Best sunscreen if you're outdoors this summer

Ready for a scary story? In a recent test by Consumer Reports, more than a third of the sunscreens they rated didn't live up to expectations. It turns out that there are many sunscreens out there that claim to offer protection from the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays, but don't actually meet the claims on their packaging. Even though a huge number of sunscreens do not provide adequate protection as advertised, there are formulas that get high marks year after year. La Roche-Posay's Anthelios 60 Sun Milk Melting Milk was rated by Consumer Reports as the number one with the highest score for a year in a row. Just in time for summer, we're sharing the details of this star-studded sunscreen!

WHAT IS SPF?

SPF (or sun protection factor) is the amount of time you can spend outdoors without getting sunburned. “Let’s say if you go outside and blush for ten minutes, well, when I give you sunscreen, multiply that number by the normal time you burned out, and that’s how long it should work,” says the doctor. , Lisa Jeanne, Certified Dermatologist and Skincare.com Consultant. “We used to recommend a minimum SPF of 15, but then the American Academy of Dermatology started recommending 30. SPF 30 is the base, and the difference between SPF 8 and SPF 30 is huge. However, if you lead an active lifestyle, I would recommend SPF 50+. Apply first thing in the morning, try to avoid the sun when it's at its peak from 11am to 3pm, and then reapply sunscreen."

WHEN CLAIMS SHOULD NOT

Dr. Ginn offers a quick warning when you're looking at products that claim to have a very high SPF—read: SPF over 100. "The chemicals in these products to get those high, high readings aren't necessarily good." she says. Plus, it often also leads many of us to believe that we can stay outside for longer without reapplying, despite instructions that say sunscreen - and a full glass at that - needs to be reapplied every two hours to stay on. efficient.

A SUN CREAM THAT DOES ITS PROTECTION PROMISE: LA ROCHE POSAY ANTHELIOS 60 MELTING SUN PROTECTION MILK

Looking for a highly rated sunscreen? In the aforementioned Consumer Reports* test, one of the best sunscreens was one of our favorites here at Skincare.com: La Roche-Posay's Anthelios 60 Melt-In Sunscreen Milk. This fast-absorbing SPF 60 sunscreen received a perfect score for the fourth year in a row. The sunscreen is formulated with proprietary Cell-Ox Shield technology that delivers an optimized combination of UVA/UVB filters and an antioxidant complex for broad spectrum protection. Moreover, the formula provides velvety skin, water resistance up to 80 minutes and is suitable for all skin types of the face and body.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Melting Milk Sun Milk, MSRP $35.99.