What Makes a Good Sunscreen?
The best sunscreen is the one you'll use every day.
Taking care of your skin is an often overlooked but essential part of your health. When it comes to sun safety, the best sunscreen is one you'll use every day. We’ve surveyed many people about sunscreen and despite personal preferences, we’ve noticed some trends in what people look for.
Why is Sunscreen Important?
Sun safety is one of the most pervasively neglected areas of skincare and healthcare. How serious is the lack of sun care? Though sun damage can occur year-round, studies have found that over 82% of Americans don't wear sunscreen daily. In fact, only half-way through 2021, an estimated 45% of the U.S. population had already been sun burned for that year!
As your sun exposure increases so does the risk of long-term impact on skin. Here are the two most common risks:
Skin cancers: sun damage can put you at risk any number of skin cancers. The most deadly is melanoma, which accounts for 75% of skin cancer deaths. Notable non-melanoma skin cancers include basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.
Premature aging and other skin damage: Over-exposure to the sun causes acceleration of loss of elastin and collagen resulting in leathery, rough skin. Up to 90% of the aged appearance of skin is associated with over-exposure to the sun.
It is never too late to change personal habits; you can protect your skin and enjoy the outdoors safely. By wearing sunscreen daily and reapplying as directed, seeking shade during peak sun hours, and wearing protective clothing, you can reduce your risk of sun damage and keep your skin looking and feeling great.
How Often do I need to Reapply?
Sunscreen is an essential year-round and all-weather product. But it must be both applied and reapplied for optimal protection. The general rule of thumb (FDA recommended) is to reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating (read your water-resistant sunscreen for exact times, usually 40 to 80 minutes).
This image from LabMuffin.com shows how sunscreen protection breaks down over time
Examples of how sunscreen breaks down and loses effectiveness:
·Exposure to sun breaks down sunscreen. Exposure to direct light naturally breaks down sunscreen throughout the day.
Sunscreen rubs off. Most people inadvertently rub sunscreen off leaving themselves vulnerable to dangerous UV exposure. Touching your face, blowing your nose, taking your hat and glasses on/off, can all disrupt your sunscreen coverage.
Sweat, swimming, or showering can all wash away sunscreen and reduce its effectiveness.
For optimal protection – reapplying sunscreen is key! By making reapplying sunscreen a regular part of your skin care discipline, you'll be taking an important step towards healthy, glowing skin. It also affords an excuse to pause and enjoy your surroundings!
Trends in Sunscreen (from BWO customer discovery)
Everyone has different preferences but we found some similarities during our customer discovery. Here’s what our interviewees agree on:
Formula Musts
When it comes to choosing a sunscreen formula everyone has different preferences. However, we found that our interviewees share these three priorities:
1. NO white cast.
2. Lightweight
3. Non-greasy.
Sunscreen Applications
Originally, Bee Wild Outside was going to be a stick. That’s right; we wanted the first refillable sunscreen stick, but after our customer discovery we learned that the sunscreen stick is a seldom used and least favorite sunscreen application of customers surveyed. Sunscreen lotion was far and above the preferred application. Here’s how our customer interviewees ranked sunscreens in order of applications:
Lotion
Spray
Gel
Stick
Powder
Active Ingredients: chemical vs. mineral sunscreens
There’s lots of talk about mineral versus chemical sunscreen active ingredients and which is better, but both types can protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV radiation. Our interviewees were split 50/50 in which active ingredients they choose and why. Here is a simple explanation of both types of active ingredients and how they protect your skin from the sun’s radiation.
Active Chemical ingredients like avobenzone, octinoxate and oxybenzone are absorbed into your skin where they absorb UV rays, convert them into heat and release from your body before they can damage your skin.
Active Mineral ingredients including titanium dioxide and zinc oxide sit on your skin and act like a shield deflecting rays before they penetrate your skin.
Finding the Right Sunscreen for you
Whether you prefer a lightweight lotion, a refreshing spray, or a convenient stick, there's a sunscreen out there that's perfect for you. By choosing a formula that feels good on your skin and fits your lifestyle, you'll be more likely to use it every day and stay protected from the sun's harmful rays.
Remember that your skin is your body's largest organ, and it deserves the best care you can give it. By choosing a sunscreen that works for you and making sun safety a priority, you'll be investing in your health and happiness for years to come.
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