Ask a dermatologist: What sunscreen should I use?

There are many types of sunscreen to choose from, and it can be confusing and overwhelming to pick the right one for your needs.

To start, look for a mineral-based sunscreen that uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as its active ingredients, and choose a sunscreen that’s at least SPF 30—it offers the optimum amount of protection for daily wear.

Coola’s Mineral Sun Silk Creme with SPF 30 gets the job done with flying colors. It’s silky, smooth, and doesn’t leave a white cast. Plus it gives a nice glow to your skin.

The sun emits two types of rays—UVA and UVB.

UVA rays are responsible for long-term effects, like wrinkles. UVB rays are the rays that cause sunburns and peeling.

SPF, or sun protection factor, tells you the percentage of UVB rays the sunscreen will protect you from. SPF 15 prevents around 93% of the sun’s UVB rays from reaching your skin, SPF 30 prevents around 95%, and SPF 50 prevents around 98%.

Grove’s in-depth guide has everything you need to know about SPF numbers and their meanings.

Of course! Broad spectrum sunscreens work well for everyone because they protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

UVA rays are known for premature aging while UVB rays cause sunburn.

Make sure your sunscreen says “broad spectrum” on the bottle, otherwise it only protects against UVB.

Remember—it’s always better to choose a sunscreen with a lower SPF that protects against UVA and UVB than a sunscreen with a higher SPF that only protects against UVB.

The best sunscreen for your face is going to be a mineral sunscreen. Try to stay away from chemical sunscreens such as those with oxybenzone, avobenzone, cinnamates, benzophenone, and dibenzoylmethane, as allergists have found that these are the most common ingredients people have allergic reactions to.

Stick with physical blockers such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—they’re better for the environment, too.

I also recommend a tinted sunscreen, like the SPF 30 Mineral Tinted Sunscreens by Unsun. They come in two shades that work for lighter and darker skin tones. They both protect against UVA and UVB rays, and, as an added bonus, they leave a subtle tint and glow on your skin!

Before we get into which sunscreen is better for pregnant people, let’s talk about two different types of sunscreens—chemical and physical.

Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin, where they catch the sun’s rays then release them through your body’s heat.

Physical sunscreens are blockers that sit on top of your skin and reflect sunlight away.

Physical blockers like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are better for pregnant people because they aren’t absorbed into the skin. The actives in chemical sunscreens, such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, and homosalate, are eventually absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream, where they could potentially cause hormone disruption.

The harsh ingredients present in chemical sunscreens can irritate a child’s skin, particularly in children with sensitive skin. In addition, the oxybenzone in some chemical sunscreens has been shown to disrupt hormones and cause negative effects like early puberty.

For children six months and older, it’s best to use physical sunscreens that are formulated for children and tested by dermatologists. I especially love Babyganic’s Sunscreen Stick. It is SPF 50, uses mineral actives titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to safeguard your baby’s skin, and provides broad spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays.

What about babies younger than 6 months?

Small children, six months and under, have extra sensitive skin and should avoid sunscreen if possible. Keep babies out of direct sunlight and in the shade, and if you know you’ll be outside for a while dress them in a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.