Pocket Change - Shopping Blog

It’s summertime!  Across the country kids are out of schools and people are taking time off to go on vacations. Be sure to check out our Vacation and Staycation page for great ideas on how to make the most of your summer. But whether you’re going to the beach, sightseeing around town or just hanging out in your back yard the one essential everyone needs sunscreen. I don’t know if it’s my trendsetting skills or my year-round porcelain (not pastey!) white complexion but I always seem to get comments along the lines of “Wow you are so white! What kind of sunscreen do you use?” So from my years of applying sunscreen daily (yes, daily), I’m here to share with you a few tips about sunscreen.

The sunscreen aisle is no walk in the park with all the different varieties and types, so how do you choose the right kind of sunscreen for you?  Here’s are a few things to consider.

Spray or Lotion: Up until a few years ago the only option people had were sunscreen/sunblock lotion. Sunscreen manufacturers have added the ease factor of putting on sunscreen by creating a no-rub sunscreen spray. But does it really work?  For parents, the continuous spray sunscreen makes it easy and quick to apply sunscreen on their kids. It’s no longer a long process of rubbing in sunscreen lotion. Spray on sunscreens are also less likely to rub off with a towel. All of the major sunscreen makers such as Coppertone, Banana Boat, and Neutrogena.

Depending on the length of time you plan to spend outdoors and how hot it is, a Sport sunscreen may be a good option.  Sport sunscreen comes in multiple forms, is non-greasy and is sweatproof, a key factor in the hot summer months. Sport sunscreen can also be waterproof Whether you’re on the tennis court or in the pool, sport sunscreen is key. My personal favorite is Neutrogena Ultimate Sport,it comes in spray and lotion as well as a special formula just for your face. It smells good too.

Back in the day the highest SPF you could buy was 50 but today sunscreens go as high as SPF 100. So what’s changed? Not much is the answer. A jump from SPF 45 to SPF 100 does not mean you’re being protected twice as much. A sunscreen with an SPF of 45 means that it blocks 97% of UVB rays while a sunscreen with an SPF of 100 blocks 98%. There is no sunscreen on the market that blocks against 100% UVB rays. So why buy SPF 100?  If you’re like and avoid the sun with the long-term goal of not getting wrinkles when you’re older, applying SPF 100 on a regular basis helps against sun damage over the years to come.  UVB rays are not the only rays you need to be weary of when you’re having fun in the sun. UVA rays are also harmful to the skin as they are able to reach deeper layers. It is important to find sunscreen that also protects against UVA rays.  My personal favorite that I’ve been using for as long as I can remember is Coppertone Water Babies, it is excellent in protecting against UVA and UVB rays. My other personal favorite for everyday use is Neutrogena’s Ultra-Sheer Sunblock, it goes on light and offers great protection.

So lather on the sunscreen and get out and enjoy the summer!

-Justine