Disclaimer: The following information is meant for educational purposes only. In order to determine what will be the best approach for your sun protection needs please discuss this with your physician or healthcare provider.

10 Things to consider when you are preparing for a fun day in the sun:
1. How much and what time will you be in the sun?
While it's best to limit sun exposure to protect your skin, this isn't always practical or enjoyable. Therefore, preparation is key. The sun's intensity is highest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Why is this? Well at midday (noon) the sun is overhead and the distance the solar radiation travels through the atmosphere to us on the ground is much less than when the sun is setting or rising. As the sun rises until about 10 a.m. and starts to set after 4 p.m., the distance the solar radiation travels increases significantly. So try and limit your sun exposure from 10am-4pm.
2. Will you be swimming or engaging in activities that cause sweating?
This is important to consider because some sunscreens are not effective in water. If you plan on swimming or sweating, choose:
  • Water-Resistant Sunscreen: Select a sunscreen labeled as water-resistant. Look for "water-resistant (40 minutes)" or "very water-resistant (80 minutes)" on the label to ensure it lasts through swimming and sweating.
  • Key Ingredients: Opt for sunscreens containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for broad-spectrum protection. Ensure the sunscreen is labeled as reef-safe to protect marine life.


3. Where will you be spending your day of fun in the sun?
Are you going to be swimming? If so, where? (e.g., a pool or in the ocean around coral reefs)

Select a sunscreen that is appropriate for your swimming location. If you will be swimming among sea creatures and coral reefs, consider the following:

  • Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Protect ocean ecosystems by using reef-safe sunscreens free of chemicals harmful to coral reefs and marine life.
  • Ingredients to Avoid: Steer clear of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are known to cause coral bleaching and harm marine life.
  • Recommended Ingredients: Choose sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Are you going to be on the snow, sand, or in the water? If so, BE AWARE that the sun’s rays reflect off these surfaces, intensifying your exposure. According to the World Health Organization, snow reflects up to 80% of UV rays, sand reflects about 15%, and sea foam reflects about 25%.


4. What physical barriers should you consider?
  • Wear clothing made of fabric that is rated UPF 50+ to block UV radiation from reaching your skin as this ensures that the fabric provides as much protection as SPF 50
  • Wear a wide brimmed hat BUT make sure the fabric is rated UPF50+ as this ensures that the fabric provides as much protection as SPF 50
  • Don't forget eye protection, talk with and always follow your doctor/eye doctor's recommendation for skin and eye protection. Some things to consider when selecting eye protection is to look for sunglasses with  100 percent UVA- and UVB- absorbent protection, or UV 400
  • Spending the day outdoors? Look for a canopy like the ones sold by SunNinja. They are easy to transport and are engineered using UPF 50+ materials to provide protection comparable to  SPF 50 sunscreen.


5. Which Sunscreen will you use for your family and yourself?
As parents we are always concerned about which products are safe to use on our children.  Consider asking your child's pediatrician, reading your sunscreen label and/or contacting the sunscreen manufacturer to see if their sunscreen is safe for your child.  Ask your pediatrician at what age it safe for your child to be in the sun and ask them about their recommendations for how to protect your children when planning your day of fun in the sun. 
Another resource to educate yourself on ingredients found in sunscreens is the Environmental Working Group or EWG: Your Guide to Sunscreens and the American Academy of Dermatology.


6. Know what forms of solar radiation your sunscreen protect against?
When looking at the different forms of solar radiation most of us know about UV-A, UV-B, there is also UV-C which is thankfully blocked by the ozone layer, and IR-A and High Energy Visible Light which have recently gained attention as exposures we should consider limiting or protect ourselves from.


7. What does SPF mean?
Unfortunately in the USA our sunscreens use the SPF or Sun Protection Factor which is a measure of how well the sunscreen you are using protects you from UV-B radiation only. The way it works is that if you were to go outside without sunscreen you sunburn in minutes, lets arbitrarily say 20 minutes. If you were to wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 then it would take 30 times longer for you to develop a sunburn... but there is a catch! 
                                                 30x20minutes = 600 minutes or 10 hours
No sunscreen lasts this long after one application.  Sunscreens must be re-applied, most have a re-application time of 90-120 minutes.  So make sure you always follow the directions on your sunscreen for re-application times and how much to apply.  SPF30 is designed to protect you for 30x longer IF you are using/reapplying it appropriately.


8. How often and in what circumstances do I need to re-apply sunscreen?
As mentioned in the previous section this varies. Know that you have to reapply it, and know that sweating and going in the water can affect the sunscreen's ability to provide protection as some sunscreens are not designed for use if going in the water or when users sweat.  So for now make sure you read the directions on the sunscreen and if going in the water or anticipate sweating then make sure select a sunscreen that will work.  In addition, in order for the sunscreen to be effective most sunscreens require application about 30 minutes BEFORE first going out into the sun. Last set an alarm for reapplication times so you don't forget.


9. How much sunscreen do I apply at a time?
This varies too but a general rule of thumb is 1 shot glass or 1 ounce of sunscreen for the entire body given a normal height and weight/surface area.
  • For just your face you should apply around 0.04 ounces or 1/3 of a teaspoon. The head and neck make up 4% of your body surface area so 0.04 x 1 ounce= 0.04 ounces.
  • Don't forget sun protection for your: ears, the front and back of the neck, and while you absolutely should put sunscreen on your scalp/top of your head make sure you use a sunscreen for this purpose or wear a hat with UPF 50+
  • Don't forget about sun protection for your lips using lipstick or lip balm with SPF protection
  • Don't forget sun protection for your feet


10. What is in my sunscreen?
Mineral/Physical Sunscreens will have active ingredient of either Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide and are classified as "Safe and Effective" by the FDA. These sunscreens act as a shield blocking UV radiation.  If it doesn't list Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide then it is not a mineral or physical sunscreen. NOTE some sunscreens combine mineral/physical sunscreen ingredients with chemical sunscreen ingredients.
  • Zinc Oxide:
    • Protection: UVA, UVB, HEV light.
    • Note: Does not block IR-A radiation.
  • Titanium Dioxide:
    • Protection: UVB, some UVA.
    • Cost: Generally cheaper than zinc oxide.
  • Fernblock (Polypodium Leucotomos Extract):
    • Protection: UVA, UVB, HEV light, antioxidant protection against IR-A.
    • Benefits: High concentration of phenolic compounds provides additional skin benefits.
  • Iron Oxide:
    • Protection: HEV light.
    • Use: Often combined with other ingredients for comprehensive protection.
Chemical Sunscreens on the other hand act as a sponge, converting UV radiation to heat before it reaches your skin.

Educate yourself on what, if any effects these ingredients can have on your health and in what concentrations. Consider starting with the American Academy of Dermatology

As the American Academy of Dermatology points out, the FDA is responsible for regulating what is found in our over the counter products.  Product ingredients can fall into a category known as Generally Regarded As Safe and Effective (GRASE). Products manufactured with GRASE ingredients do not need to go through an FDA approval process. Currently the FDA is calling for more data on 7 ingredients commonly used in chemical sunscreen currently classified as GRASE to determine if they can remain classified as such:

  • Ingredients commonly used in the U.S.: Avobenzone, Ensulizole, Homosalate, Octinoxate, Octisalate, Octocrylene,  Oxybenzone
  • There are 5 more ingredients not commonly used in the US that are also being reviewed. These include: Cinoxate, Dioxybenzone, Meradimate, Padimate O, Sulisobenzone.

We generally recommend mineral based products that offer comprehensive protection whenever possible, we understand that this may not always be available and while we try to limit chemical sunscreen use we never go out in the sun with out some form of sun protection and we always look for sunscreens that provide coverage from UVA, UVB, IR-A and HEV.

For optimal sun protection, especially if you have specific activities planned consider the following:
  • Select Sunscreens with Ingredients that Provide Broad Coverage or Sunscreens with a Combination of Ingredients to Achieve Broad Coverage:
    • Zinc Oxide:
      • Protection: UVA, UVB, HEV light.
      • Note: Does not block IR-A.
    • Titanium Dioxide:
      • Protection: UVB, some UVA.
      • Cost: Generally cheaper than zinc oxide.
    • Fernblock (Polypodium Leucotomos Extract):
      • Protection: UVA, UVB, HEV light, antioxidant protection against IR-A.
      • Benefits: High concentration of phenolic compounds provides additional skin benefits.
    • Iron Oxide:
      • Protection: HEV light.
      • Use: Often combined with other ingredients for comprehensive protection.
  • Environmental Responsibility: Opt for reef-safe products if you'll be swimming in the ocean while wearing sunscreen.
  • Make sure you select water resistant if you will be swimming and/or sweating
  • Regular Reapplication: Reapply sunscreen as directed (usually every two hours and usually more frequently if swimming or sweating)