Chosing the right sunscreen

Summer is heating up and in an effort to make sure skin does swelter and burn, many people are heading to the store for sunscreen. There are a multitude of different products on the market, and finding the right protection can be difficult. The Environmental Working Group recently released their 2013 guide to sunscreens, and their research findings showed that although new labeling guidelines went into effect in 2012 we’re still dealing with the same old sunscreens. The new rules did not work to make sunscreens better or more effective.

The best sunscreen is a broad spectrum, which protects against UVA and UVB rays. According to the Yahoo! Shine article “Sunscreen Ratings: The Best and Worst for Beach Season 2013,” in addition to looking at that protection, the EWG report also gathered information on sunscreens with low-risk chemical ingredients. It found only 25 percent of the products on the market offer both.

Here’s a look at some of the best sunscreens, with average prices.

- Coppertone Kids Pure & Simple Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50 ($10)

- CVS Baby Sun Lotion Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 50 ($8)

- Sunbow Dora the Explorer Sunscreen, SPF 30 ($10)

- Alba Botanica Natural Very Emollient Mineral Sunscreen, Fragrance Free, SPF 30 ($12)

- Coral Safe Broad Spectrum Face Stick, SPF 30 ($8)

- Jason Pure Natural Sun Mineral Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30 ($12)

- Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Sensitive, SPF 30+ ($20)

- Tropical Sands Sunscreen, SPF 50 ($16)

- Absolutely Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30 ($24)

- Aubrey Organics Natural Sun Sunscreen, Green Tea, SPF 30+ ($11)

 

And here’s the list that no one wants to be on, the worst sunscreens.

- Banana Boat Kids Max Protect & Play Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 110

- Banana Boat Ultra Defense Max Skin Protect Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 110

- CVS Clear Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100

- CVS Kids Wet & Dry Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70

- Neutrogena Wet Skin Spray Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 85+

- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 100+

- Rite Aid Renewal Extreme Sport Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 70

- Rite Aid Renewal Kids Wet Skin Continuous Spray Sunscreen SPF 70

 

The EWG report also weighs in on the age-old controversy, whether it is better to slather on a sunscreen with a very high SPF, like a 50+. It says not necessarily. SPF refers only to protection against UVB rays, not the potentially cancerous UVA rays. The high SPF does not provide increased protection against both rays, and therefore isn’t necessarily better and doesn’t mean one can or should stay out in the sun longer because the product was used.