Try it Tuesday: get your sunscreen on!

Today is National Sunscreen Day, which feels appropriate: Memorial Day launches the start of that summer feeling. It’s also a good time to brush up on your sunscreen FAQ. We all know we should be wearing it, but not all sunscreen is created equal.

Environmental Working Group (EWG) has a fantastic guide to picking out the right white stuff for you and your family. They analyzed 1,700 products for the EWG’s annual Guide to Sunscreens so that you can identify natural sunscreens that provide honest protection without nasty chemicals – specifically oxybenzone, which can trigger cell damage and disrupt hormones, and retinyl palmitate, which may trigger cell damage and even cancer.

And believe it or not, you don’t need a sky high SPF. In theory, the higher the SPF the higher your level of protection. But it doesn’t work that way – while SPF 100 blocks 99% of harmful UVA and UVB rays, SPF 50 actually blocks 98%. And that extra 1% gives many people a false sense of security. It doesn’t mean you can apply less product less often, or that you’re safe soaking up rays longer. In fact, the extra SPF may also be giving you an extra dose of chemicals. The bottom line is that a high SPF is misleading; the priority is the proper application of a sunscreen without harmful additives.

These products make the rotation in my cabinet:

Alba Botanica Very Emollient Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30

Burt’s Bees Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30

Jason Sun Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30

Juice Beauty Sport Sunscreen, SPF 30

For every day protection (we’re talking rain or shine) I like these products as well:

Alba Botanica Very Emollient Body Lotion, SPF 15

Alba Botanica Even Advanced Facial Moisturizer, SPF 15

Kiss My Face Everyday 15 Moisturizer, SPF 15

Kiss My Face Face + Neck Factor, SPF 30

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream, SPF 30

Alba Botanica Even Advanced CC Cream, SPF 15

And if I really want some extra color, I’ve found that Alba Botanica Very Emollient Sunless Tanner does a phenomenal job of tanning without the streaks or smelly chemicals. Dare I say I actually enjoy the scent? It’s shockingly pleasant.

If you’re not sure the bottle you have in your cabinet meets these standards, cross check with the EWG’s Hall of Shame.

So get that vitamin D, but get informed first!