Buzz
Cream or spray, mineral or chemical, high SPF or not—there are many ways to choose a sunscreen. But in the end, the key is whether you will actually wear it, and apply it generously.
If your sunscreen leaves your face with a white, chalky residue, or if it feels thick and greasy, you may be tempted to apply a thin layer. But remember, the SPF listed on the bottle is based on applying a very thick layer—which is not realistic—so the thinner you apply it, the less protection you'll get.
Similarly, if you dislike your sunscreen—whether it's due to an annoying smell or some other minor issue—you’ll likely skip applying it as often as you should. Even the best sunscreen won’t work if you don’t use it.
My husband was once one of those people who believed sunscreen didn’t actually work. He disliked it, applied it sparingly, never reapplied, and often ended up sunburned. One day at the pool, I sprayed his back with the same sunscreen I was using on our squirming kids, and by the end of the day, the areas that were sprayed were perfectly fine, while the spots that were missed were burned. From that, he concluded that the specific brand of spray sunscreen I used is the only one that truly works.
In a way, he was right: He never bothered to apply other sunscreens properly or consistently, so they couldn’t protect him. The sunscreen that works is the one you use every day.
