Sunscreens: Summer is definitely here!

If you follow the weather reports (or just step outside) you've noticed Summer is definitely on!

The liberal application of sunscreen every two hours can help to prevent sunburn, skin cancer and wrinkling of the skin.  This is especially important in children, since one single blistering sunburn can double the lifetime risk of melanoma.

Melinda Moyer at Slate Magazine covers (no pun) the topic quite nicely.  Briefly;

• Organic sunscreens are called this because they are carbon-based, and absorb UVA which causes cancer, and UVB which causes sunburn.  
• Mineral sunscreens accomplish this by reflecting UVA and UVB.
• SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB, SPF 50 blocks 98%.  It's probably not necessary to get anything stronger than that.
• Spray-on, or wipe-on sunscreen may not cover your skin as well as lotions.
• Using combined sunscreen + insect repellent may increase the absorption of the chemicals into your bloodstream, which may not be a good idea.

Environmental Working Group (a non-profit organization) has a great website that provides plenty of information and recommendations on sunscreens and their ingredients, safety, quality and cost.

Their iPhone and Android apps, Skin Deep also makes this information accessible on sunscreens and also  cosmetics in a mobile platform.  You can browse by entering sunscreen as a search word, or barcode scan products at the store.