What is Sunscreen? Your Complete Guide
August 03, 2026
By: Lauren Sindel
A daily skincare essential, regardless of the weather, sunscreen helps protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
Sun protection is imperative for all skin types and tones. Especially when spending time outdoors, sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays that can lead to skin damage.
Read on to discover the benefits of sunscreen and how to use it properly, plus how to choose the right sunscreen.
What is Sunscreen?
Sunscreen (aka, sunblock) is a topical product that protects your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. Whether lotion, cream or spray, sunscreen absorbs or reflects UV rays, which helps prevent sunburn and premature skin aging while lowering the risk of skin cancer.
Benefits of Sunscreen
The biggest benefits of sunscreen come from using a broad spectrum sunscreen, which helps to protect your skin from both ultraviolet A (UVA) rays which cause skin aging and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays which cause sunburns. Both rays increase skin cancer risk.
Some sunscreens can be formulated to provide additional benefits for your skin. For example, some contain hyaluronic acid for hydration and vitamin C for brightening.
Wearing SPF daily is the easiest, most effective thing you can do to prevent fine lines, wrinkles, sunburn, and skin cancer. Consistent sun protection can also help reduce the development of dark spots and uneven skin tone, as UV exposure can trigger excess melanin production that leads to visible pigmentation.
When you’re spending a lot of time outside, it’s important to wear protective clothing like a hat and sunglasses in addition to using sunscreen. Experts advise seeking shade and avoiding direct sun exposure during midday.
How Sunscreen Protects Your Skin
How sunscreen works depends on the type you use. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays and convert them into a small amount of heat, preventing the rays from damaging your skin. Mineral sunscreens use ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to form a protective layer that reflects and scatters UV rays away from the skin.
Without protection, UV rays can penetrate the skin and damage the DNA in skin cells, leading to sunburn, premature ageing, and an increased risk of skin cancer. By reducing the amount of UV radiation that reaches your skin, sunscreen helps prevent this damage and protects your skin's long-term health. Both types are effective when used correctly.
Read More: How Long Does Sunscreen Last?
How to Use Sunscreen Correctly
Most people only use 25-50% of the recommended amount of sunscreen, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Applying too little sunscreen reduces the level of protection you receive, even if you're using a high SPF.
For adults, use about two finger lengths of sunscreen for your face and neck, and about 30 mL (roughly one shot glass) to cover your entire body. Apply sunscreen 15–30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours, or immediately after swimming, sweating, or towel drying.
Remember to cover commonly missed areas such as your ears, the back of your neck, the tops of your feet, and your lips. Consistent application and regular reapplication are key to getting the full protection your sunscreen is designed to provide.
How to Choose the Right Sunscreen
For everyday sun protection, choose a sunscreen that feels good on your skin. Truly Solar Baby SPF 45 Invisible Sunscreen Oil delivers lightweight, glowy broad spectrum protection with no white cast and no greasy finish. Infused with vitamin C and bakuchiol, it nourishes your skin while leaving behind a radiant glow and a dreamy coconut pineapple scent.
Solar Baby SPF 45 Invisible Sunscreen Oil
“I tried it and absolutely love it. My skin feels so silky smooth after applying it, not greasy and it smells SO good!!” - Nicole G.
References
https://www.aad.org/media/stats/prevention-and-care/sunscreen-faqs
https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts#general
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htm
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