As much as we love to be tan, we all want to protect our skin, and our children’s skin form the harmful rays of the sun. There are plenty of different types of sunblock available to purchase, but what do we need to be looking for on the label while we’re shopping? We’ve got you covered with some useful tips courtesy of Health Canada on what features to watch for.
Choose a sunscreen with the following features:
- Look for a broad-spectrum that protects against both UVA and UVB rays
- Has and of SPF 30 or greater
- Is water resistant
- Lastly, be sure to check the expiry date on the package.
Once you’ve chosen the right product for you and your family, here are a few more tips for use:
- Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside
- Re-apply every 2 hours or more often, especially if swimming, towelling off, or sweating heavily
- Use a wide-brimmed hat
- Use loose, lightweight clothing
- Keep babies out of the heat and direct sunlight whenever possible.
- Ask a health professional about using sunscreen on babies less than 6 months old
- Keep babies well hydrated
- Consider testing your sunscreen on a small patch of skin
Not all products will work for everyone’s skin, so watch out for reactions. If your skin develops a rash, becomes itchy, or otherwise reacts:
- Stop using the product
- Talk to your health professional if you have questions or concerns, or
- Choose a product with different ingredients
Wondering how much to apply? For an adult, use about 7 tsp for the entire body, and 1 tsp for the face and neck, each arm and leg, your front or your back.
Be sure to remember often missed areas like tops of ears, nose, shoulders, feet, scalp (if hair-challenged), and use a sunscreen lip balm to protect your lips, too.
When you are ready to shop for the sunscreen you will use for your family, be sure to speak to the skincare specialists at the Beauty Boutique inside Shopper’s Drug Mart to get all your questions answered.
Thank you to Canada.ca for these valuable tips