Know Your Sunscreen
Physical blocks and chemical blocks protect your skin in different ways. Learn what works for you.
Olessa Pindak
WHEN THOSE first
rays of warm summer
sun hit our
skin—before the muggy humidity
kicks in—it's hard to resist
soaking it up for hours.
But basking can quickly
become baking, and the next
thing you're dealing with is sunburn,
wrinkles, or an increased risk
of several skin cancers.
We turned to natural skincare
experts for advice on safeguarding
your skin all summer long.
Cover your skin
The best way to guard your skin is to shield it from the sun.
Wear wide–brimmed hats, sunglasses, and sun–protective clothing. When you swim, wear a wetsuit, advises Alan Dattner, M.D., a holistic dermatologist in New York. And, if possible, stay out of the midday sun.
Eat more brightly colored fruits and vegetables and drink green tea. High in antioxidants, they can help your skin repair sun damage and fight potentially cancer–causing free radicals, says Dattner.
Apply an effective sunscreen. Whenever your skin is exposed, slather on a lotion high in SPF.
Read labels
Not all sunscreens are alike. It helps to understand the ingredients and know which rays they'll protect you from.
PHYSICAL BLOCKERS
Minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are used in physical blocks, which provide the most comprehensive coverage: They sit on top of your skin and reflect the rays of the sun, shielding what's underneath, explains Kenneth Beer, M.D., a dermatologist in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Cover your skin
The best way to guard your skin is to shield it from the sun.
Wear wide–brimmed hats, sunglasses, and sun–protective clothing. When you swim, wear a wetsuit, advises Alan Dattner, M.D., a holistic dermatologist in New York. And, if possible, stay out of the midday sun.
Eat more brightly colored fruits and vegetables and drink green tea. High in antioxidants, they can help your skin repair sun damage and fight potentially cancer–causing free radicals, says Dattner.
Apply an effective sunscreen. Whenever your skin is exposed, slather on a lotion high in SPF.
Read labels
Not all sunscreens are alike. It helps to understand the ingredients and know which rays they'll protect you from.
PHYSICAL BLOCKERS
Minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are used in physical blocks, which provide the most comprehensive coverage: They sit on top of your skin and reflect the rays of the sun, shielding what's underneath, explains Kenneth Beer, M.D., a dermatologist in West Palm Beach, Fla.
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