Mistake: Not wearing a high enough SPF while outdoors
Solution: The short answer is, if you are going to be at the beach or pool, wear a waterproof/sweatproof SPF 30. "No city sunscreen for sport and sweating," says Jailman. This is especially critical if you burn easily or have skin issues like hyperpigmentation or a history of skin cancer. And if you want to wear a lower SPF, just be sure to apply it more often.
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Mistake: Not applying often enough
Solution: Here are Dr. Evans' rules for how often to apply SPF if you're going to be outside all day (at the beach, hiking or the like): If you're fair, apply sunscreen every two hours; if you're more olive, every three or four hours; if you're darker, three times a day. And all skin tones should apply more often if you're in and out of the water.
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Mistake: Neglecting to wear sunscreen in the winter while driving or working indoors
Solution: Many of the skin cancer cases that Evans has seen are on the left side of the body (hint: your arm is exposed when you drive). Her solution? "Get chauffeured!" Kidding (though wouldn't that be nice?). To be on the safe side, she suggests wearing SPF every day. For example, if you're in New York and it's winter, you should still wear an SPF 15 on your face, says Evans. If you loathe sunscreen in a lotion form because it makes your face feel oily, try a powder sunscreen like Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45, $30. It's water- and sweat-proof, says Jailman. Plus, it adds a little color to your complexion and is great for acne-prone skin.
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Mistake: Using a sunscreen that blocks only UVB rays
Solution: Use a sunblock that contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which block UVB and UVA rays, says Evans. (Note: UVA rays can yield sun damage and/or lead to skin cancer). Try Kids Sport Sunscreen, $15.97.
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Mistake: Using a sunscreen that landed in your medicine cabinet circa '99
Solution: Make sure your sunscreen is not expired, says Evans. Jailman recommends writing a date on the bottle (if it doesn't already note one) when you buy it, and then tossing it after one year has passed. She adds that if it's a chemical-based sunscreen (as opposed to a physical sunblock -- that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) it can decompose, so make sure not to leave it outside in direct sunlight.
Raise your hand if you've ever gotten an embarrassing, lobster-like sunburn or a dorky farmer's tan. Yup, us too. What about having tanorexic tendencies by soaking up the sun any chance you get and/or hitting up the tanning bed for that insta-bronze and rush of endorphins? Check. Or what about arduously applying sunscreen, but missing that big patch on your upper back, the tops of your feet or your scalp? Check. If you're guilty as charged to some of these sunscreen offenses, then let's get with it already and make healthy skin a priority.
Expert dermatologists Dr. Linda Evans and Dr. Debra Jailman set the record straight about some of the many sunscreen misconceptions out there. And here they offer up solutions to the mistakes you might be making by clarifying things like how much sunscreen you should use and how often to apply it, and they suggest winning skin care products that'll prevent sun damage -- since it's not healthy or pretty. Case in point: Evans said that she has a few patients who are older nuns (yes, nuns see dermatologists too) and they have minimal skin damage (thanks to years wearing habits and never exposing their bodies). On the other hand, her patients who worship the sun have skin with way more free-radical damage and consequently look a lot older. While we're not suggesting that you need to take vows of poverty, chastity and service and never wear a bikini again to keep your skin safe -- we are saying it might be time to stop making these common sunscreen mistakes that can damage your skin for good.
