While we’re all practicing social distancing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, it’s still important to protect ourselves from harmful UV rays. (Yes, that means wearing sunscreen when you leave the house for essential errands and using SPF while indoors because standard glass still leaves you exposed to some of the sun’s harmful rays.)
Exposure to UV rays can lead to several skin issues like hyperpigmentation, inflammation, fine lines, and — worst-case scenario — skin cancer. Therefore, finding a good sunscreen is a must — and there are several factors that go into what makes a good sunscreen.
First, you’ll want it to be at least SPF 30. New York City-based dermatologist David Colbert previously told Allure that this is what the American Academy of Dermatology recommends because it is clinically proven to be a sufficient amount of protection to reduce the adverse effects of sunlight.
You’ll also want to consider a mineral or “physical” sunscreen. Elizabeth Tanzi, dermatologist and founder and director of Capital Laser & Skin Care in Maryland has told to Allure that these sit on the surface of the skin to deflect the sun’s harmful rays.
Tanzi also recommends applying about a shot glass’s worth for the entire body and a dime-sized dollop for the face, which should be reapplied every two hours.
With those tips in mind, it’s time to start upping your SPF game with some of the most innovative options out there. Long gone are the days when applying sunscreen meant donning a greasy, pore-clogging mask with a side of ashiness and telltale white smears. The next generation of sunscreens not only nixes these common annoyances, but some next-level formulas even impart additional benefits: luminosity, moisture, and a faux glow, to name a few.
So whether you choose a formula with bells and whistles or stick to an improvement on the classics, one thing is for certain: There’s no excuse not to give your skin the protection it needs. Read on for our tried-and-true favorites. We’d go so far as to say that these could actually make you look forward to applying sunscreen.
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