What SPF should I use every day?
The number printed on the front of a sunscreen bottle is the place to start. Here is the number to look for and a few low-cost habits that make it stick.
Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you select a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher.
Reading the SPF number on the bottle
You do not need any background to use this rule. Pick up the bottle, find the SPF rating, and check that it says 30 or higher.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a page on how sunscreen helps protect your skin from the sun that is written for shoppers. The American Academy of Dermatology also explains how to select a sunscreen if you want more detail on the label.
Habits that cost almost nothing
The best sunscreen is the one you will actually put on. A few simple habits help.
- Keep a bottle where you already stop every morning, such as next to the sink or by the front door.
- Put it on after brushing your teeth so it joins a routine you already have.
- Keep a second small bottle in the car or your bag for days when you forget.
For Madera, Madera Acres, Fairmead and the rest of the county, the rule is the same. Check the SPF number first and let price and brand come second.
Skin changes that need a clinician
Sunscreen is a daily habit, not a skin exam. A spot that changes in size, shape or color, or a sore that does not heal, should be looked at by a clinician.
For more on the habits around sunscreen, see the American Academy of Dermatology's sun protection overview and the DermNet sun protection page.
Checking your own skin for changes
Once sunscreen is part of your morning, the next thing readers ask is how to check their own skin for changes. That is a free habit too.