How to Choose a Sunscreen

Geezer often wonders how simple things became so complicated. Take buying sunscreen. Once upon a time, the wife ran into the drug store for sunscreen while you ran into the package store for beer, then you were off to the beach. Not any more. The new way to buy sunscreen, presented here, comes to us from the Boston Globe.
Read the label before you buy. The SPF number is an indication of
protection against UVB rays only. Sunscreen products labeled
"broad-spectrum" protect against UVA and UVB radiation, but there is no
standard system for measuring UVA protection.  Next, look at the ingredients. Products with an SPF of 15 or higher that
contain avobenzone (Parsol 1789 ), zinc oxide , or titanium dioxide are
likely to be effective against the entire spectrum of UVA rays. Also, check  the  expiration date: Most sunscreens expire within two to three years. Choose an SPF of at least 15. The SPF represents the level
of sunburn protection provided by the sunscreen. SPF 4 blocks out 75
percent of burning UV rays, while SPF 30 blocks out 97 percent. The FDA
is reviewing ways to measure how much UVA protection sunscreens provide.
Wait, there’s more. Apply it correctly: The average person is supposed to apply an amount of sunscreen equal to the size of a golf ball. When
using SPF 15 correctly, you will get the equivalent of one minute of UV
rays each 15 minutes you spend in the sun. So, spending eight hours in
the sun wearing SPF 15 is the same as spending 32 minutes unprotected.  And one more thing: Remember that reflective surfaces like water, snow, and sand increase UV exposure.