Our top sunscreen picks
tested by our staff!

SPF 45+ SUNSCREEN:

Hawaiian Tropic Ozone Sport Sunblock 60+ SPF with Bonus Travel Size A durable touch of Hawaiian Tropical, exotic, natural flora and fruit extracts... the Ultimate in Sport Sun Protection and convenience. Cover your bases with Ozone® Sport SPF 60+ Sunblock Lotion. This "Triple Play Action" formula is non-migrating, so it won't run into your eyes, sweatproof, and waterproof.

Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, SPF 45 A great all-over, everyday sunblock -- so absorbent and light you won't even notice it. Contains antioxidants to fight environmental damage, waterproof, sweat-proof, and it won't clog pores.

ProCyte Ti-Silc Sheer Sunblock SPF 45 Helps prevent sunburn. Higher SPF gives more sunburn protection. Retains SPF after 80 minutes of activity in the water or perspiring

SPF 30+ SUNSCREEN:

OBAGI NU-DERM Healthy Skin Protection SPF 35, AM Healthy Skin Protection SPF 35 daily sunscreen provides broad-spectrum sun protection. This ultra-smooth Z-Cote® formula helps prevent sunburn from UVB radiation and protects against long-UVA rays linked to deep premature skin-aging. Apply every morning as part of the Nu-Derm Skin Health Restoration System.

Aveeno Sunblock Lotion, Face, SPF 30 Aveeno® Continuous Protection™ Sunblock Lotion for the face with SPF 30 is formulated specifically for the face and to provide better, longer-lasting sun protection. Unlike ordinary sunscreens, this formula combines a patented sun protection complex, which maintains protection over time against the sun's harmful rays, with natural soy proteins and vitamins A, C and E to help shield your skin from environmental damage.

Bull Frog Quik Gel Sport Spray Sunblock, SPF 36 A revolutionary gel sunblock that goes on quick and dries instantly leaving no visible residue on your hands or skin. Retains SPF after 80 minutes of activity in the water or perspiring

SPF 15+ SUNSCREEN:

Belli Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen SPF 25 is a lightweight broad spectrum tinged facial sunblock that provides special protection against UVA rays, UVB rays and environment pollutants. It can be worn alone or under makeup. Oil free for all skin types. Use daily.

Coppertone Endless Summer Ultrasheer Sunscreen, SPF 15 Provides broad spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection. Contains A0-7™, an antioxidant complex clinically proven to combat harmful free radicals created by sun exposure. Sheer lotion feels like you're not wearing any sunscreen at all.

SPF 8/6/4/2 SUNSCREEN:

Panama Jack Sunscreen Oil SPF 8 The best of Science and Nature featuring the richest tanning oils to promote a gradual, healthy looking tan with sunscreens to provide protection for skin which tends to burn or for extended time in the sun.

Bain de Soleil Mega Tan Sunscreen Lotion With Self Tanner, SPF 4 Get a head-start on a gorgeous tan! This multi-tasker combines temporary self-tanner with a little bit of sunscreen (SPF 4), so you develop deep, luxurious color in just one afternoon.

Banana Boat Ultra Mist Tanning Lotion Spray, SPF 4 Continuous Clear Spray / Coconut Oil / Cocoa Butter Waterproof

Helps Prevent Drying, Peeling, Flaking For a Naturally Dark Tan

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Powerful sunblocks for summer fun at GreatSkin.com

101 easy tips for a great summer!

We all look forward to warmer weather and more sunshine. Who wants to stay inside all the time? Bright, beautiful days should be enjoyed: spending time in the sun is actually important. Sunlight isn't entirely bad, but tanning (and long-term exposure) is; so all you need to do is learn how to protect your skin whenever you're outside.
Problems arise when we spend too much time in the sun without protection. Sunburn is better prevented with sunscreens than treated. But don't forsake the sun altogether! Learn instead how to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays and practice "sun safety" by reading the most extensive collection of sun safety tips available:

Make daily sun protection a habit.
Avoid the strongest sun rays of the day: rest in the shade from 11am to 4pm.
Apply sunscreen about 20 minutes before going outside to allow time for the active ingredients in the sunscreen to reach the protection level so that a good layer of protection can form.
Apply generously – as a guide for an adult use about one teaspoon for each arm and leg and half a teaspoon for the face, ears and neck.
Reapply SPF every 2 hours or at the first sensation of tingling or burning, to compensate for loss due to towel drying, perspiration or swimming. Blowing your nose wipes spf off, too! So just reapply!
When applying suntan lotion, avoid direct contact with the borders of your swimsuit: the oils can cause swimsuits elastics to break down.
SPF makeup loses its ability to completely shield the skin in about 4 hours. So, just like for SPF sunscreen the rules is: reapply!
Don't forget to apply SPF to areas such as the ears, under your nose, behind the knees, behind the back, and the tops of the feet.
Apply a lip balm with at least SPF 15 on your lips. Girls can use a color gloss rather than clear, which will protect your lips even more.
Learn the Shadow Rule - if your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun is at its highest intensity. The American Academy of Dermatology has established the Shadow Rule: No Shadow-Seek Shade.
Sweating make you lose a lot of body fluids. So drink plenty of water (at least eight glasses a day) to avoid heat-related illnesses.
Be aware of the damages caused by the "invisible sun" on cloudy or outcast days: you might be unaware that you're developing a sunburn on cooler because the temperature or breeze keeps skin feeling cool on the surface.
Wearing protective sunglasses will prevent you from having cataract when you grow old.
Don't try to stretch out a bottle of sunscreen; as a guide, apply the sunscreen generously.
Waterproof sunscreens may last up to 80 minutes in the water, and some are also sweat- and rub-proof. But, regardless of the waterproof label, be sure to reapply sunscreen when you come out of the water.
If you can't avoid the sun, you can protect your skin by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt and long pants
Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and long-sleeved, tightly woven clothing. Clothing can physically block out the sun's harmful rays and should be one of the first lines of defense against sun exposure.
Cotton and linen are excellent fabrics for hot weather — wear loose, light-coloured, lightweight, heat-reflecting clothing.
Hold fabric up to a light bulb to assess its protective potential. Material that blocks out the light will also shield you from UV rays. If you can see light through a fabric, UV rays can get through, too.
Use broad-spectrum sunscreens whose active ingredients block UVA and UVB rays.
Limit exposure to reflective surfaces like snow and water. UV rays can be reflected off of sand, tiles, water, snow, and even buildings. Therefore, you must practice all the sun protective behaviors even when you are in the shade.
"Incidental sun exposure" is the sun you get when you do things like drive a car, take a walk, or look out a window. Each exposure contributes to aging, wrinkling, and even skin cancer. So no matter what the season, be aware of your time in the sun.
Keep an extra bottle of sunscreen in the car when travelling. But keep in mind that it can lose its effectiveness if you leave it in a warm place.
Teach your children good sun protection habits at an early age: the damage that leads to adult skin cancers starts in childhood.
Examine your skin head to toe at least once every three months.
When you're on snow or ice, your face and eyes are at almost twice the risk of UV damage because of reflected glare, Double the SPF number you usually use: if you use 20 at the beach, get 40.
If you wear a baseball cap be sure to put sunscreen on your ears, neck, and face.
Plan outdoor activities to avoid the midday sun.
Do not use sunscreens on babies younger than 6 months. Instead, use hats, clothing, and shading to protect small babies from the sun.
Many products claim to be "hypoallergenic" or "dermatologist tested," but the only way to know for sure whether a product will irritate your skin is to apply a small amount to your skin for three days. If your skin does not turn red or become tender and itchy, the product should be okay for you.
Most sunscreen products expire within 2 to 3 years, but you should check the expiration date on the container for the date it becomes ineffective.
Sunscreens may deteriorate if they are left in the sun or with the cap off the container for a long time. Keep them in a cool place, with the cap on.
During valid years, keep SPF products stored in the back of your fridge during fall, winter and spring months, so that next summer they will still be ok.
When spending the day outdoors, find shady, cool places to play, walk, or exercise.
Some medications may increase your sensitivity to sunlight — check with your doctor.
Good sun care includes using after-sun skin care.
Cream-based sunscreens tend to be more resistant to removal by water than alcohol-based products.
Water-resistant products retain their sun protection for at least 40 minutes in water. However, you should be aware that oily products may prevent the evaporation of perspiration, which can increase the risk of over-heating, especially in humid conditions.
People with acne should avoid oil-based products as these could worsen such skin problems.
If you tend to have allergies, use SPF brands designed for sensitive skin to prevent skin irritations.
Sunscreens labelled for babies or toddlers generally have a gentler base and no perfumes, and may be less likely to irritate the skin.
Always use a combination of sun protection methods.
Never rely on sunscreen alone. Prolonged exposure to the sun, even when wearing sunscreen, can cause sunburn.
Children's feet can become burned from walking on very hot sand, roads or paving.
Common sites for skin damage and skin cancer are the neck, ears, temples, lips, nose and face, so these body parts need extra protection.
SPF should only be a guide to the amount of protection a sunscreen can provide. Protection depends on other things such as skin type!
Zinc cream can be used to totally block the sun (it needs to be spread quite thickly). Because it also blocks sweating, it should only be used on small parts of the body (eg the nose and the tops of the ears). It is quite safe used this way.
The long-term side-effects of regular sunscreen use are not yet fully known, but there are so far no signs that they cause problems.
Sun burn needs to be treated like any other burn of the skin. Use water to cool the burnt area (at least 20 minutes under cold running tap water is best).
If you are planning something, a BBQ for example, plan to have it in the late afternoon.
If you are an outdoor worker, rotate shifts or change work times.
Keep all sunblock and sun medications away from your eyes.
Apply sunscreen along your part and hairline, too.
People with thin or thinning hair should apply sunscreen to the scalp as well.
Attention! People have reported getting burnt despite using a sunscreen, but it hasn’t been an SPF problem but rather not enough sunscreen being used!
A tan doesn’t protect you against skin cancer or sunburn. Depending on your skin type, a tan only gives you the same protection as an SPF 2 or 4 sunscreen.
If your sunscreen goes past its use-by date, separates or gets gluggy, throw it out - it may no longer do the job properly. Or you could still use it as a body moisturizers on thick areas like kneews, heel and elbows. But remember it has no sun protection ability any longer.
When it comes to applying sunscreen, as one expert dermatologist put it to us, it’s like painting a wall. If you put one coat on, you’re going to get bare spots - so you’re better off with two.
If you are taking medication it is important that you consult your Doctor concerning the chances of photosensitization occurring.
Be sensible about how much time you spend in the sun.
A sunscreen with SPF 15 or greater should be used all year for all skin types!
Lotions, oils, gels and creams can all be effective sunscreens.
If you develop a rash or other type of allergic response to a sunscreen, try a different brand or form (lotion vs. oil, for example) to see if you can better tolerate it.
Sunscreens containing higher levels of SPF tend to stay on the skin longer. Gels wash off more easily and need to be reapplied more frequently.
Tanning booths uses UVA rays that 20 times stronger than natural sunlight: UVA rays contribute to wrinkling and burning of the skin, as well as to the development of skin cancer.
...stay away from artificial tanning devices.
People who have a high-fat diet also are at greater risk for pre-malignant tumors and skin cancers associated with UV exposure - so eat well!
Eating more foods rich in antioxidants (found in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables) and selenium (in whole wheat flour, mushrooms and tuna).
Check for anything new or a change in the size, texture, or color of existing moles.
Try to schedule outdoor sports before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
Try not to be watching sports events outdoors around midday.
Create more shade in your backyard or garden in order to have more place to stay when being outdoors.
When outdoors, choose shaded areas where you cannot directly see the sun or the open sky.
Read and follow the manufacturer's recommendations on the SPF bottle or tube.
Always test for allergic reaction when first using a sunscreen.
Application of insect repellent may reduce the effectiveness of sunscreen. When sunscreen and insect repellent are used together, cover up and wear a hat to ensure better protection from the sun.
If you have a problem with repeated sunburn of lip, nose or other small area, look for a total sunblock product such as zinc oxide.
Wiping perspiration will wipe off sunscreen. Try to "blot" rather than wipe.
Avoid long exposures to the sun at the start of the spring/summer seasons.
Get used to being in the sun by gradually increasing the amount of time that you spend outdoors over a period of several days.
Drink plenty of fluids to replace body fluids lost due to the heat.
Skiers, hikers, and mountaineers should note that UV radiation increases 4% for every 1000ft. (305m) of elevation.
Avoid straw hats with holes that let sunlight through.
Young women who are pregnant or taking the birth control pill should also be particularly wary of the sun, as unprotected exposure can sometimes cause darker pigmentation on the cheeks and forehead (also known as the "pregnancy mask").
Practicing safe sun precautions needs to become essential to youth to ensure future health.
After sunbathing, if you do have an unusual reaction and can't see your doctor immediately, a cool compress may temporarily soothe the pain or itchiness.
Do not use baby oil as a moisturizer before you go outside! The oil will make the effect of the sun stronger and may cause you to burn faster!
Set a good example. If you practise sensible sun habits, your children will too.
Don't fall asleep laying in the sun. Seek shelter under a tree or a cabana before taking a nap.
Take a shady umbrella with you to the beach or other outdoor activities.
Research shows that sunscreen is most effective when applied liberally and left on the surface of the skin. Do NOT rub it in thoroughly.
Manes that have been chemically treated (permed, relaxed, colored, etc.) can become brassy and brittle with sun exposure. Safeguard your hair by applying a protective oil or conditioner.
Don't shave your legs or bikini line before going to the beach.
As a general rule, drink more green and black teas: certain compounds in tea may act as anti-inflammatories and antioxidants, which help skin cells fend off cancerous changes.
When you're in the throes of a sunbrun, pop an aspirin: it reduces inflammation and that may help save your skin.
Studies show that boosting your fruits and vegetables intake can help protect you against many forms of cancer: so eat more tomatoes and papayas (both contain vitamin C and E); bell peppers, strawberries, and citrus fruits (high in vitamin C); cooked spinach, pumpkin and broccoli (high in vitamin E).
If sunscreen gets in eyes, flush thoroughly with water. If ingested, contact your local hospital emergency or doctors office or poison control centre immediately.
When being at the beac or at the pool, don't lay or sit too long in the same position: get up frequently, take a walk, dom some exercise or aquagym, take a swim. Whatever you do, don't keep your legs still in the sun for too long: it can be dangerous for blood circulation, your veins and arteries.
Parents should encourage their children to:
Slip on clothes made of a close-weave fabric that covers the neck, arms and legs.
Slop on a Sun Protection Factor 30+ water resistant sunscreen.
Slap on a wide brim hat that covers the face, neck and ears.
Always remember to practice the four Sun Guide basics
minimize sun exposure
seek shade
cover up
and use sun screen.
....Don't let vanity ruin your health! Always use sunscreen!

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The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a doubt or problem, see a doctor.