The Sunscreen 411!

image courtesy of artur84/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Selecting the right sunscreen can be the difference between enjoying some fun in the sun and suffering a painful burn.  While no sunscreen protects you completely, when used properly, a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more can significantly reduce your chance of burns. When selecting a product, keep in mind that the higher the SPF, the better the protection (thought the higher you go, the smaller the difference becomes.) According to the American Academy of Dermatology, SPF 15 sunscreens filter out approximately 93% of UVB rays, while SPF 30 sunscreens filter out around 97%, and SPF 50 sunscreens filter 98%.  For a comprehensive sunscreen review, check out EWG's Sunscreen Guide (2013 will be available in May); their site also features an excellent page on Sun Safety Tips!

Great tip: attach a clippable timer to your beach bag and set it to give you a reminder when you need to reapply!