You know you need to use sunscreen to protect your skin, but many of us fall short when it comes to choosing an effective product and applying it correctly, reports the Wall Street Journal.
For instance, many women may think that if their foundation has sunscreen in it they are protected, but it isn’t enough for for everyday protection.
“Even if they are using a makeup with a sunscreen, I would tell my patients they’re not getting enough protection,” says New York City dermatologist Dr. Neil Sadick.
Dermesse makes several sunscreens that can be worn under makeup. Sunscreen SPF 30 offers broad spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB radiation, something many sunscreens in makeup often don’t provide.
UVB radiation causes sunburn; UVA contributes to long-term skin damage and aging.
Dermesse’s Tropical Sunscreen SPF 55 offers greater UV blocking efficiency than other commercially available products.
Applying Sunscreen
According to Dr. Sadick, only about one in five people wears sunscreen properly on a daily basis.
Dr. Deborah Sarnoff, senior vice president of the Skin Cancer Foundation, agrees. She says people usually wear about a half to a third of the recommended amount of sunscreen. As a result, they get half to a third of the coverage—an SPF 30 becomes SPF 15 or SPF 10, she says.
Dr. Sadick recommends wearing a small shot glass worth of sunscreen to cover the face, ears, neck, hands and any other exposed skin every day.
A recent Consumer Reports article had these tips for protecting your skin:
- Use a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30.
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming.
- Wear a hat and protective clothing in addition to sunscreen.
