SUN SIGNS

EXPERT TIP: Always choose broad spectrum coverage, which means both UVA and UVB rays are blocked (UVB rays cause sunburn while UVA rays contribute to cancer and premature aging).

MINERAL OR CHEMICAL?

All sunscreen comes in two formats: mineral (often called physical) or chemical. Mineral sunscreen’s mainly titanium and zinc oxide ingredients create a physical barrier that sits atop your skin and deflects the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays to prevent them from getting absorbed. Their natural ingredients are coral-reef safe (Hawaii, for example, only allows reef-safe sunscreen) and their consistency has come a long way from the cakey, white-nosed lifeguard look (transparent versions of zinc oxide are thankfully becoming the norm). They’re now also considerably lighter than they used to be with a variety of tints on offer to better blend with a variety of skin tones.

EXPERT TIP: Mineral sunscreens may be more gentle on sensitive skin around the eyes.

Chemical sunscreens’ lower price point and wider availability means they dominate the market. These sunscreens work like a sponge that soaks up the sun’s damaging rays and then releases them as heat. And, while their main ingredients – avobenzone, octinoxate and oxybenzone – can sound alarming, there’s no scientific concern about their actual safety to humans. “Research shows chemical sunscreens are safe for babies, children and adults,” says Dr. Janet Ip, a cosmetic physician at Vancouver’s Project Skin MD and a UBC clinical instructor, who also has a medical practice with a special interest in skin cancer. “We should be far more concerned about the chemicals in the packaged food we eat.”

EXPERT TIP: This category is much easier to apply, too, which means that if people are more likely to lather up with a chemical sunscreen, then that’s a win.

Climate Changes

While everyone should be wearing sunscreen regardless of age or gender, suncare selection should adjust according to climate. Canadians live above the 37th parallel – the latitudinal line dermatologists use to separate the northern hemisphere into intensity of the sun’s rays –with north of that line being less intense, which is a positive for us Canucks. Yet, even within our own country, there are vastly different conditions from coast to coast, which also dictates what type of sunscreen you’ll need. B.C. is humid so a light texture would be more comfortable while a more emollient formulation lasts longer in drier Alberta. Ontario is both dry and humid so a light, but creamy texture works best here.

EXPERT TIP: When you’re travelling south of the 37th parallel, your vacation research should factor in a climate-suitable sunscreen you’ll actually want to wear.

Physically Fit

Activity also dictates your sunscreen line-up. Everyday protection for the city should be lightweight and 35-40 ml should be enough to cover the entire body (if you’re in an office, a mineral face powder sunscreen to touch-up your morning application should suffice). Conversely, recreational sunscreen needs to be water-resistant, long-lasting and should be reapplied every two hours (note that if you’ve got combination or oily skin, extended use of chemical or mineral recreational sunscreen can lead to pores becoming clogged). And if you suffer from skin conditions like melasma, gentler mineral sunscreen is always recommended. “Any kind of sun exposure can make melasma and hyperpigmentation worse so a higher SPF does hold some value,” says Dr. Ip.

EXPERT TIP: To help navigate these pesky dermal issues, the Canadian Dermatology Association offers a Recognized Sun Protection logo on products that have passed rigorous tests for having low potential for irritation, are minimally or non-perfumed, and non-comedogenic.

It's all a lot to take in, but there’s also a lot at stake. “It’s about saving your skin at any age,” says Dr. Ip. So spend a few pre-summer moments formulating a sun defence plan— your skin will thank you for years to come.

FIVE GO-TO SUNSCREENS

1 Dermalogica’s Porescreen SPF 40 minimizes the appearance of pores in a faintly tinted mineral sunscreen made with green microalgae, squalene and vitamin E. 30 ml, $77; available at dermalogica.ca

2 Men’s cult-fave brand Jack Black offers up its Moisture Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 with shea butter and avocado oil to give you something to smile about. 7 ml, $14; available at Holt Renfrew.

3 A lightweight serum full of vitamins, antioxidants and chamomile, Summer Fridays’ ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Mineral Milk sunscreen comes reefsafe, too. 50 ml, $47; available at Sephora .

4 The Anthelios Age Correct SPF 50 by La Roche-Posay is chock full of skincare ingredients like fragmented hyaluronic acid, PHE resorcinol, and niacinamide for a double-whammy age-control cream and sunscreen in one. 50 ml, $54.95; available at Shoppers Drug Mart.

5 Ombrelle’s Daily UV Anti-Dry face moisturizer SPF 60 protects and hydrates skin (and is non-comedogenic) for up to 24 hours. 50 ml, $25; available at Walmart.