Summer is almost here, which means it’s time to revisit your beach and BBQ must-haves. Is the grill operational and prepared? Verify. Is ice cream in the freezer and hot dogs in the refrigerator? Verify. Does your sunscreen have an expiration date on it?
Though it may not be something you want to think about, enjoying the sun and staying safe go hand in hand. According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Americans and is frequently linked to sun exposure.
Here’s how to keep yourself safe in the summertime.
What sunscreen is the safest?
Experts argue that the best sunscreen is the one you’ll use.
Find a different formula that works for you if the texture or scent bothers you and makes you want to avoid reapplying. For example, stick sunscreens work well for outdoor activity because they don’t drip when you perspire.
However, there are a few more items on the label to be aware of.
Broad spectrum sunscreens
If a sunscreen truly shields your skin from the sun, then that one is at least the safest. Sun protection factor, or SPF, is limited to shielding against UVB rays. According to one Environmental Working Group (EWG) study, most sunscreens tested did not perform as well as they should have in terms of blocking UVA radiation.
UVA radiation produces a tan, while UVB radiation causes sunburn. According to Dr. Jennifer Stein, an NYU Langone Health dermatology professor, both are harmful to the skin.
Seek for a “broad spectrum” solution, as it offers protection against both.
Mineral-based sunscreens
Sunscreen compositions come in two varieties: physical (also known as mineral) and chemical. While chemical filters are used by sunscreen, mineral sunscreen protects your skin by using physical blockers like zinc and titanium.
While mineral sunscreen is a contentious issue in the scientific community, it might be your best option. The Food and Drug Administration has designated zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, the two chemicals commonly found in mineral sunscreen, as “GRASE” (generally recognised as safe and effective).
After a study revealed that 12 active chemicals commonly found in chemical sunscreens could be absorbed through the skin, the FDA revoked the “GRASE” label from these components in 2019. Ever since, they have asked producers for information on toxicity.
Avobenzone, cinoxate, dioxybenzone, homosalate, meradimate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, padimate O, oxybenzone, and sulisobenzone are those substances.
Further information is required before those chemicals can be deemed “safe and effective,” although the study did not establish that those ingredients are harmful.
“We just have a question mark; we don’t have that direct evidence,” Stein claims. “It’s simple enough to just use the physical (sunscreen) for those who have questions.”
Look for products that have been validated by a third source as well. Every year, EWG releases a guide to safe sunscreen products that balance UVA and UVB protection, have an ingredient list that is transparent, and don’t include any chemicals that should raise red flags. Emily Spilman, the programme manager of Healthy Living Science at EWG, states that only 25% of the 1,700 goods they examined this year passed.
Many evaluations argue that further study is necessary, although other studies suggest that the compounds they are concerned about—like oxybenzone and octinoxate—may interfere with the body’s normal hormonal processes.
Concerns about the environment also exist. Corals and aquatic life are harmed by several chemicals found in popular sunscreens. The National Ocean Service states that sunscreen can readily rub off in open water and bioaccumulate, endangering fish, sea urchins, dolphins, mussels, coral, and algae. Both Key West, Florida, and Hawaii have outlawed sunscreens that contain ocinoxate and oxybenzone.
Check the kids’ aisle: Fragrance-free, sensitive skin formulas
Spilman suggests products for children and babies because their ratings on the EWG’s sunscreen guide are regularly higher.
According to Spilman, “Just because something is marketed for babies and children doesn’t mean that’s who can use it.”
Mineral compounds like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are frequently used in kids’ sunscreen formulations, keeping sensitive skin in mind. According to experts who previously spoke with USA TODAY, fragrances in personal care items are especially dangerous since they can trigger allergies, don’t increase the efficacy of the product, and may have toxicological implications. Additionally, the labels are frequently ambiguous, with corporations choosing not to specify exactly what gives a product its pleasant scent.
Is sunscreen bad for you?
No – sunscreen is an important part of protecting your skin against sun.
Sunscreen has a potent anti-aging preventive effect. Studies reveal that up to 80% of noticeable facial ageing may be caused by UV exposure. It also aids in the prevention of melanoma, a skin cancer that is occasionally brought on by UV radiation.
According to Stein, most people don’t use enough sunscreen. When at the beach or pool, use a full ounce, or the equivalent of a shot glass, to cover your entire body. She suggests reapplying every couple of hours, particularly after removing your towel and getting out of the water.
But, she adds, sunscreen serves as our “last line of defence” when it comes to UV protection. Here are some additional potent methods to shield oneself from UV rays:
- Avoid direct sun exposure in the middle of the day, when the rays are most intense
- Sit under an umbrella or in the shade when you can
- Wear a hat with a brim to shade your face
- Wear clothing that protects your shoulders, chest and upper back
“According to Stein, “you need less sunscreen the more outer skin you have covered with clothing.”
What SPF do I need?
While SPF isn’t everything, it does contribute to skin protection. Stein suggests using a minimum of 30 SPF, considering that you are applying one entire ounce of sunscreen.
Look for a higher number if your skin is paler, more sensitive, or you burn easily. According to Stein, the SPF number is a ratio that indicates how long you may be in the sun before burning if you wear sunscreen as opposed to not wearing it.
This value can be calculated by multiplying the SPF number by the length of time it will take you to burn if you don’t wear sunscreen. If you burn easily, say in 10 minutes in the sun, wearing SPF 30 complete coverage would give you 300 minutes, or around 5 hours, before you burn.
It makes sense that most individuals are unaware of that exact number. It’s more important to comprehend your skin. SPF 30 should be sufficient if you have darker skin, according to Stein. If your complexion is fair, you may wish to consider SPF 50.
A higher SPF of 50 won’t tell you anything about the balance of UVA ray protection, according to Spilman, and it can even offer you a false sense of security to spend more time in the sun without reapplying.