum. This refers to a sunscreens ability to protect you
from ultraviolet A (UVA) light, which is another part of sunlight that can
damage the skin. Look for a sunscreen thats labeled broadspectrum.
Non-comedogenic. This term means that a sunscreen might be less
likely to cause acne. Look for a sunscreen thats labeled noncomedogenic if you are prone to acne.
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Water-resistant. This term means that a sunscreen resists being

washed away by water. The label should say whether a sunscreen is
water-resistant for 40 or 80 minutes. (Note: No sunscreen is
waterproof, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2012
prohibited manufactures from claiming sunscreens are "waterproof" or
"sweatproof.") Look for water-resistant sunscreen if you will be
swimming, sweating, or otherwise exposed to a lot of water (for
example, at a water park or amusement park). Reapply frequently,
even if using a waterproof sunscreen.
"Sunblock" vs. sunscreen. In 2012 the FDA prohibited sunscreen
manufacturers from labeling their products as "sunblock," so you no
longer see "sunblock" being sold in the United States. That regulation
stemmed from concerns that the "sunblock" label made consumers
think that the product being sold would completely protect them from
the sun's rays, which no products can do. At the same time, as noted
above, the FDA ruled that manufactured could no longer their products
are "waterproof" or "sweatproof."
Creams, lotions, sprays. With cream or lotion sunscreens, its
straightforward to tell how much sunscreen is actually getting onto the
skin. With sprays, its more difficult to tell, since a lot of it ends up
going into the atmosphere -- especially if it's windy. Also concerning
with sprays: the fumes can be inhaled, which might not be good for the
lungs, especially in children. And, if sprayed on the face, it can irritate
the eyes. (A better approach for using sprays on the face: spray it on
your hand, and then apply to the skin on the face.) Finally, potential
flammability of sprays, especially if used near an open flame (such as
at a barbeque) is another concern.
Sunscreens "for kids"? There's no real difference between
"children's" sunscreens and other sunscreens -- except marketing.
Some might be "tear-free" or "sting-free," but most aren't. I don't
recommend specifically buying "children's" sunscreen for kids.
"Facial" sunscreens. There are no standards for "facial" sunscreens,
but some of the products are formulated without oil (good for acneprone people) and fragrances (good for people whose skin is irritated
by fragrances). The active ingredients are typically the same as in
sunscreens not specifically formulated for the face.
Endorsements. I'm skeptical of sunscreens endorsed by organizations
(for example, the Skin Cancer Foundation), because typically the
sunscreen manufacturer has made a financial contribution to the
endorsing organization.
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Price. More expensive isnt (at all!) necessarily better. Price does
matter -- but maybe not the way you'd expect. In my experience, the
more expensive a sunscreen is, the more likely it is to be applied (too)
sparingly, whether consciously or not. That's good for your wallet -- but
not for your skin. Choose a sunscreen that you can afford to apply (and
reapply) in appropriate quantities.
Ingredients and "toxicity." Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are
effective physical (not chemical) blockers -- though not perhaps
effective enough (see below -- is "natural" best?). Some sunscreens
containing zinc or titanium might leave a milky white film on the skin,
generally these sunscreens are less likely to do so. There are
theoretical safety concerns with a number of sunscreen ingredients
(including zinc and titanium, which can contain nanoparticles; also
oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate), but these concerns are outweighed
by the benefits of sunscreens in terms of reducing skin cancer risk, and
I would (and do!) use sunscreens containing all of these ingredients
myself. However, pregnant women might want to avoid products
with retinyl palmitate. Additionally, oxybenzone can be irritating to
some people's skin, so try a sunscreen without that ingredient if
sunscreen irritation is a concern.
"Natural" sunscreens. Natural is not necessarily better, according to
Consumer Reports (July 2016). First, there are no standards for the
term "natural." Second, "natural" is sometimes used to refer to mineral
sunscreens, which contain only titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide. But
none of the sunscreens containing only minerals made Consumer
Reports' "recommended" list. That's likely because sunscreens
containing only zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, which are particles,
don't form a uniform film on the skin. A uniform film is necessary for
good protection.
Expiration dates. Check them. If the expiration date has passed, or if
the sunscreen was purchased more than three years ago, it might not
work as well. Better to buy new sunscreen. Same if a sunscreen has
been exposed to high temperatures or has obvious changes in the way
it looks or feels.
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How should I apply sunscreen?

How much should I apply? Apply more than you might think you
need. An amount that would fill a shot glass is needed to cover the
body of an adult. Most people apply only a quarter to a half of the
amount needed.
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When should I apply it? Ideally, sunscreen should be applied to dry

skin 15 minutes before going outdoors. But if you forget to put it on
before heading outdoors, it's still worth applying anyway once you are
in the sun.
How often should I reapply? Reapply frequently every two hours is
recommended or more frequently if sweating or swimming.
What about my lips? Apply a lip balm or lipstick with sunscreen to
protect your lips, since skin cancer can develop on the lips too.
Will sunscreen stain my clothes? Unfortunately, many sunscreens
can stain fabrics. The best way to decrease the risk of sunscreen
staining clothes is to allow the sunscreen to dry on the skin before
getting dressed.
Which areas do people most commonly forget when applying
sunscreen? The ears, the inside (as well as the outside) of the arms,
and the tops of the feet. Don't forget those commonly overlooked
areas when applying sunscreen.
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Which specific sunscreens should I buy?

Consumer Reports (July 2016) says it best: "The best sunscreen is the
one you're most likely to use." In other words: go with what works for
you.
I have been pleased with some relatively inexpensive Walgreens and
Target ("Up and Up") brand sunscreens. I don't use sprays myself, for
reasons discussed above. Other recommendations are as follows:
Consumer Reports Recommendations (July 2016):
LOTIONS
Best Buys
Pure Sun Defense SPF 50 Disney Frozen
Coppertone Water Babies SPF 50
Equate Ultra Protection SPF 50 (Walmart)
No-Ad Sport SPF 50
Ocean Potion Protect & Nourish SPF 30
Other Recommended
La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Melt-In Sunscreen Milk
Aveeno Protect + Hydrate SPF 30
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SPRAYS
Best Buys
Trader Joe's Spray SPF 50+
Equate Sport Continuous Spray SPF 30 (Walmart)
DG Body Sport SPF 30 (Dollar General)
Other Recommended
Banana Boat SunComfort Continuous Spray SPF 50+
Neutrogena Beach Defense Water + Sun Protection SPF 70
Caribbean Breeze Continuous Tropical Mist SPF 70
STICK SUNSCREENS
Best Buy
Up & Up Kids Stick SPF 55 (Target)
Other Recommended
Coppertone Kids Stick SPF 55
FACIAL SUNSCREENS
Best Buy
None
Other Recommended
Avon Sun+ Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 40
Up & Up Ultra Sheer SPF 30 (Target)
Consumer Reports "CROWD PLEASERS"
A sunscreen that "does it all": No-Ad Sport SPF 50. Bonus:
Relatively inexpensive!
Unscented: Pure Sun Defense SPF 50 lotion or La Roche-Posay
Anthelios 60 Melt-In Sunscreen Milk Lotion
Tropical/coconut scent: Banana Boat SunComfort Continuous
Spray SPF 50+
Doesn't leave oily sheen on skin: La Roche-Posay Anhelios 60
Melt-In Sunscreen Milk lotion (but pricey!), or Aveeno Protect +
Hydrate SPF 30
Non-greasy: Equate Sport Continuous Spray SPF 50
Environmental Working Group recommendations, including a
guide to finding a sunscreen that fits your needs:
https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/
What about sunscreen for sensitive skin? Try sunscreen by
Vanicream (SPF 30, 35, or 50), which contains only titanium and zinc
sunscreens and very few other additives likely to irritate skin.
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More info on Vanicream sunscreen:

http://www.psico.com/products/sunscreens.cfm.
Where to get it? Some Vanicream products are available at
Walgreens, Target, and CVS. To find stores or online retailers that
carry it, go to http://www.psico.com/main/store_locator.cfm.

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How else can I protect my skin?

I've never used sunscreen or tried to protect my skin. Is it too
late to start? No! It's not too late to start protecting your skin and
reducing your risk of skin cancer and skin aging.
Remember: its about your skin, not about the sunscreen. If
youre using sunscreen appropriately and still getting a deep tan or a
sunburn, then use other measures like protective clothing or avoiding
the sun during mid-day to reduce your exposure.
Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a
wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, where possible. (What's a widebrimmed hat? Get one with a brim of at least 3 inches.) You can
purchase sun protective hats, swimwear, and other clothing from the
following (and likely many other companies too!):
Sun Precautions (www.sunprecautions.com)
800-882-7860
(Hats, clothing)
Coolibar (www.Coolibar.com)
800-926-6509
(Hats,
clothing)
Radicool Australia (www.radicoolaustralia.com) 877-266-7297
(Swim wear)
Sunday Afternoons (www.sundayafternoons.com)
888-8742642 (Hats)
Seek shade when appropriate, especially when the suns rays are
strongest between 10 am and 2 pm. (Rule of thumb: if you shadow is
shorter than you are, seek shade!)
Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand, as they reflect the
suns rays, increasing your chance of exposure.
Avoid tanning beds, which can increase your risk of skin cancer and
skin aging. If you want to look tan, consider using a self-tanning
product, but continue to use sunscreen with it.

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If you see something, say something. If you notice anything

changing, growing, or bleeding on your skin, let your doctor know. Skin
cancer is very treatable when caught early.
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Where can I get more information?

Ask your doctor if you have specific questions, or check the following
references for more information:
Consumer Reports: Your Burning Questions, Answered, July 2016,
Page 20-29.
Vox: "Does sunscreen really protect my skin? Your paranoid sunscreen
questions, answered."
http://www.vox.com/2016/6/3/11831114/sunscreen-questions-faq. June
3, 2016.
FDA. FDA Sheds Light on Sunscreens.
Http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm258416.htm.
Updated May 17, 2012.
Environmental Working Group: Sunscreen Guide:
http://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/.
American Academy of Dermatology: Sunscreen FAQs:
http://www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/prevention-andcare/sunscreens#.UajH9tKsg6Z
New York Times Well Blog: The New Rules for Sunscreen
(5/27/13): http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/the-new-rules-forsunscreen/

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