Sunscreen: the Good, the Bad & the Bright Red

Several recent articles in print and online media have pointed out that not all sunscreens are created equal. So I went online to find a good sunscreen and get some tips on how to use it. Things got confusing fast, but with some persistent and skeptical use of Google I found information I felt was reliable.

I thought I would summarize it here with links to the original websites to save you some time and effort. One quick caveat, I relied on these articles for the information below and they appear to be reputable sources. However I have no special knowledge or credentials on this subject so use the information at your own risk and please don’t sue me.

Photo by Chris McCormack taken Sept. 29, 2010 Kailua, Hawaii
Photo by Chris McCormack, taken Sept. 29, 2010 Kailua, Hawaii: No changes were made. Some Rights Reserved.
WebMD: Consumer Reports Recommends 15 of 34 Sunscreens Link

This article has tons of useful information. I urge you to read this one in its entirety.

Consumer Reports 5 Least Expensive Recommended Sunscreens

Equate Ultra Protection, SPF 50, at $.56 an ounce

No-Ad Sport SPF 50, at $.63 an ounce

Ocean Potion Protect & Nourish, SPF 30, at $1 an ounce

Equate Sport Continuous Spray, SPF 30, at $1.33 an ounce

Coppertone UltraGuard, SPF 70+, at $1.38 an ounce

Ironman.com: 5 Ways to Get More Out of Your Sunscreen Link

This article recommends getting a sport-specific sunscreen, reapplying every two hours, and making sure that you take some sunscreen with you on long outdoor workouts so you can reapply.

American Academy of Dermatology: Study: Most Americans don’t use sunscreen Link

There are two big takeaways here. First, a shockingly low number of Americans are regularly using sunscreen. Second the academy’s tips for sunscreen use that I included below.

“Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) examined the results of a 2013 survey that asked participants how often they use sunscreen when outside in the sun for more than an hour. Only 14.3 percent of men and 29.9 percent of women reported that they regularly use sunscreen on both their face and other exposed skin.”

C’mon guys let’s get with the program here. No one wants skin cancer.

The Academy’s tips for effective sunscreen use:

Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Apply sunscreen at least 15 minute before sun exposure.

Use enough sunscreen to cover your whole body (about an ounce for most adults), and apply it to all exposed areas, including the ears, scalp, tops of the feet and legs.

Ask someone else to help you apply sunscreen on hard-to-reach spots like your back.

Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating.

Skin Cancer Foundation: Sunscreens: Safe and Effective? Link

This article address common sunscreen related issues like sunscreen use and melanoma, sunscreen use and vitamin D deficiency, and the safety of sunscreen ingredients like oxybenzone, Retinyl palmitate,
 and nanoparticles. It is written by two dermatology professors and includes references.

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