Or, Part 1 of a two-part series lecture affectionately referred to by my family and friends as “Katie’s Sunscreen Soapbox.”
In case the melted lipstick in your car console or the sweat trickling down your perfectly penciled browline didn’t clue you in… it’s summertime. I know what you’re thinking – time to break out the bikini, strut in your fave sandals, twist up your tresses, and slather on your SPF 15…
Uhhhh, no. You were doing great until you got to the SPF 15 part.
Yes ladies, it’s time for my annual lecture on sunscreen. Go ahead and groan now, be my guest. Because while what I have to tell you may not thrill you, it might just save your life. And for added fun, this season (this week, actually) our friends over at the FDA have changed some of the regulations and designations for sunscreen, leaving many people even more confused than ever about what type of sun protection they should purchase. But never fear, my glowing sun worshipers! I’m here to help break it down for you, and to dispel some of the less-than-scientific scare tactics information that you may be hearing and reading about this sunscreen business.
First of all, let’s talk some sun basics.
- UVA Rays – Penetrate deeply, cause wrinkles and premature aging. Also responsible for tanning.
- UVB Rays – Penetrate somewhat more superficially, and are responsible for sunburns.
BOTH types of rays cause the type of damage to the skin that can lead to skin cancer! Here’s where things get tricky:
SPF is a measure of how long it will take for UVB rays to burn you WITH the product on, compared to how long it would take without the product. It is not necessarily a measure of how long you can be in the sun, how much of which rays are being blocked, and it does NOT mean that if you put on two different products (or twice as much product), that you’re doubling your protection factor. You need to consider your skin type, how easily you burn, and your activity while wearing sunscreen.
Luckily the FDA is changing the SPF regulations so that any sunscreen labeled “Broad Spectrum” will mean that it protects against both types of damanging rays, and ONLY sunscreens with Broad Spectrum designation and an SPF of 15 or above can claim that they protect against the risk of skin cancer. The other change that is important to note is that sunscreen manufacturers can no longer claim that their products are “waterproof” or “sweatproof.” They can however label the products “sweat-resistant” or “water-resistant” and note the estimated time that resistance is effective.
For your reading pleasure, the FDA’s recap of sunscreen changes can be found here, along with links to some Q and A about what consumers need to know. Great information. But basically, here’s what it all means for you:
You need to buy Broad Spectrum SPF 15 or above, considering your skin type, activity level and environment, and, yes, your outfit. 
- If you’re fair-skinned, burn easily in less than 15 min without sunscreen, and you’re sweating your toochas off playing beach volleyball in your bikini, go for the Broad Spectrum SPF 50. Our olive-skinned BFFs who are sipping margs and mingling on the covered patio at a backyard BBQ, wearing cute straw hats, gauzy tunics and those oh so chic white shorts…they’re probably safe with BS SPF 20-30 or so. Use your judgement on what you think will protect you best. I personally never bother with anything under SPF 25. Not worth the hassle of reapplying as often as you would need to get proper protection.
You need to use a lot of sunscreen, and use it often.
- A shot-glass is not just for Patron anymore. That’s how much sunscreen you need to apply over the exposed parts of your body and face in order to adequately provide any protection whatsoever. If you’re barely using a quarter-sized dollop of SPF 50, you might as well have just put on SPF 15, and then you’re not even trying.
- Neglect not your neck, the tops AND surfaces of your ears, your lips, and your feet/hands. Nobody likes a girl with flip flop tan lines!
- FDA recommends reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours MINIMUM. If swimming, sweating, or doing body shots (which don’t taste good with a sunscreen chaser anyway), reapply more often. Again, common sense is key. So maybe skip the Mind Erasers.
- With that much application and re-application, yes, you’re going to be greasy. Yes, you’re going to look a little streaky-white until it soaks in. Yes, you’ll be shiny. But I promise, a little bit of a sheen to your skin and the slight stickiness you’ll feel if you’re doing it right are a SMALL price to pay to avoid skin cancer. Just rock the “glowing” look and tell everyone it’s part of your style. You’re more fashionable alive than dead.
You need to apply sunscreen at least 20 min before sun exposure.
- Apply in the morning before you leave the house, and of course reapply at least 20 min before any significant sun exposure like your afternoon jog or happy hour on the patio. The ingredients in sunscreen take time to soak into the skin to achieve maximum effectiveness.
You need to stray from the sun, not seek it.
- Avoid being in the sun between the hours of 10am and 2pm, when the sun’s rays are strongest and most penetrating. (Or if you live in Texas, 9am-4pm!)
- Wear as much protective clothing and accessories as you can tolerate to shield your skin from the sun. Now is the time to convince your significant other that you really needed to buy that hot new Trina Turk tunic and Anne Moore broad brim hat…
So there you have it. Please do your skin a favor and wear your broad spectrum sunscreen every day, all day! I know it’s one extra thing to add to your daily routine in a world where we all are feeling pressed for time. I know it’s not the most fun thing you can put on in the morning. But if you do it right after your morning shower, then it is easy to turn this into a morning ritual. A ritual that will, in the long run, give you more time to enjoy life…and look great doing it.
-xoxo, Modern Muse Katie
Remember, Ladies: The only safe way to tan is not to tan at all! But if you can’t bear to bare your lily white legs in public, contact me for a custom Airbrush Tan! 30 minutes in the privacy of your home, and you can look like you just got back from St. Barts – without the UV damage!
