06 May SPF Sunscreen: How Do I Choose the Right One?
Tip of the month with Dr. Kates!
First of all SPF 30 is the secret number! Anything above a 30 doesn’t really add anything beneficial to your skin and anything under 30 isn’t enough. The next question you have to ask yourself is do you want chemical or physical blockers. This could change depending on what you are doing for the day so maybe look into having both on hand. This is the basic breakdown.
Physical Blockers- Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide
They sit on top of your skin to block the UV rays.
Pros- It works immediately and does not get absorbed into your body. So if you have more sensitive skin this might be the sunscreen for you.
Cons- It is easily washed away with sweat and/or swimming. Physical blockers can also give your skin a tint of a white/chalky look depending on your complexion.
Chemical Blockers- Oxybenzone & Octinoxate
These create a chemical reaction to protect the skin against the sun. Chemical blockers need to be applies 45 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every 3-4 hours.
Pros- It is light weight and easy to apply. This is also the most common sunscreens to find in stores.
Cons- It can possibly be a skin irritant and has been known to make sun spots darker.
Born and raised a Cali girl i’m a product of the sun worshiper crew. Which is why I tend to gravitate towards the chemical blocking sunscreens. It protects me against the most dangerous rays without any noticing I have it on. I can be as active as I want to be during the day and I know the sunscreen will stay on my skin as long as I apply a couple times throughout the day.
So choose what is right for your lifestyle just as long as you are choosing one!