Skin saving tips on how to apply sunscreen

Picking the right sunscreen is important to protect skin from cancer and premature aging, but what’s even more important is how to apply it. Without understanding how, even the best sunscreen can be ineffective.

For beachgoers, new skin safety research constantly changes so it’s important to keep up with the latest reports to stay healthy.

Before shopping for a sunscreen, though, it’s important to know the different varieties. Those who are on the organic and holistic road may find that a trip to a health food market have several natural sunscreens. Typical organic sunscreen ingredients include:

• Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
• Ethylhexyl Salicylate
• Homosalate
• Octocrylene
• Titanium Dioxide 2.0%

Organic sunscreens are generally paraben and fragrance-free. Some offer UVA and UVB protection with vegetarian ingredients.

On the flipside, other sunscreen manufacturers also offer an anti-aging and a skin recovery enhancement its ingredients. Important broad spectrum formulas (UVA and UVB protection) to look for in these options are:

• Avobenzone
• Ecamsule
• Oxybenzone
• Sulisobenzone
• Titanium dioxide
• Zinc oxide

There is a flurry of skin safety tips when applying sunscreen. The most valuable is sunscreen should be applied 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. And don’t be frugal with it – reports have shown that not enough is being used to cover and protect the body.

Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours. Don’t let the “long-lasting” word on the label make one think otherwise. And if it’s not waterproof, do reapply more often after returning back from the water.

When applying sunscreen, it’s important to take note that susceptible areas of burn may be overlooked, such as:

• Ears
• Back of legs
• Tops of feet and hands
• Scalp (if there is a receding hairline or one wears a buzz cut)

Another area needing extra attention is the lips. If outdoors, do wear lip balm which offers a Sun Protection Factor (SPF). Like other parts of the body, lips too, can be at risk to lip cancer. In fact, sun exposure is rated as the number one reason.

And before heading out for some outdoor playtime, do check the product expiration date. If it has expired or has been opened for several months, it may not provide ultimate skin protection.

Despite how powerful a product may be its still always wise to find shade to give skin a break. And above all, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses for extra anti-aging care.