Tip of the day: The right way to buy and apply Sunscreen

| Posted May 16th 2008 11:50AM by Stephanie Beener
Filed under: Skin Care, Tip of the Day

Little did we know there was a correct way to apply sunscreen (or swunscweam as our daughter calls it). But don't worry, we did a little detective work and figured out the 5 W's for you.

The Who and the What. Of course we're talking sunscreen here. The first step is, obviously, you want to slather it on anytime you're in the sun. That's a given. Just a tiny bit of sun exposure each day can really add up overtime. But did you know that you've got to apply 30 minutes before going outside for the best results? Yes it's true. And again each time you are active (What!? People actually do stuff other than layout on the beach?). If you have a protective hat or clothing, even better.

The When. So when going outside, before you apply, shake up the bottle so that all of the little molecules de-clump. Keep in mind that a handful is enough for your whole body. Apply it all over and don't forget those hard to reach spots like your back or forgettable areas like the back of the ears, knees and legs.

The Where. Okay so you are at Wal-Mart or CVS or wherever you get your swunscweam, you want to get the right stuff but are totally overwhelmed at the choices. We've been there but once you know what to look for, it's not as hard as it seems. Pick a formula that protects against both UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of 15 or higher. These will harness the good energy, block out the bad, harness...good, block... bad.

Also, a higher price tag does not necessarily mean the product is better. Just make sure it has the basic blockers, and appeals to your lifestyle. So if you're swimming, go with a waterproof. If you have a hundred kids to rub down, opt for a spray version. If you are have oily skin or are pimple prone, go for the water-based versions.

You can throw out the old "buy new sunblock every year" rule. If you do that then you were duped by a marketing tactic. All you've got to do is follow the expiration date, since some ingredients do lessen their potency over time, and you're golden -- literally.

The Why. If applied correctly, you will be a healthy, bronzed beauty in no time.

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