What To Look For
Look for a moisturizer with SPF 15; it will provide sufficient protection from the sun exposure you experience on a daily basis. If you have very light skin, choose one that has 30 SPF. The SPF rating on labels of moisturizers indicate UVB protection, which shields the skin from inflammation and sunburn. To protect your skin from aging and skin cancers, you also need UVA protection. The Environmental Protection Agency working group reports, "FDA scientists attributes an increasing incidence of malignant melanoma among people who work indoors to UVA rays shining through windows onto unprotected skin." So look for moisturizers that include avobenzone (sometimes listed as butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane), titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or mexoryl (ecamsule). These are often referred to as "broad-spectrum" sunscreens.
Common Pitfalls
Whether or not the sun is shining, you still receive exposure to UVA rays, so wear moisturizer with an SPF factor even on a cloudy or rainy day. UV rays introduce free radicals into the skin. They can slowly age and discolor skin over time. Therefore, no matter your age or the color of your skin, apply a moisturizer with SPF daily.
Where To Buy
Find moisturizer with appropriate SPF protection in drugstores, beauty salons, day spas and skin-care centers. You have the benefit of being able to compare the ingredients and price of products if you use online stores, such as Drugstore and Dermstore. If you purchase a moisturizer from a salon, spa or skin care center, you will have access to trained beauty professionals who can steer you to the product that best fits your skin type.
Cost
The additional ingredients in a moisturizer with SPF will affect its price. Moisturizers at the high end of the price range may have additional additives that benefit the health of your skin. If you use a treatment serum that satisfies your skin's need for additional vitamins, you can purchase a moisturizer with SPF in the lower price range. The Drugstore website offers several moisturizers that have UVA and UVB protection. They range in price from about $9 to $135. Moisturizers with SPFs from Dermstore cost from $14 to $100.
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