Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, about one million cases of basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma are diagnosed each year, and over 54,000 Americans will develop malignant melanoma. Nearly 10,000 people in America will die from skin cancer. One of the best ways to protect exposed skin from sun damage and possible subsequent cancer is to use sunscreen.

Walk through any drugstore or the seasonal aisle of a discount store in warm weather, and the aisles will be filled with various kinds of sunscreen. The choices seem to be endless. What is the best kind of sunscreen to buy? Are generic brands just as good as the name brands?

The very first thing a person should consider when buying sunscreen is sun protection factor (SPF). This is expressed as a number on the front of the bottle that denotes how much protection the product gives from the sun. The higher the number, the greater the protection. Sunscreen with an SPF of 40, for example, provides roughly 40 times a person’s normal protection from the sun. This is especially important when buying sunscreen for children or for those who burn easily.

Another feature the shopper should look for in sunscreen is ultraviolet (UV) protection. The label should clearly state that the product protects from UVA and UVB rays. These are the rays from the sun that cause damage and sunburn. A good sunscreen should protect the wearer from both kinds of rays.

If a person will be swimming or playing sports while wearing the sunscreen, he should also look for waterproof and/or sweatproof sunscreen. This product will stay on longer between applications if the wearer gets wet or sweats a great deal. These types of sunscreen are usually clearly marked and sometimes say something like “sports formula” on the label.

A person should also look on the product label for any substances she is allergic to. Most sunscreen is designed so that anyone can use it, but some products contain ingredients that may trigger an allergic reaction. Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) is an ingredient that used to be found in many sunscreen products, but few still use it. In any case, if a sunscreen causes the skin to feel itchy or if it becomes red and scaly, discontinue use. A person should also smell the sunscreen before purchasing. Some are heavily perfumed, and this may be disagreeable to some people.

Price and size should also be considered when choosing a sunscreen. A person should choose a bottle large enough for a couple of people on a trip to the beach or to the pool. Some brands come in large bottles, and since they do less marketing, they are consequently less expensive. Brand really doesn’t matter too much, as long as the sunscreen works properly and does not trigger an allergy.

Sunscreen should be applied about 20 minutes before sun exposure to every part of the body that will receive sun, including the ears and face. It should be reapplied about every 90 minutes if not swimming, or about every 45 minutes if the person is swimming or sweating. Sunscreen should be applied liberally, and someone in the sun can enhance the product’s effects by staying under a beach umbrella and wearing a hat. The scalp can sunburn easily, and a cap or hat can prevent this.

A shopper’s summer purchases should always include sunscreen. Using it consistently can keep someone younger looking longer. It can also save a life.