The 10 Best Sunscreens To Apply Everywhere, According To Dermatologists

With the summertime festivities upon us, the use of sunscreen is always a smart recommendation to help ward off skin cancer.

A new report by the Melanoma Research Alliance says more than 96,000 people in the United States are expected to be diagnosed with new melanomas in 2019.

The sun produces two types of ultraviolet rays- UVA and UVB. UVA rays cause premature aging and wrinkles, UVB rays cause damage to the skin’s surface (sunburn); both have the potential to cause skin cancer. Yes, if you have melanin, you too can get skin cancer, and so can our babies. Melanin does not provide full protection from the sun, the SPF for darker skin tones is low, providing minimal protection.

According to the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Caucasian people have a higher incidence of melanoma, but it is deadlier in people of color. African American patients were most likely to be diagnosed with melanoma in later stages, which reduces survival rate (source)

Consider this your official, dermatologist-approved permission to spend time outdoors this summer.

These tips may be extra…but, let’s be honest, so are UV rays. I’m sharing approved SPF options that the pros use as well as avoiding in the sun. Keep in mind, these tips double as the list of reasons why your dermatologist’s skin is so radiant.

1) Apply sunscreen every 2 hours. No, really, Dermatologists do it. One application is not enough if you plan to be in the sun all day.

2) Apply sunscreen BEFORE you plan to be in the sun for activities like the beach, concerts etc. Don’t forget about these areas for the love of your skin …don’t forget: ANY part in your hair (It isn’t safe from the sun rays. Powder can also act as a dry shampoo AND keep hair from getting greasy. Win-win), On the tops of the feet AND on the ears! Use lip balm with SPF to be sure that your lips are protected!

3) Other spots people often miss is the delicate skin on their eyelids and around their brows, along their hairline, under the straps of their bathing suits, and on the back of their necks.

4) Use SPF daily.

Chemicals in “regular” sunscreens are harmful. This isn’t new news, but in case you need a refresher, here’s the brief: some toxins in traditional sun protection, like oxybenzone, can act as hormone disruptors, and according to the EWG, it is a form of synthetic estrogen.

While chemical sunscreens still run the aisle of common drugstores, each year you can see more brands embrace the importance of clean formulas, particularly in sun care.

Here are 10 Sunscreens you NEED to try (BONUS: some of these double as powder makeup. Helpful for touch-ups over makeup throughout the day.)

1) Ulta SPF 50 Sunscreen Rose Water Setting Spray $7.99

2) Supergoop $30

3) Kate Somerville $38

4) Paula’s Choice $23.20

5) Colorscience SPF’s for face & body

6) Cotz Sensitive Non-Tinted SPF 40 (3.5 oz.) $22.99

7) Elta MD UV Replenish Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 (2 oz.) $32.00

8) Drunk Elephant Umbra™ Sheer Physical Daily Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30 $34.0

9) MyChelle Dermaceuticals Sun Shield Liquid Non-Tinted SPF 50 – Non-Tinted (1 fl oz.) $24.00

10) Goddess Garden Organics SPF 30 Sport Natural Mineral Sunscreen Lotion for Sensitive Skin (3.4 oz. Tube) Reef Safe, Water Resistant, Vegan, Leaping Bunny Certified Cruelty-Free, Non-Nano) $11.85

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