5 essential tips when buying sunscreen

Most of us are aware of the damage UV rays can do to our health. We all know the best way to protect ourselves from them is wearing a sunscreen. However, buying one is actually easier said than done. As you enter a department store looking for a sunscreen, you are immediately overwhelmed by the variety of products available on the market. Since it is important to choose the right sunscreen for your skin, you need to be very careful with what you buy. Here are 5 essential tips you should keep in mind when strolling down the sunscreen aisle:

Go for a broad-spectrum.

A good sunscreen should have broad-spectrum protection so that it can shield you from both UVA and UVB rays. Look for ingredients such as benzophenones (oxybenzone), cinnamates (octylmethyl  cinnamate and cinoxate), titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone, to name a few.

Consider a water-resistant sunscreen if you intend to go swimming or you simply sweat a lot.

Remember that even highly water-resistant sunscreens do not last forever. The longest time a product of this type can endure in the water is around 80 minutes. So, you will need to reapply it regularly.

Choose a product you like.

As funny as this may sound, you should only buy what you like. No matter how good a sunscreen is, if you do not like it (because of its smell or its texture, perhaps), you will likely not use it. When it comes to sunscreen, personal taste matters.

Be careful of your skin conditions.

If you have rosacea, allergies or sensitive skin, it is advisable to avoid products which contain para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), dioxybenzone, oxybenzone, or sulisobenzone. Titanium dioxide or zinc oxide is the better replacement because they are less likely to irritate your skin.

Factor in your skin types.

Many sunscreens are designed to suit specific skin types. While oily skin generally enjoys a sunscreen with mattifying effects, dry skin will benefit more from sunscreens with moisturizing ingredients. Using a product tailored for your skin type will make you feel more comfortable.

Choosing the right sunscreen for yourself can be a challenging task. As every person is different, what works for others may not necessarily be as good for you. The tips above can help you with the preliminary process. Nevertheless, you will possibly need to try a few brands and types before finding the most suitable one.