How to Choose the Right Sunscreen for Your Skin Type

Knowing which is the best sunscreen for your skin type is more than just grabbing an SPF50 off the shelf of the drug store or clicking a product on Amazon. Sun protection is the numero uno element of skincare that everyone needs to get right, no matter what the time of year, whether it’s hot, cold, cloudy, raining, or whatever…

By far the most important factor, no matter what your skin type, is that the product you use is what’s called “broad spectrum”.  This means that it:

• Provides UVB ray protection: These are the ultraviolet rays that make you go red and burn, causing damage to the most outer layers of the skin.
• Provides UVA ray protection: These are the ones that penetrate much deeper into the skin and are the primary cause of skin aging, such as accelerated wrinkles. It’s also this type that brings the skin cancer danger, as they can alter the DNA deeper in the skin. They are also the main reason you tan and, heads up… When your skin tans, it’s a form of damage to your DNA (hence dermatologists will always recommend the use of a good fake tan product, rather than baking yourself in the sun to obtain that golden glow).

As well as being broad spectrum, your sunscreen should be a minimum of an SPF 30—and an SPF50 or total block if you’re planning on spending a significant amount of time outside. 

The following SPF guide shows why it should never be less than 30:

• SPF 15: Only blocks up to 93% of the sun’s UVB rays.
• SPF 30: Blocks up to 97% of UVB rays.
• SPF 50: Blocks up to 98%.

You can also get SPF50+, which increases the value to 99%. No sunscreen offers 100% blockage.

Note in the SPF guide that this only applies to UVB rays. You must, must, must go for a broad-spectrum option to ensure you’re protected against UVA rays as well.

Choosing the Best Sunscreen for Your Skin Type

While all the above apply to everyone, you should also look for ones that are right for your skin type.

Which is best will depend on how dry or oily your skin is, whether it’s sensitive, whether you tend to sweat a lot (or spend a lot of time in the water), whether you suffer from a skin condition, such as acne, and various other factors.

Consider the following if you:

• Have dry skin: Look for highly moisturizing options, which are often cream-based.
• Have oily skin: Choose an oil-free product. This will help prevent the sunscreen from clogging up your pores. If you suffer from acne, then this is likely to be the best type as well.
• Have sensitive skin: Go for a mineral-based sunscreen. These are organic and provide a physical barrier to the sun’s rays (as opposed to a chemical sunscreen that absorbs them). 

Sweat a lot or enjoy water-based activities: A water-resistant lotion will be more suitable and won’t need re-applying as often as others that will be washed away by moisture.

The best options are generally dermatologist-recommended sunscreens. Not only will skin doctors advise broad spectrum sunscreen, but your personal requirements will also be factored in. This means you’ll be advised to use ones that will actively support your skin’s health and barrier, as well as protect you from harmful rays. They’ll also take the local climate into account. The sunscreen that best suits if you live in one of the southern states may be different from what you need if you’re in the depths of a Minnesota winter, for example.

For further advice on skincare protection in Houston and Texas, visit our Services | Bayou City Dermatology page and call our friendly team today to book an appointment.