Which Sunscreen Is Best For You?

The sunscreen that's right for you depends on your daily routine and your level of sun exposure.

Perfect protection

 As the days get longer (and the rays get stronger), you need more sun protection. But the type of sunscreen you choose should be tailored to your daily routine and typical sun exposure.

Find the best product for you with help from Mona Gohara, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale.

Limited exposure

Sun situation: You work in a windowless office and get sun only en route to public transit.

Solution: Choose a mineral powder with titanium dioxide, which physically blocks UV rays for instant protection without the hassle of applying cream sunscreen, Dr. Gohara says.

Try: Mineral Fusion Mineral Brush-On Sun Defense, SPF 30, $25; mineralfusion.com.

Sun-pooling

Sun situation: You have a half-hour commute to work with the sun beating through your car window.

Solution: On top of your usual daytime SPF moisturizer, apply a broad-spectrum stick product to exposed areas such as your left cheekbone and left arm.

Try: Yes to Cucumbers Natural sunscreen stick, SPF 30, $9; yestocarrots.com.

Out-and-about

Sun situation: You spend a few hours browsing the farmers market on Saturdays.

Solution: Protect your face with at least an SPF 30 lotion, but use a mineral-based sunscreen all over your body, too. "The calves are the most common place melanomas show up in women," Dr. Gohara says.

Try: La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Tinted Mineral sunscreen fluid for body, SPF 50, $37; laroche-posay.us.

From Health magazine