What to look for in your sunscreen.

There are three main properties you should look for in sunscreen.

First: It should be an SPF of 15 or more; 30 is better, but more than 30 doesn't really help much. So save your money on SPF's of 45 and higher.

Second: It should offer broad spectrum protection- make sure it protects your skin from UVA exposure and UVB ultraviolet light.

Third: Opt for formulas which are waterproof and/or sweatproof.

These allow you to move from the pool or ocean to the sun back to the water a bit more easily. They do need to be reapplied every few hours, but will stay put better than the non-waterproof formulas.

Once these factors have been addressed, you can choose the best sunscreen for your skin-type. If you have oily skin, a lighter gel or lotion may suit you better. If you are applying sunscreen to the face, you probably want to use a lotion or cream rather than a gel, which might clog your pores.