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HomeHealth TopicDermatology
01:06

How to Pick the Perfect Sunscreen for Your Skin Type

Your skin has unique needs, even when it comes to sun protection. In this video, learn what sunscreen dermatologists recommend for common skin types.

Lauren Smith, MAAlexandra Schwarz, MD
Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Alexandra Schwarz, MD
Updated on January 30, 2024

Whether you’re prone to breakouts or have skin that’s drier than the Sahara, choosing the right sunscreen can help alleviate your skin issues (or at least not make them worse).

Regardless of your skin tone and type, look for the following words on your sunscreen bottle:

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  • Broad spectrum: This means your sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

  • SPF 30 (or higher): Stay clear of the 8s, 15s, and so on. We’re notorious for applying way less sunscreen than the amounts used in testing, which means you’re getting less SPF than you think.

  • Water-resistant: No sunscreen is 100-percent waterproof. But while you’re doing all that swimming and sweating under the sun, you’ll want as much of the sunscreen to stay on as possible. But either way, you’ll still need to reapply sunscreen every two hours.

Now that the sunscreen aisle is a bit less intimidating, go stock up on the sunscreen your body needs and enjoy some sunshine — the safe way.

References

American Academy of Dermatology. Sunscreen FAQs.

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