Formula: When choosing a sunscreen, there are two different kinds of formulas to consider: chemical and mineral.
SPF Level: Per Sumayah Taliaferro, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Atlanta Dermatology and Aesthetics, SPF (or sun protection factor) is just a measure of how well your sunscreen will protect your skin from the UV rays. Most dermatologists would recommend that you use SPF 30 or above, but in some cases, the ideal SPF level depends on what you’re doing and where you are.
“I often recommend SPF 50+ before more intense exposures like baseball games, golfing, going to the beach, or any other outside activity during peak sun hours,” Dr. Taliaferro says.
Product type: These days, you can find sunscreens in a variety of forms and consistencies from powders to creams to sprays. The type of sunscreen you choose all comes down to personal preference, as there are pros and cons that come with each. A lotion, for example, will give you the most even spread, as stated by Dr. Taliaferro, but some lotions can be messy, runny, or oily when left in the sun.
Sunscreen sprays, on the other hand, tend to be less messy in comparison to lotions, and they come in handy on days when you need to reapply your sunscreen over makeup or other product that might be sitting on your face. That said, if you’re using a mist, you also run the risk of not covering the entire surface area of your face or body with the right amount of product.
“With sunscreen sprays and mists, extra care must be taken to rub in the product to ensure adequate coverage and to not inhale the product,” Dr. Oliver explains. “I therefore recommend that those choosing to use sprays avoid directly spraying onto the face or during windy conditions.”
Sticks are also handy if you want a nonmessy application. “Sunscreen sticks require multiple passes over the same area followed by rubbing it into the skin to make sure you benefit from the level of SPF listed on the bottle,” she adds. “This also makes it less likely that you’ll miss a spot!”