Obviously the best protection against the sun’s potentially harmful UV rays is to remain in the shade – beneath trees, under parasols or big floppy hats, even long sleeves and pants. However if you should find yourself unable to remain fully shaded, the next best option is to slather your exposed skin in sunscreen.

But how do we choose the appropriate sunscreen?

Here are some tips to keep in mind when searching for the best sunscreen options for you:

1)      Don’t trust the SPF value implicitly! Evidence has shown that the greater the SPF value does not equate to extended UV protection. Typically an SPF value around 20 to 30 is the maximum achievable, despite the number printed on the tube packaging.

2)      Your sunscreen should offer Broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

3)      Avoid sunscreens containing oxybenzone or Vitamin A (retinyl palmitate) as these chemicals have been linked to accelerated development of skin tumors and lesions. You should also avoid any added insect repellent – apply insect repellent separately, before applying sunscreen.

4)      Look for active ingredients zinc, titanium, avobenzone or Mexoryl SX. These substances protect skin from harmful UVA radiation and remain on the skin, with little if any penetrating into the body.

5)      Choose creams over sprays or powders – Sprays and powders cloud the air with tiny particles of sunscreen that may not be safe to breathe.

Below is a list of several sunscreens to choose from in our Health and Beauty department, listed in descending order of most to least recommended, based upon a comparison of their full spectrum UV protection and the potential hazards posed by any chemicals contained within the sunscreen mixture.

Regardless of the sunscreen chosen, remember to reapply sunscreen often because sunscreen chemicals break apart in the sun, wash off and rub off on towels and clothing.

Please also check out http://www.ewg.org/ for a thorough analysis and comparison of all sunscreens on the market in general. And keep in mind, the best sunscreen is an actual screen – hit the shade folks, whenever you can. But if we must dally about in the sun’s rays, then grab a tube of any of the above mentioned sunscreens and feel that much more secure.