Shopping for sunscreen? Read about types and other must-know topics in our sunscreen buying guide to make an informed choice.
And one product came out on top for the fourth year in a row.
By De Elizabeth, Teen Vogue
When it comes to picking out a sunscreen
for a beach day, there are so many choices out there that it can
sometimes be super-overwhelming. And while many factors come together in
order to determine what constitutes a "good sunscreen," there are some ways to narrow down the selection.
As noted by Byrdie, Consumer Reports
recently released their annual sunscreen guide, where they tested over
70 products for effective protection against UVA and UVB rays. According
to their findings, only one product came away with a perfect score (for
the fourth year in a row, making it a serious winner). The lucky
victor? La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Melt-In Sunscreen Milk, which costs $35.99 for a 150ml tube. The sunscreen, which boasts an SPF of 60 and a non-greasy, water-resistant texture, contains avobenzone, and Consumer Reports determined that this ingredient was most helpful at combatting harmful rays from the sun.
In addition to their top product, Consumer Reports released another important tidbit that you might want to keep in mind next time you're shopping at the drugstore. According to their findings, 24 of the sunscreens they tested actually seemed to be working at less than half
of the SPF number on the label. As their report noted, "That doesn't
mean the products aren't protective at all, but you may not be getting
the degree of protection you think you are." It's also worth remembering
that the American Academy of Dermatology recommends always using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, no matter what.
Other
crucial tips from their study? Always shake your sunscreen before using
it (the motion reportedly helps distribute the active ingredients),
apply the product on at least 15-30 minutes before going outside, and
think twice before using a spray sunscreen instead of a lotion. But the
most important takeaway of all? Just don't forget to wear your sunscreen
— period.
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