In honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, we are launching our #LiveBright campaign to share sun safety tips, positivity and, of course, our original prints. We are collaborating with leaders in the sun safe community throughout the month to bring further awareness to skin cancer beyond sun protective clothing & swimwear.
Cabana Life is passionate about sun protection, and to give you the best information, we reached out to experts in the field, our favorite dermatologists!
We are so excited to feature Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose. She is a Board Certified Dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of NY. You can find @drblairrose on Instagram and Laser Skin & Surgery Center of NY on Facebook.
Read below to learn Dr. Murphy-Rose's tips on sunscreen!
What is the difference between chemical & mineral sunscreens?
"Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide protect your skin best by sitting on top of the skin and providing a physical barrier to block the sun’s harmful rays. These active ingredients are also less likely to elicit allergic reactions and are safer for the environment compared to many of the chemical sunscreen ingredients on the market. Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing UV rays and reducing the amount that penetrates into the skin. Chemical sunscreens should be applied no less than 15 minutes before sun exposure to be effective."
What are your favorite brands and products?
"Skinceuticals Physical Fusion, Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection, and Blue Lizard Baby."
What is the difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50? What SPF level should I be using?
"I recommend using SPF 30 or higher. The most important thing is to remember to reapply every 2 hours and after getting wet or excessive perspiration."
What should I look for when picking out a sunscreen?
- Broad spectrum
- Active ingredients to look for: zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide
- Active ingredients to avoid: oxybenzone is the major one
- SPF 30 or higher
"It’s a common misconception that higher SPF will work better. Most important is to apply sufficiently and to reapply throughout the day..."
How often should you really reapply sunscreen?
"Every 2 hours and after getting wet or excessive perspiration. Also, seek shade and always avoid direct sunlight between the hours of 10am to 2pm."
Are sunscreen sticks and sprays as effective as lotions? Does it matter which one or is it all personal preference?
"They can all be very effective. As long as they meet the criteria listed above for what to look for in a sunscreen, the most important thing is to find the product that you WILL use!"
Do certain products work better on different parts of the body?
"Sometimes sprays are preferred for hair-bearing areas like the scalp. Lotions generally work better for large areas compared to sticks."
What's the biggest sunscreen myth you've heard?
"That you don’t need it on a cloudy day!"
Photo via: @drblairrose
When it comes to sun protection, we trust the professionals! We hope these tips help you to enjoy the sunshine while staying protected from UV rays.
For more Dermatologist Q&A's look out for our next #LiveBright blog & follow along on our Instagram.
And if you want to add sun protection to your wardrobe check out our new arrivals for all things sun safe & stylish.