Everyone knows what sunscreen is and where to buy it, but with so many choices, what should you be looking for? The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day. If you are out in the sun, it is recommended you reapply the sunscreen every 2 hours. This protects against approximately 97% of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Those UV rays can lead to sunburn, skin cancer and premature aging. Some skin cancers can metastasize to other parts of the body and become deadly, so they should not be taken lightly.
If you are going to be outside in the heat or swimming, a waterproof sunscreen is a better choice as it won’t wash off. Many foundations and facial moisturizers include a sunscreen in their formula. Depending on the SPF of the product, you may need to add sunscreen in addition to your moisturizer or foundation.
When looking at ingredients, look for titanium dioxide or zinc oxide instead of chemicals like para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), dioxybenzone, oxybenzone, or sulisobenzone. If you have skin irritation or allergies, avoid sunscreens with alcohol, fragrances, or preservatives.
Although it just takes a few minutes, sunscreen is an important step in your morning routine and can potentially be lifesaving.
If you or someone in your family are facing aging challenges, please give us a call at 480-804-7200 or email us at Heather@DesertCareManagement.com. We’ll be happy to assist!