Suntan Lotions Explained

Sunblock vs. sunscreen. . . PABA and SPF. . . read on to find the truth about the best sunscreen for you, and why you need one right away. Even if you think you know, play it safe and review the basics on sun protection.

What exactly is a sunburn?

Why protect your skin if you’re not familiar with the consequences? When you’re broiling in the sun, you’re being hit with two very unsavory elements that can eventually dry you out and mutate into cancerous cells: heat and radiation.

Finding the right suntan lotion

Okay, the safest way to protect your skin is staying out of it as much as possible. But most of us who appreciate the beach—or even a little jog—have to choose alternate measures to keep our skin from, well, burning to a crisp.

What to choose

So you have to wear some type of sunscreen. But what kind? With sprays, lotions, and gels, anyone could be puzzled. Basic sunblock—think the basic white stuff—is made out of tiny ground particles (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, for example) that can deflect harmful UVA or UVB rays. It’s effective, but it is very apparent. Not exactly your best everyday look, then. . .

Sunscreen is worth your while. With para amino benzoic acid (PABA), a jellylike substance that absorbs UV rays and disables them, sunscreens work well without all the chalky whiteness of traditional sunblock. Many sunscreens have PABA-free options for sensitive individuals, with equivalent ingredients and the same protection levels. It will work just as well as regular sunblock, but will look worlds different against the skin.

Details, details, details

Besides sunblock or sunscreen, you’ll have to choose an appropriate SPF (sun protection factor). As soon as you go outside, you’ll start getting cooked by the sun. An SPF of 15, for example, means that someone can spend about 2.5 hours outside (15 times your regular exposure time without sun protection).

For the more delicate types among us, a higher SPF means that we can spend more time outside. While reapplication extends the time we can spend outside, we’ll only benefit from a slower rate of burning after our initial protection time. It’s best to buy a sunscreen with a higher SPF to start off, just to keep UV rays from filtering through more quickly and harming your skin.

Tips

• The thing to remember with any sunscreen is that if you see lobster red starting to spread across your skin, it’s way too late. Apply your sunscreen before you head out the door, and bring some with you to reapply it as needed. You’ll also need to reapply after swimming and sweating.

• If you hate lugging around a full-size bottle, don’t forget that there are plenty of brands available that clip onto keychains.

• Look for sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Brands like Neutrogena, Blue Lizard, and Lancome all protect against the most harmful UVA rays and can protect your skin more completely.

• Put sunscreen on every day, including winter and on cloudy days. UV rays can affect you no matter what!