Wise use of sunscreen is sensible health care.

When looking to buy sun protection, its imporrtant to remember that sunscreen and sunblock are not the same thing. The metallic materials in sunblock reflect and scatter UV light acting as a wall that blocks all sun light from your skin. Sunscreens have materials that filter certain UV light out whilst allowing other light to be absorbed into the skin.

The best sunscreen to look out for.

The sun protection factor referred to as the SPF, is normally displayed on the bottle. This number tells you the length of time you are able to stay out in the sun without burning.  The best sunscreen protects your from both UVA and UVB sun rays. It is recommended that you wear sunscreen that has more of the following ingredients:  octinoxate, octisalate, oxybenzone, benzophone, menthyl, and anthranitate.

The suns rays are so powerful that even on a cloudy day it is necessary to wear sunscreen. Dermatologists recommend that sunscreen be applied fifteen to thirty minutes before going outside then reapplied every two hours. Waterproof sunscreen must follow the same rules of reapplication, especially after swimming or physical exercise where excessive sweating may have occurred.

A variety of natural skin care products including sunscreen are available. The best sunscreens usually contains zinc extracts as zinc acts as a barrier from the effects of all UV light. Some contain natural extracts also such as wild pansy, and birch tree and oils like carrot oil, lavender oil, wheat germ oil and grapefruit oil. Aloe Vera beauty products are usually used as after sun treatment, but aloe gel can be found in some of the best sunscreen products, along with shea butter and manula honey.

Although people with dark skin are said to be protected from the suns UVA and UVB harmful rays, it is still advisable for them to wear sunscreen. The Philippine Dermatological Society recommend that those with a skin tan type that is very dark use a factor of 8 to 15. If a person has black skin and a skin tan type that is black, a factor 8 sunscreen is recommended.

Wise use of a good sunscreen means we can enjoy the good feeling of the sun on our bodies without risking the potential dangers of over exposure to the sun's rays.