Sunscreen for Body

Body Sunscreen at Walgreens

Using sun protection regularly is one of the most important steps that you can take to promote healthy, youthful skin from head to toe. By applying sunscreen to your body before you head outdoors, you can reduce your risk of painful sunburns and lower your risk of premature signs of aging and some forms of skin cancer. Walgreens makes shopping for sunscreen for your body skin simple. In this product selection, you'll find all of the sunscreens available for all-over use. You can make a purchase online or find out where you can buy your favorite sunscreen in stores.

Start With SPF

The first thing to consider when shopping for sunscreen is the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) that is ideal for you. SPF levels measure how much of the sun's ultraviolet B (UVB) rays a sunscreen filters out before it reaches your skin. An SPF 15 sunscreen can shield you from about 93 percent of all environmental UVB rays. Products with higher ratings offer more protection. For example, an SPF 50 product protects you from 97 percent of UVB. To also shield your skin from ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, look for sunscreens that offer broad-spectrum protection.

Choose the Right Type

There are two main types of sunscreens available for you to consider: physical and chemical. Physical sunscreens reflect UV with mineral-based ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These products remain on the surface of the skin and may leave behind a white film as a result. Micronized mineral sunscreens are formulated to appear less visible. Chemical sunscreens protect your skin by absorbing UV. A number of chemical sunscreens have been approved by the U.S. Food Administration for use as key ingredients in formulas, including oxybenzone and avobenzone. Some sunscreens combine both chemical and physical sunscreen ingredients. You can read the product descriptions to find out which active ingredients are present in each formula.

Other Considerations

Once you have focused on the sunscreens that offer the right type of protection and the ideal SPF level for your needs, you can compare other features of the products. Many sunscreens are offered in multiple forms. Creams and lotions make it easy to measure how much sunscreen you have applied, reducing the risk of missed spots. Sprays, solids and wipes can be applied quickly and are preferred by some people as a result. If you'll be sweating, you may want to choose a sports sunscreen that can better hold up to the effects of perspiration. Water-resistant sunscreens are available for swimming.

Important Sunscreen Tips

To get the most out of your sunscreen for body skin, it is important that you use it properly. It's best to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure begins to allow the formula to take effect. Use a full ounce of sunscreen and make sure to apply the formula to all areas of exposed skin. In order to continue to protect yourself, you should reapply sunscreen once every 2 hours or more frequently if you're swimming or heavily perspiring.