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By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

The summer months are always super fun, as there is no school during the week, vacations are planned, and overall, there is just much more leisure time to enjoy. But, along with these relaxed summer months comes intense sunshine and heat, which means that sunscreen is a must for many people. Here are a few tips on how to choose the best and most effective sunscreen to slather yourself with!

Before choosing the best sunscreen for your skin, it’s important to know just how sunscreen actually works to protect your skin from the sun’s rays. According to the Cleveland Clinic, active ingredients in sunscreen filter ultra-violet light before it can penetrate your skin. Some active ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium oxide act as a reflector that makes UV rays bounce off your skin, while other chemical-based ingredients soak into your skin and help to keep the absorbed sun rays from causing any damage.

When it comes to choosing the best sunscreen to use, Dr. Melissa Piliang, there are two things to look at on the bottle. First, you want to choose one that has a high SPF number, at least a 15, as the SPF is what protects you from UVB rays, which are the main cause of sunburn. But you also need something to protect your skin from UVA rays, which cause skin cancer and other damage. To protect against UVA rays as well, look for a sunscreen that says “broad spectrum” on the bottle, as this means that it protects against both kinds of sun rays.

A few other tips that Dr. Piliang gives when it comes to sunscreen is to let it soak in for about 30 minutes, to reapply every two hours, and to take advantage of other sun protection such as hats or umbrellas!

So, protect your skin this summer while you’re enjoying all the activities these months have to offer!!!

For more articles about summer recipes, summer activities, and more, check out the Fill Your Plate blog!