Consumer Reports has spoken: Best Sunscreens of 2017!
Ahhhh summer....lovely and cheery! And sunny!
And because it's sunny and lovely we go out to the beach, do more sports and stay outside longer. Hence the need for a good sunscreen. It's also a chance to learn that the sun is there even in the cold days of winter, in the light reflected by snow and that sunscreens should be a part of our beauty and health routines all year long!
The question is...what is a good sunscreen?
Consumer Reports just published the ratings for the best sunscreens are and I'm giving you a list of the top 7 sunscreens below!
It is no news that excessive exposure to sunlight is a double-edged sword. While we need it to keep our circadian rhythms (that which tells you it's time to sleep and time to wake up) and vitamin D, it definitely is a risk factor for skin cancers of all types including the aggressive melanoma. It also promotes the development of ugly looking solar keratosis and skin dark spots and speeds up skin aging.
Remember that winter may not feel hot, but the sun is there and snow reflects it! We do go outdoors less, but if we do, it's good to follow these recommendations!
The Skin Cancer Foundation and Consumer Reports have made it easier to know what a good sunscreen is. This is what they recommend:
1. SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 40
2. Contains ingredients to block UV rays (both UVA and UVB)
3. Chemically produced: natural sunscreens do not perform as well as chemical ones
Natural and mineral sunscreens didn't perform as well at preventing skin burns and damage after sun exposure. The best performers were chemical (not natural) and contained avobenzoate.
It is recommended that you apply sunscreen to your entire body (including ears and scalp!) 15-30 minutes before going out, and every 2 hours. Apply 1 teaspoon per body area (e.g. 1 to your tummy, 1 to your back, 1 to your face, etc). Reapply sunscreen after sweating (like after sports) and after being in the water, even if your sunscreen is 'waterproof". Shake the bottle before applying it to get maximum benefit.
And don't forget to wear a hat, wear darker and brighter colors to deflect sunlight and stay in the shade between 10 AM and 4 PM.
The July 2017 edition of Consumer Reports published the results of tests on over 60 brand-names and found an amazing difference between what manufacturers claim about their SPF and UV light protection to be and what their performed like. Manufacturers may have to change how they test their products!
Good news is...now we know...and there's an effective sunscreen for every budget and age group.
Here are the top 7 best performing sunscreens according to Consumer Reports:
#1 La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 60 Melt-in Sunscreen Milk
2. Equate Sport Lotion, SPF 50
3. Pure Sun Defense, by Disney, SPF 50
4. Coppertone Water Babies
5. Coppertone Ultra Guard
6. Equate Ultra Protection Broad Spectrum
7. Ocean Potion Protect and Nourish SPF 30
And because it's sunny and lovely we go out to the beach, do more sports and stay outside longer. Hence the need for a good sunscreen. It's also a chance to learn that the sun is there even in the cold days of winter, in the light reflected by snow and that sunscreens should be a part of our beauty and health routines all year long!
The question is...what is a good sunscreen?
Consumer Reports just published the ratings for the best sunscreens are and I'm giving you a list of the top 7 sunscreens below!
It is no news that excessive exposure to sunlight is a double-edged sword. While we need it to keep our circadian rhythms (that which tells you it's time to sleep and time to wake up) and vitamin D, it definitely is a risk factor for skin cancers of all types including the aggressive melanoma. It also promotes the development of ugly looking solar keratosis and skin dark spots and speeds up skin aging.
Remember that winter may not feel hot, but the sun is there and snow reflects it! We do go outdoors less, but if we do, it's good to follow these recommendations!
The Skin Cancer Foundation and Consumer Reports have made it easier to know what a good sunscreen is. This is what they recommend:
1. SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 40
2. Contains ingredients to block UV rays (both UVA and UVB)
3. Chemically produced: natural sunscreens do not perform as well as chemical ones
Natural and mineral sunscreens didn't perform as well at preventing skin burns and damage after sun exposure. The best performers were chemical (not natural) and contained avobenzoate.
It is recommended that you apply sunscreen to your entire body (including ears and scalp!) 15-30 minutes before going out, and every 2 hours. Apply 1 teaspoon per body area (e.g. 1 to your tummy, 1 to your back, 1 to your face, etc). Reapply sunscreen after sweating (like after sports) and after being in the water, even if your sunscreen is 'waterproof". Shake the bottle before applying it to get maximum benefit.
And don't forget to wear a hat, wear darker and brighter colors to deflect sunlight and stay in the shade between 10 AM and 4 PM.
The July 2017 edition of Consumer Reports published the results of tests on over 60 brand-names and found an amazing difference between what manufacturers claim about their SPF and UV light protection to be and what their performed like. Manufacturers may have to change how they test their products!
Good news is...now we know...and there's an effective sunscreen for every budget and age group.
Here are the top 7 best performing sunscreens according to Consumer Reports:
#1 La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 60 Melt-in Sunscreen Milk
2. Equate Sport Lotion, SPF 50
3. Pure Sun Defense, by Disney, SPF 50
4. Coppertone Water Babies
5. Coppertone Ultra Guard
6. Equate Ultra Protection Broad Spectrum
7. Ocean Potion Protect and Nourish SPF 30
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