How to choose the right sunscreen?

Do you also tend to choose a specific brand of sunscreen simply because it's the one you've always used? But have you ever wondered if that sunscreen actually protects you? Here are a few things to consider the next time you buy sunscreen. These might just convince you to try something else…

What is the famous FPS?

The most important thing to look at is the SPF (sun protection factor) rating. According to the Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) , it's recommended to choose a lotion with an SPF between 30 and 60. That's all well and good, but what does that number actually mean? The SPF indicates how long your skin can be exposed to the sun before it starts to redden. So, if you apply a cream with an SPF of 50, you can stay in the sun 50 times longer before getting sunburned. However, this is just a theory, because in practice, it's a different story when you're swimming and sweating.

UVA and UVB

The sun emits three different types of ultraviolet rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVB rays are more energetic than UVA rays and are often the main cause of skin diseases. Sunscreen (SPF) blocks these types of UV rays. For maximum protection, however, it's important to choose a sunscreen labeled "broad spectrum" to also block UVA rays. As for UVC rays, we generally hear less about them because, fortunately for us, they are filtered by the ozone layer and never reach the Earth.

The best choices

A good sunscreen doesn't necessarily have to be expensive. The Protégez-Vous team debunked this misconception last summer in their study of several spray-on sunscreens. They analyzed several products with an SPF of 30, priced between $0.82 and $4.57 per 30 ml application. Here are the four best results from this study:

Equate (exclusive to Walmart)

• That works out to approximately $0.82 per 30 ml
• UVA and UVB protection (broad spectrum)
• Water and sweat resistant

Banana Boat Sport Performance

• That works out to approximately $1.64 per 30 ml
• UVA and UVB protection (broad spectrum)
• Water and sweat resistant

President's Choice (Loblaws)

• That works out to approximately $1.69 per 30 ml
• UVA and UVB protection (broad spectrum)

Hawaiian Tropic Silky Touch

• That works out to approximately $1.92 per 30 ml
• UVA and UVB protection (broad spectrum)
• Water resistant
• Contains vitamin E

Don't forget that it's important to apply sunscreen several times a day when you're spending the day in the sun, so you don't end up looking like a lobster in your travel photos. A little tip: when you get up to refill your glass, take the opportunity to apply some sunscreen too!

The prices of the sunscreens mentioned in this article were recorded by the Protégez-vous team in February and March 2015.