Spring is here and the sun will soon be shining on the daily! Even though you should be wearing sunscreen every day, it’s especially important to apply it more often as we will soon be spending much more time outdoors. But what makes a good sunscreen? Here’s a few tips from top dermatologists on how to pick a sunscreen that’s best for your skin.
- Always choose a broad spectrum sunscreen. It is important to choose a broad spectrum sunscreen because this type of sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays are the type of sun rays that cause sunburn while UVA rays cause premature aging and wrinkles. Both types of sun rays ultimately can lead to skin cancer.
- Use at least an SPF 30. The SPF of a sunscreen measures how much of the sun’s rays the sun screen is actually able to block out. Dermatologists say that SPF 30 is the magic sunscreen number because it is blocking about 97% of the suns rays. Anything at an SPF 30 or higher will definitely get the job done.
- Use a sunscreen type that best suits your skin. If you have oily skin you should be using a sunscreen that is non-comedogenic so it will not block your pores. If you have sensitive skin you should be using a mineral-based sunscreen because chemical-based sunscreens can cause irritation and redness. If you have dry skin look for sunscreens that include moisturizers like hyaluronic acid.
- Look for a water resistant sunscreen if you will be enjoying the pool or beach. Remember that no sunscreen is waterproof, but many sunscreens can be water resistant for a certain amount of minutes after entering the water. Look for a sunscreen that gives you at least 80 minutes of water resistance and remember to always reapply often to protect your skin while swimming.
The most important tip of all is to remember to always wear sunscreen – day in and day out! It is important to protect your skin from cancer and premature aging. Greune House Med Spa has several physician recommended sunscreens available to you. Stop by the spa and let us help you choose the one that’s right for your skin type! We have two convenient locations in New Braunfels and San Antonio to serve you. Call us at 830-312-4466 (New Braunfels) or 210-255-1400 (San Antonio).
