Your Complete Sun Protection Checklist
Your Sun Protection Checklist
- Make sure the sunscreen you choose is at least SPF 30+ and “Broad-Spectrum.”
- Apply sunscreen every single morning, re-applying every 2 hours — especially when you’re outside.
- Besides sunscreen, the American Cancer Society also recommends a holistic approach to staying sun-safe including, wearing protective clothing (such as a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses), seeking shade (especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.), and avoiding tanning beds, which can cause long-term skin damage and contribute to skin cancer.
- In terms of "reef-safe" sunscreen options, you'll want to avoid certain ingredients when you are in close proximity to coral reefs in a body of water. Dr. Michelle Wong of Lab Muffin Beauty Science has noted that researchers are "of the opinion that the harm from sunscreen for the vast majority of coral reefs is actually miniscule" and "the much bigger threats to coral are climate change and agricultural management." However, if you'll be swimming near coral, Dr. Wong recommends applying sunscreen at least 20 minutes before entering the water and using a sunscreen without ingredients found to harm reefs in some studies, including oxybenzone, octinoxate, enzacamene (4-MBC), and zinc oxide. Keep in mind, the terms "reef-safe" or "reef-friendly" are unregulated and not always reliable, so you'll want to rely on your own judgment and label reading.
“I have trouble finding sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white cast.”
In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Dr. Michelle Henry, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill Medical College, noted that ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide can leave a white cast behind on some skin tones when formulated incorrectly. Henry instead “recommends looking for formulas that include micronized zinc and titanium dioxide, or the addition of masking pigments."
- The Clean Conscious Set + Protect Micro Mist SPF 30 from Soleil Toujours is sheer and lightweight, perfect for sun protection with no white residue.
- Supergoop! Unseen SPF 50 is a popular chemical sunscreen that applies like velvet and is one of our top SPF options for deeper skin tones.
“I have acne-prone or sensitive skin and feel like sunscreens always make me break out or irritate my skin.”
If you think your current sunscreen is causing congestion or breakouts, your best bet is opting for a physical sunscreen or one that’s specifically formulated for acne-prone skin, like an “oil-free” option. Same goes for sensitive skin types — stick to a physical blocker.
- Supergoop! Mattescreen SPF 40 is formulated with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide — an ultra-lightweight physical formula perfect for oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin types.
- Image Daily Prevention Sheer Matte Moisturizer SPF 30 not only protects against the sun, but smoothes skin's appearance and helps to minimize shine while blending seamlessly without a whitecast.
“I’m inside a lot, so I don’t really get why I should wear sunscreen every day.”
Even if you plan on spending your time indoors, our experts still recommend daily sunscreen to protect you from light filtering in through windows and the potential damage of blue light from screens. There’s still more research needed to fully understand the effects of blue light on our skin, but recent studies indicate exposure to blue light may cause skin damage—we recommend wearing sunscreen in front of screens, just in case.
- Dr. Loretta Urban Antioxidant Sunscreen SPF 40 offers multifaceted protection from UVA, UVB, HEV, and pollution with peptides to firm and hydrate skin.
- Supergoop! Handscreen SPF 40 is perfect for those who work from home or drive to an office—we give it bonus points for hydrating hands as it protects.
