Sunscreen

Published: 06/24/2025

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, sunscreen is an important part of a complete sun protection strategy. They recommend that men, women, and children over six months of age use sunscreen every day. This includes people that tan easily, as damage by sun exposure happens over a lifetime, whether you burn or not.
Sunscreens are available in the form of lotions, creams, ointments, gels, sprays, wipes, and lip balms. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and consider these tips:

Select a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.

Discard expired sunscreen because it will not adequately protect your skin. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that sunscreen maintain its original strength for at least three years. If your sunscreen doesn’t have an expiration date, use a marker to indicate the date on which it was purchased.

Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.

Protect sunscreen containers from excessive heat and direct sun. Wrap containers in towels or keep them in the shade while outside for long periods of time.

Use enough to cover your entire face and body, paying close attention to your scalp (including hairline), face, lips, ears, neck, arms, and other areas not covered by clothing. The average person needs at least one ounce of sunscreen to evenly cover the body.