Choosing the Best Sunscreen for Your Skin

You’ve heard that protecting yourself from the sun is paramount for skin health, but how do you choose a sunscreen that delivers adequate protection? Read on.

May marks National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, a reminder to prioritize sun protection, especially in anticipation of another sunny Texas summer. But the risks of sun damage are present all year long, and so is your need for protection.

Repeated exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause premature aging or skin cancer, even when it’s cloudy. It may sound tedious, but using sunscreen daily is the easiest way to stay safe.

The team here at Limmer Dermatology in San Antonio, Texas, can help you find a product that not only protects but feels and looks great on your skin, so you can look forward to applying (and re-applying) your daily SPF.

What to look for in a sunscreen

There are two main factors to consider when choosing a sunscreen. The first is adequate sun protection. Make sure the label says your sunscreen offers broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. We recommend a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.

The other key is finding a formula that works on your skin type and tone without causing discomfort. Sunscreen is pointless if it sits on your shelf, unused. Find a product that feels and looks good on your skin.

Chemical vs. mineral filters

Sunscreen falls into two main categories: chemical and mineral. These refer to the source of the ingredients in your sunscreen, which may be entirely chemical, entirely mineral, or a hybrid.

Mineral sunscreen, sometimes called physical sunscreen, uses mineral-based filters that physically block UV rays from penetrating your skin. These filters may be zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or a combination.

Chemical sunscreen uses filters that protect against sun damage by absorbing the UV rays before they penetrate your skin. Chemical SPF active ingredients include oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate.

Whether a physical, chemical, or hybrid sunscreen is best for you depends on your skin type. Mineral sunscreens are well-tolerated for sensitive skin types but can create a white cast on the skin that some don’t enjoy.

Chemical sunscreens have the advantage of invisibility, offering sun protection without creating this white cast on your skin. That’s particularly helpful if you have a darker skin tone and the white cast from mineral sunscreens is more noticeable.

However, chemical sunscreens can irritate sensitive skin. To determine if a formula works for you, we recommend doing a patch test before using a product all over your face and body.

If you have sensitive skin, but the idea of a white cast bothers you, there are other options. For example, tinted mineral sunscreens can help offset the white cast.

Hybrid formulas can be the best of both worlds, using fewer potentially sensitizing filters but reducing the white cast of mineral filters.

Our recommendations

At Limmer Dermatology, we carry our own skin care line called LimmerRx to be a one-stop shop for our patients looking to enjoy the best skin of their lives. We carry several formulas to meet your skin’s unique needs.

Summer is just around the corner. If you’d like additional recommendations or to learn more about how best to prevent skin cancer and premature aging, our providers are here to help. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by phone or online today.