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Surviving the Summer


Sunscreen Basics

If used properly, sunscreen can protect against sunburn and skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in the United States. Whether you buy it in lotions, creams, ointments, gels, wax sticks or sprays, there are three things to look for in your sunscreen:
  • Water resistance. You don't want it coming off when you sweat or go in the water.
  • An SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15. The SPF rating is calculated by comparing the amount of time needed to produce sunburn on sunscreen-protected skin to the amount of time needed to cause sunburn on unprotected skin.
  • Broad-spectrum protection. Look at the label. You want to see these ingredients listed: benzophenones (oxybenzone), cinnamates (octylmethyl cinnamate and cinoxate), sulisobenzone, salicylates, titanium oxide, zinc oxide and avobenzone (Parsol 1789). If sunscreen doesn't have these ingredients, it probably only filters UVB light—the major culprit for sunburn and skin cancer—but not UVA rays. This light is responsible for premature aging and the development of skin cancer, so buy sunscreens with those UVA-blocking ingredients.

By Elisabeth Bergman; Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD

Related Resources
  • Find more on sun safety, at WebMD.

Better information. Better health. WebMD



As a reminder, always consult your doctor for medical advice and treatment before starting any program.

SOURCES: WebMD Feature: "How Your Skin Can Survive Summer." WebMD Public Information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: "Sunscreen: How to Select, Apply, and Use It Correctly." WebMD Medical News: "FDA OKS New Sunscreen." WebMD Feature: "Summer Skincare for Kids." WebMD Medical News: "Shade, Covering Up Best Sun Defenses."