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Best sunscreen: Understand sunscreen options

What are the most important things to know about protecting yourself from the sun? Does the best sunscreen have the highest SPF? Are some brands of sunscreen better than others? Do I need to apply sunscreen if I wear cosmetics that contain sunscreen? Content What are the best ways to protect yourself from the sun? What does a broad-spectrum sunscreen do? What SPF do you need? What does water-resistant sunscreen do? What do I need to know about sunscreen ingredients? Should I use a spray sunscreen or a lotion? What else do I need to know about sunscreen?

Does the best sunscreen have the highest SPF?

SPF stands for sun protection factor, a measure of how well sunscreen protects against UVB rays. (UVA protection isn't rated.) Manufacturers calculate SPF based on how long it takes to sunburn skin that's been treated with the sunscreen as compared to skin with no sunscreen.

When applied correctly, a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 will provide slightly more protection from UVB rays than does a sunscreen with an SPF of 15. But the SPF 30 product isn't twice as protective as the SPF 15 product. Sunscreens with SPFs greater than 50 provide only a small increase in UV protection.

Also, sunscreen is often not applied thoroughly or thickly enough, and it can be washed off during swimming or sweating. As a result, even the best sunscreen might be less effective than the SPF number suggests.

Rather than looking at a sunscreen's SPF, choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

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