Here's Why You Need Sun Protection All Year Long

Most dermatologists, as well as the AAD and the Skin Cancer Foundation, recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day on exposed areas. (Sarkar advises patients who are at high risk or have a history of skin cancer to use an SPF of 50.)

SPF stands for sun protection factor. It's a measure of how long a sunscreen will keep your skin protected from UVB rays. Let's say you usually burn in 10 minutes: That means an SPF 30 will protect you for 30 times longer. So that's about 300 minutes, or five hours. But because you're probably moving around and sweating throughout the day, experts recommend reapplying every two hours.

Because SPF only shields against UVB rays, it's important to use a sunscreen that's broad-spectrum, because that means it offers UVA protection as well. Think of broad-spectrum sunscreen as the ultimate anti-aging tool in your arsenal. "Sunscreen has earned its place as the most effective anti-aging product because it's always easier to prevent signs of aging than to treat them," says Joel Schlessinger, MD, dermatologist and RealSelf contributor.

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