When protecting your family’s skin from the sun, choosing the right sunscreen is essential. So how do you know what to look for?
  • As Irish skin is fair, and children are especially sensitive to the sun, you should also choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher (ideally 50 for young children).
  • Choose a sunscreen that protects against both ultraviolet-A and ultraviolet-B (UVA and UVB) light. It will say on the bottle if the sunscreen protects from both types of rays.
  • You should be aware that an SPF number only indicates a sunscreen’s effectiveness against UVB ranges (the UV light that burns skin). However the SPF does not apply to UVA rays, which is what causes skin to age and wrinkle. While UVB protection is certified with an SPF number, UVA protection is certified with a star classification. Look for a sunscreen that has 5 star UVA protection.
The next step that is essential to skin protection is using sunscreen properly.
  • Apply sunscreen generously. If the layer of sunscreen is too skin your skin will not be protected sufficiently.
  • Read the back of the bottle before apply the sunscreen. A spray and a cream will have different application instructions. 
  • Reapply sunscreen regularly (the back of the bottle will recommend how often) and always apply after being in the water and after towel drying

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