You cannot go anywhere these days without hearing about it. Sunscreen; put some on! With the threat of skin cancer forever looming in the rays of the sun, sunscreen has become a staple of a good skin care regimen. Along with keeping your skin dirt free and moisturized, you will want to add a layer of protection from damaging UV rays, so you need a good sunscreen.

The confusing factor is that there are so many different sunscreens out there to choose from. When should you put on sunscreen? Is waterproof sunscreen really waterproof? What if your skin is darker? Is it really helping to protect your skin? These are only a few of the questions you may have regarding sunscreen. Now is the time to know the facts.



Most people tend to slather on the sunscreen right before going out into the sun. Nice try, but that is not enough. You need to apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before you go outside to romp in the sun. Around 20 minutes later, you should put on a second coat to make sure any spots you have missed have a chance at being covered, as well as making sure your protection is still in place.



If you only have a regular sunscreen (non waterproof or sweat proof), you should reapply at least every two hours of continuous sun exposure. Should you be swimming of constantly sweating, reapply much more frequently. Not only can the wetness help to remove it, but when you dry off with your towel, you will also be wiping off your sunscreen, so put more on once you are finished drying.

A waterproof sunscreen will usually last you for around 80 minutes if you are constantly having fun in the water, so be sure you should reapply frequently just to be sure. There are water resistant sunscreens which will last for half as much time as waterproof sunscreens; around 40 minutes, so reapply when your time is up.

Many people will put sunscreen on the basic areas of the body; arms, legs, torso, and face. They often forget other areas, which can become especially sensitive when burned, such as the ears, back of your neck, tops of your feet, and exposed areas of your scalp. As it can be a little cumbersome to get to some of these places with a typical sunscreen lotion, you can always use a spray or a sunscreen stick.

You may find that some of your cosmetics, such as foundation, contain sunscreen. While this is helpful, the SPF power they contain is not going to be anywhere near as strong as what a typical sunscreen can offer you. Obviously you are not going to apply a nice thick later of foundation. Instead, try a moisturizer that contains a high SPF sunscreen.

Remember that sunscreen does have a shelf life; so that bottle you bought last summer will probably not be as strong as you need it to be today. The ingredients in sunscreens will eventually lose their strength and be of little use to you. If you find that your sunscreen is a different color, drier, or has a different consistency, it is time to buy a new sunscreen and toss out the other one.

People with sensitive skin may have trouble using some sunscreens. These days, chemical-free sunscreens have begun to grace the market shelves. These contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These ingredients and the other ingredients they work with can help keep your skin from becoming irritated while still deflecting the rays of the sun.

Even if you have dark skin, you should use sunscreen. People equate sunscreen with protection from sunburn, but it is also necessary to help avoid skin cancer, something people with dark skin can still get even if they do not burn. Keep your skin safe and put on some sunscreen, even if you have no burn worries.