Many popular sunscreens don’t measure up to safety guidelines.
A new study published in the American Medical Association’s JAMA Dermatology found that 40 percent of the top-selling sunscreens sold by Amazon.com didn’t meet recommendations set by the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, told The Post four ways you can save your skin this summer.
Take a shot
Zeichner says most of us don’t apply enough sunscreen. He recommends using enough to fill a shot glass for full-body application, a nickel-sized dollop of which should go on your face.
Choose water-resistant
Zeichner says many best-selling sunscreens don’t stand up long against water. Look for products marked as water- or sweat-resistant. The label should tell you when to reapply it — usually, after 40 to 80 minutes.
“Keep in mind these products are water resistant, not waterproof,” Zeichner says. “If you’re swimming, make sure to reapply as soon as you get out of the water.” If you’re sweating excessively, he recommends reapplying sunscreen at least once every 30 minutes.
Look for a broad spectrum formula
Sunscreens marked as broad spectrum help protect you from sunlight’s two harmful rays: UVB, which causes sunburn, and UVA, which penetrates the skin and is associated with aging and skin cancer.
Opt for SPF 30 or higher
Sunscreens with at least SPF 30 will protect you from 97 percent of the sun’s harmful rays, Zeichner says. And while higher SPFs only help screen out rays incrementally — an SPF of 45 provides 98 percent protection — “in reality, most of us don’t put enough sunscreen on,” Zeichner says. “If you start at a higher SPF level, it’s like giving yourself a higher protective base.”