what spf sunscreen should i use

Dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection (protects against UVA and UVB rays), has an SPF of 30 or higher, and is water-resistant. An SPF of 30 blocks 97% of the suns UVB rays, while higher-number SPFs block slightly more of the suns UVB rays. However, it is important to note that products with very high SPFs often create a false sense of security, and people who use them tend to stay out in the sun much longer, skip reapplying, and think they don’t need to seek shade, wear a hat or cover up with clothing, which defeats the purpose. Therefore, it is recommended to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply it every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating. It is also important to choose a sunscreen that is free of oxybenzone, a compound linked to hormone disruption and cell damage that may lead to skin cancer despite offering effective broad-spectrum protection, and retinyl palmitate, a type of vitamin A that may increase your risk of skin cancer, based on reports done on laboratory mice.