Not wearing sunscreen ranks close to smoking cigarettes on the foolish scale. In a nutshell, the sun’s strong UV rays cause skin damage, and in worst-case scenarios, cancer. They also lead to premature aging and wrinkles—fatal or not, that’s something we’d rather live without.
The FDA’s most recent recommendation is that people wear a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15, reapplied every two hours of sun exposure. It also recommends staying out of the sun during the hottest part of the day (from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and covering up exposed areas of the body. Since this isn’t always possible—or preferable—taking the necessary precautions must become a part of your daily routine and incorporating a formula into your morning regimen is key.
Fortunately, finding a 15+ SPF is not a challenge anymore. Most skin-care companies that sell sunblock tout formulas with SPFs of 50 or higher. Of course, this high SPF is especially necessary for the face. And if you’re looking for anti-aging help, you also don’t want to borrow your kids’ sunscreen.