"Even my patients from West Africa who are very dark need sunscreen," says Downie. "The lowest SPF you can wear is 15, which will protect you from 93 percent of the sun's rays." However, Downie still recommends using SPF 30. "You get four percent more protection for the same amount of effort," she says. "You will age slower by wearing 30."
There are plenty of formulas out there specifically designed for people with sensitive skin. "You want a very basic product," explains Gerstner. She suggests avoiding anything that has too many extra ingredients or benefits. However, if you're prone to redness, you may want to try a formula that contains a calming ingredient, like green tea extract.
The new FDA regulations that go into effect at the end of the year will make SPF 50 the highest available. That's because there's only a small difference between SPF 45 and SPF 100 -- and the government doesn't want consumers to have a false sense of protection. However, there is some benefit to opting for a high number of sun protection. "There was a recent study that suggested that since people do not use adequate amounts of sunscreen, those who wear a higher level of SPF are better protected," says Downie. "You have to apply a thick coat, reapply every two hours, and stay in the shade when you can." Regardless of the number on the bottle, you should use a shot-glass-sized amount of sunscreen for your body and a teaspoon for your face every time you apply.
As a beauty editor, I get a lot of questions about sunscreen. "What are the best sunscreens this season?" "Which ones should I keep stashed in my purse, glove box, and desk drawer?" "What's the best sunscreen for oily skin?" "Does organic sunscreen really work?"
I love fielding these questions because I'm admittedly a proud member of the SPF police. When my husband plays golf, I send him a "time to reapply!" text message every two hours. And on more than one occasion, I've launched a friendly attack of continuous-spray SPF 30 on a friend who's fallen asleep at the beach.
And here's the thing: When I get these "Which sunscreen should I use?" questions from family and friends, everyone also says something along the lines of, "I hate sunscreen." And they share all kinds of complaints, like "it's greasy," "there are too many chemicals," "it smells awful," or "it makes my skin look white." I wish I knew of one sunscreen that would be perfect for everyone, but unfortunately I don't think it exists. However, I do strongly believe there is a sunscreen out there for each of us.
So instead of just rounding up the best new SPF's on the market and saying, "pick one of these," I set out to find solutions to specific sunscreen issues. I enrolled the help of two top dermatologists (chiefs in the SPF police force, if you will), and sent them the toughest questions that have come my way. Keep reading to find the best sunscreens based on your specific SPF gripes. And if you're still wondering which sunscreen you should use, leave us a comment. I'll personally chime in and suggest what I think is your best match.
