Sunscreen SPF
Sunscreen helps protect against damaging UVA Rays and UVB Rays

© Chrissy Dolezal
Mar 7, 2007

Weather is warming up and it's time to take extra precautions for being outside in the warm sun. Wearing sunscreen will help give you the protection you need outside.
There are many products that contain sunscreen in some form from moisturizer to foundations. Here are some key ways to get the most out of your sunscreen and have the protection needed from the sun.

· First, make sure your sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays. Some just protect against UVA but you need the benefits from both types of sunrays

· Second, get in the habit of using sunscreen everyday on the face, neck and hands. These three body parts and exposed to the sun every day. They are also the three body parts that age the fastest. Keep a travel-size sunscreen in your purse for easy access.

· Third, pick a sunscreen product that gives you the most benefit of sun exposure that you need. Some of us are outside more than the next gal so make sure you are using a sunscreen SPF that has the highest protection that you need.
There is a simple equation to help know what you need in a SPF. First determine the amount of time it takes for you to start turning pink when you are outside. For the very fair skinned person, it is about 15 minutes. Multiply that amount by the SPF number in your sunscreen, most people use an SPF of 15. The answer is how minutes you can be outside without getting a sunburn using SPF 15. After this amount of time is over, you are too! You need to go inside for the rest of the day to prevent any sun damage. In this example, 15 x 15 = 225 minutes of max sun exposure.

· Fourth, use a sunscreen that is waterproof. Even in your day to day life of just heading to the office, a waterproof sunscreen will give you the ultimate usage of the sunscreen.

· Fifth, and the most important, reapply your sunscreen throughout the day. Read the back of the bottle and determine how often it needs to be reapplied. Especially if you are going to the pool or the beach. All sunscreen needs to be reapplied after you are wet.

The best time to apply sunscreen is before you apply your makeup, after you moisturize. If you use a moisturizer that contains an SPF, then you are covered. However, it is better to not use a foundation that has SPF. Foundation wears off or goes on uneven, leaving you with no sun protection!

Sunscreen is vital to give you the max protection from the damaging UVA and UVB sunrays. Remember that there are safe ways to get a tan now days without going to the tanning beds or the beach. There are many products on the market to give you a great tan, in a safe way.