Which Type of Sunscreen is Best?

CLEVELAND - With so many sunscreens being advertised these days, it can be hard to know which one is best to buy.

Jennifer Lucas, MD, dermatologist at Cleveland Clinic, offers some helpful tips to keep in mind.

“The most important thing when you’re grabbing your bottle of sunscreen is that it’s at least 30 SPF. It should have the words ‘broad spectrum’ on it, meaning it covers all the rays of the sun that are going to hit you. And then I usually recommend you have a water resistant or a waterproof version, so it doesn’t wash or rub off,” said Dr. Lucas.

Dr. Lucas said it doesn’t matter whether the sunscreen is a brand name or not. 

What’s more important is that it is broad spectrum and that you regularly apply it throughout the day. 

The same goes for making sure you're applying enough. 

An adult should be using one ounce worth of sunscreen, which is about the size of a shot glass. 

Dr. Lucas notes that if you have sensitive skin, you may want to choose a physical blocker sunscreen. 

“Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, these are products that are physically going to lay on top of your skin. They block the sunrays by acting as a barrier. The advantage of those is they can be less irritating to the skin. So, if you have allergic skin, sensitive skin, younger children, these are products that you may want to opt for,” she said. 

Dr. Lucas adds that spray sunscreens are fine to use but just make sure you’re rubbing it in so that you are getting enough coverage. 

It can be easy to miss a spot otherwise.