SUNSCREEN 101
Choosing the Right Sunscreen: What You Need to Know
Walking into the drugstore sunscreen aisle can feel overwhelming. With dozens of options—from creams and sprays to gels and powders—it’s easy to wonder:
Which one is right for me?
The truth is, not all sunscreens are created equal. Understanding what to look for can help you cut through the confusion and choose a sunscreen that offers effective, reliable protection for your skin type and lifestyle.
How Does Sunscreen Work?
Before choosing a sunscreen, it’s helpful to understand what it actually does. Sunscreen works by reducing the amount of UV radiation that reaches your skin, helping to prevent sunburn, skin aging, and skin cancer.
There are two main types of sunscreen:
Physical (Mineral) UV Filters
- How they work: These ingredients sit on the surface of the skin and reflect UV rays, acting like a mirror.
- Common ingredients to look for:
- Titanium Dioxide
- Zinc Oxide
- Ideal for: Sensitive skin, babies, or those who prefer more natural options.
- Health Canada Classification: Natural Product
- Look for an 8-digit NPN (Natural Product Number) on the label.
- Look for an 8-digit NPN (Natural Product Number) on the label.
Chemical UV Filters
- How they work: These ingredients absorb UV radiation and convert it into a tiny amount of heat, preventing the rays from damaging your skin.
- Common ingredients to look for:
- Avobenzone
- Octisalate
- Oxybenzone
- Octinoxate
- Ideal for: Lightweight, invisible finish; active lifestyles.
- Health Canada Classification: Drug Product
- Look for an 8-digit DIN (Drug Identification Number) on the label.
- Look for an 8-digit DIN (Drug Identification Number) on the label.
Both options offer excellent protection when applied properly. The best sunscreen is the one you’ll use consistently and reapply as directed!
Look For Broad Spectrum Protection
The first and most important feature to check when choosing a sunscreen is whether it offers broad-spectrum protection. This means the sunscreen shields your skin from both UVA and UVB rays—and both are important for different reasons:
- UVA rays penetrate more deeply into the skin, contributing to premature aging, such as wrinkles, pigmentation, and loss of skin elasticity—and they also increase your risk of skin cancer.
- UVB rays are the main cause of sunburns and play a significant role in skin cancer development.
Some sunscreens protect only against UVB, so it’s important to look for the words "broad-spectrum" on the label. In Canada, sunscreens labeled as "broad spectrum" protect against both UVA and UVB rays, and this is indicated by the "broad spectrum" label on the packaging. There isn't a specific logo that solely represents broad spectrum protection. Instead, look for the words "broad spectrum" or a circle containing the letters "UVA" which indicates Health Canada's approval for UVA protection.
Understanding SPF: How Much Protection Do You Need?
For many people, choosing the right SPF is the most confusing part of buying sunscreen. The good news? It doesn't have to be!
Health Canada recommends using a minimum of SPF 30 every day—even on cloudy days or during the winter months.
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures how well a sunscreen protects your skin from UVB rays, which cause sunburn. The number refers to how long it would take for your skin to burn compared to unprotected skin. For example:
- If you’d normally burn in 10 minutes without sunscreen, an SPF 30 (in theory) would extend that time 30-fold, giving you about 300 minutes of protection under ideal conditions.
But here's the catch:
This does not mean you can stay in the sun 30 times longer without risk. Real-world factors like sweating, swimming, and how well the sunscreen was applied can reduce its effectiveness. That’s why reapplication every 2 hours (and after swimming or sweating) is essential—even with high-SPF products.
Look For The CDA Seal of Approval
The Sun Protection Program (SPP) is a Canadian initiative that recognizes sunscreen products which meet strict standards for effective and reliable sun protection.
Only sunscreens that have been thoroughly reviewed and approved by the Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) are permitted to display the CDA logo on their packaging.
This seal assures consumers that the product:
- Offers broad-spectrum protection (against both UVA and UVB rays)
- Has been tested for photostability and safety
- Meets the minimum SPF requirements recommended by dermatologists
When in doubt, choosing a sunscreen with the CDA-approved logo is a smart and skin-safe choice.
HOW TO APPLY SUNSCREEN EFFECTIVELY
Now that you've chosen the right sunscreen, the next crucial step is applying it correctly. Most people don’t use nearly enough to get the full SPF protection listed on the label. For sunscreen to work properly, it needs to be applied generously to all exposed areas of the skin—including commonly missed spots like the ears, the back of your hands, and your scalp (especially if hair is thin or parted).
Health Canada recommends that adults use about 7 teaspoons (approximately 35 mL) of sunscreen per full-body application:
- 1 teaspoon for each arm
- 1 teaspoon for each leg
- 1 teaspoon for your front
- 1 teaspoon for your back
- 1 teaspoon for your face and neck
Applying the correct amount—and reapplying every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating—is essential to getting the protection your skin needs.
FULL SKIN REVIEW
1 in 6 Canadians will be diagnosed with skin cancer. If you do not have a Healthcare Provider checking your skin annually, click to connect with us!