Sunscreen Essentials

It’s officially the start of summer, and for many people that means enjoying as much time in the outdoors as possible. Everyone is aware of the importance of sunscreen, but knowing what’s actually in it, is just as essential. The Environmental Working Group makes this easy by listing the top-rated sunscreens as well as those in the Hall of Shame.

Jersey Shore Style recently tried Sunology, a new sunscreen with no synthetic chemicals or preservatives. Its active ingredients are titanium oxide and zinc oxide, two of the most important ingredients for blocking UVA rays (UVA rays cause cancer; UVB cause sunburn). Sunology is also made without harsh chemicals that may irritate sensitive skin, making it a great sunscreen for nearly all skin types. The lotion tends to separate while in the bottle – but a quick shake cures that. Sunology is available for purchase online or at supermarkets including Pathmark, Shoprite, and A&P, and retails for $14.99; it comes in both regular and children’s formulas.

Remember, though, the best sunscreen is blocking your skin from the sun as often as possible. Wear a classic straw or a white hat on the beach – they’ll never go out of style. We still love our Savannah hat from Coolibar.

Sunglasses are vital for protecting both your eyes and the tender skin around them. Wear a cover-up over your bathing suit when you aren’t swimming. Also, don’t forget lip balm!

Here are some more important sunscreen and sun protection tips:

1. Put on your sunscreen and lip balm at least ½ hour before sun exposure, so it has a chance to soak into your skin.

2. Sunscreen washes off in water (no matter how water resistant it is), breaks down in sunlight, and can be stripped away with a towel. So no matter if you’re swimming or not, reapply your sunscreen as often as possible. Once every two hours is a good rule of thumb.

3. UV rays are strongest between 10 am and 4 pm, so seek shade during these hours!

4. Remember, a cloudy sky doesn’t mean you’re safe and should frolic on the beach with no protection. Clouds are only water, after all, and can’t block UV rays.

5. If you notice yourself getting “a little pink,” get out of the sun. Sunburn can take at least 12 hours to totally manifest itself, so chances are you’re already much more burned than you think you are.

6. Children have delicate skin and are therefore much more susceptible to the sun’s harsh rays. Without protection, children can garner burns in just fifteen minutes of sun exposure. Be sure to reapply vigilantly, especially if your child is doing a lot of running around, sweating, or swimming.