Zinc oxide sits on top of your skin and blocks both UVA and UVB light. Daily sunscreen protects your cells and keeps your other treatments working.
Set up your skin profile in the Skin Lab and this page will show what sunscreen means for you.
How strong the evidence is for each job. More dots means more and better studies.
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are physical blockers that cover both. Many chemical filters mainly cover UVB, so check for “broad spectrum”.
UV light tells melanocytes to make more pigment, and acids like glycolic make skin more sun-sensitive. Sunscreen keeps treatments working.
Mineral filters rarely irritate, so they suit sensitive skin. If one bothers you, try another form.
Simplified, but true to how the research explains it.
The level dermatologists recommend for daily use.
Protects against UVA and UVB, not just sunburn.
About a shot glass for the body. A thin layer gives less protection.
Water-resistant lasts 40 minutes in water; very water-resistant, 80.
Most people apply less than the SPF was tested with.
Mineral sunscreens can look chalky on deeper tones. Tinted versions blend better.
Apply after moisturizer every morning.
Cover face, ears and neck evenly.
Apply 15–20 minutes before going outside.
Every 2 hours outdoors, and after swimming or sweating.
Both work. Mineral filters like zinc oxide rarely irritate and cover UVA and UVB. Chemical filters often mainly cover UVB, so look for avobenzone or a broad-spectrum label.
Yes. UV light still drives pigment, so sunscreen helps keep dark marks from getting darker.
Water-resistant sunscreen keeps its SPF for 40 minutes in water. Very water-resistant lasts 80 minutes. Reapply after that.
Usually not on its own, because people apply far less makeup than the amount used to test SPF. Use a sunscreen underneath.
Product picks are coming soon. We'll list sunscreen products by skin type and price, with clear notes on any affiliate links.
Explore the Skin Lab