How to Make the Most of Your Sunscreen

It's everyone's favorite time of year again: summer. School is out, the weather is beautiful, and there are endless possibilities of things to do. From trips to the beach or theme park, to just lounging around in the backyard, there is one thing that everyone will be doing: hanging out in the sun. While everyone should enjoy the warm weather, it's important to remember that the sun can be very dangerous. The most prevalent sun-related issue come summertime is, of course, the sunburn. No matter what your skin tone, it's important to wear sunscreen. However, sunscreen is useless if you don't use it correctly. The following information will help you understand sunscreen so you can keep your skin beautiful.

SPF
The first thing you should look for when picking out your sunscreen is its SPF, or Sun Protection Factor. The higher the SPF, the more protection you will receive from sundamage. However, after you reach about SPF 30, the protection an SPF of a higher number will be very similar. However, there are large differences in the amount of protection you will find in an SPF of 5 and an SPF of 15.

Skin Tone
Everyone is susceptible to sun damage, regardless of how dark your skin may naturally be. While fair skinned individuals are usually very aware of how easily they burn, darker skinned individuals usually do not have easily visible skin damage due to the sun. However, they are still able to have damage that can cause skin cancer, wrinkles, and sun spots. Fair skinned individuals should always wear an SPF of at least 30. Individuals with darker completions should at least wear an SPF of 15.

Apply and Reapply!
Apply your sunscreen thoroughly about fifteen minutes before you step outside. This will allow your skin to absorb the lotion, allowing you to be fully protected before stepping into the sun. Always reapply after going in the water, even if you are wearing sunscreen that claims to be waterproof. Just like anything else, water can and will wash it off of your skin. Also, remember that the water will reflect the sun light straight on to you. While you may not feel like you are getting burnt when you are taking a refreshing dip in the Atlantic Ocean or the pool in your backyard, you may be getting a more intense burn than if you were sitting on the beach.

Don't make excuses!
You may say I will look dorky with white stuff rubbed all over my skin!. You may look a little dorky for one or two minutes, but how will you look with wrinkles and scars from skin cancers that had to be removed? You may say I have no one to rub the sunscreen on my back. Well this makes a great opportunity to introduce yourself to a good looking single at the beach, and have them apply it for you. The worst excuse of them all, however, is that you don't want to be pale�. Tanning is a sign of skin damage - it is not a healthy glow! If you are not able to be comfortable with the skin color you were born with, there are many fake bake products, which will help you achieve a real looking tan without the skin damage. Today's products aren't orange like fake tanners of years past; many products, such as Jergen's Natural Glow, act as a gradual tanner and moisturizer combination, allowing the user to pick how deep their tan is.

What do you have to lose?
By wearing sunscreen, you won't have to deal with the temporary embarrassment of an ugly red sunburn. You also won't have to deal with wrinkles or sunspots. Most importantly, though, you won't have to worry about skin cancer (which can be very expensive, painful, and inconvenient to deal with).

So what sunscreens are good?
I personally swear by Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Dry Touch sun block with SPF 55. I have very fair skin, so I naturally use a very high SPF. However, most sunscreens will work as long as you apply a decent amount and reapply throughout the day. If you don't need time to let the sunscreen absorb into your skin so it isn't visible immediately after applying, then you haven't put enough on!