Sunscreens and Sun Safety 

This page will help you learn more about which sunscreens are the safest to use.  Remember: the best sunscreen is the one you choose every day.

Putting Sunscreen on Chile
Use your sunscreen and other sun protection gear when spending time outdoors.

Spending time in the sun unprotected can cause sunburn, damaged skin cells, early aging, and cancer such as melanoma. Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun. Sun safety is especially important for people who work and play outdoors, young children, and those with certain medical conditions. 

Being outdoors is good for your physical and mental wellbeing. We encourage you to enjoy the beautiful natural environment in Washington while protecting your skin and health.  

Your best defense against too much harmful sun exposure (UV rays) is a combination of sunscreen, protective clothing, shade, and good timing. 

Sunscreen Tips

  • Buy sunscreen that you like enough to use regularly. 
  • Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen. 
  • Use SPF 30-50. Anything over SPF 50 is not shown to be more effective. 
  • Apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going outside. 
    • Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours. 
  • Choose mineral sunscreen over chemical sunscreen when possible. 
  • Choose lotion/cream or balm sunscreens over sprays and powders. 
  • Choose unscented sunscreens, especially if you have sensitive skin. 
  • Check the expiration date on your sunscreen label. 
Wear hats when sun is out
Hats, sunglasses and similar protective gear are great additions to your sunscreen for overall better sun protection.

More Sun Protection Options

  • Avoid sun exposure between 10 am and 4pm, when UV rays are most intense.
  • Wear hats, preferably with a wide brim. 
  • Wear long, loose-fitting clothing.
  • Use umbrellas and shade.
  • Wear sunglasses.

Understanding Sunscreen Labels 

What does SPF really mean? 

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It measures how much UVB radiation is required to burn sunscreen-protected skin compared to unprotected skin. Higher SPF means that it takes more UVB radiation to cause burns. The SPF rating does not measure protection against UVA rays. 

A higher SPF does not mean your skin is protected for longer. UV intensity changes throughout the day, breaking down the active ingredients in sunscreen. Other factors like sweat, rubbing against clothing, touching your skin, or not wearing enough can impact how long your sunscreen is effective. We recommend sunscreen with SPF 30-50, reapplying at least every 2 hours, no matter the SPF level.

What does “broad-spectrum” mean?

Sunscreen Label
Understanding a product’s label and ingredients is the best way to find the right sunscreen for you.

“Broad spectrum” on a sunscreen label means that the product protects against both UVA and UVB rays from the sun. UVB rays are a main cause of sunburn and skin cancer. UVA rays cause skin aging and can increase the risk of some skin cancers. SPF ratings only measure protection against UVB rays, so it’s also important to find a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVB and UVA rays. 
 
Look for sunscreens labelled as “broad-spectrum”. This shows that the sunscreen has been tested and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to protect against both UVA and UVB rays.   

What is water-resistant sunscreen? 

The FDA defines water resistance as sunscreen that remains effective for either 40 or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating. Any sunscreen sold in the U.S. labeled “water-resistant” has gone through standardized testing required by the FDA. 

Sweat and water wash sunscreen from our skin, so the FDA does not allow sunscreen to be labeled as “waterproof”, only “water resistant”.

What is reef-safe sunscreen?

Unfortunately, product labels like “reef safe” are not regulated and can be put on any sunscreen label without testing.   Several chemical UV filters, especially oxybenzone and octinoxate, cause significant harm to sea life such as the coral reef bleaching phenomenon.

Several popular vacation locations, including Key West and Hawaii in the U.S. and many international destinations, have banned certain sunscreens because of their harmful effects on coral reef ecosystems. If you are planning a tropical vacation, wait until you get there to buy your sunscreen.

What’s in Our Sunscreen? 

UV Filters

Sunscreens contain many ingredients, as shown on their labels. The most important are the “active ingredients”, known as UV filters, which help prevent the sun’s harmful UV rays from damaging your skin. 

There are two main categories of UV filters: Mineral and chemical.

It’s always safer to use sunscreen when you can’t avoid the sun, no matter what kind you choose. We recommend mineral sunscreens because they offer broad-spectrum, skin-friendly UV protection. It is also best for sensitive and/or acne-proneskin. 

Mineral UV filters 

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are common ingredients in high SPF sunscreens. They are: 

  • Very effective at blocking both types of UV rays. 
  • Recognized by the FDA as safe and effective for people to use, including pregnant people, infants, and children. 
  • Known for leaving chalky white streaks (white cast) on your skin. 

Breathing in extremely small particles of these minerals (nanoparticles) could cause harm to your health, so it is best to use lotion/cream sunscreens and avoid sprays or powders when you can. 

Chemical UV filters

Chemical UV filter ingredients are activated by sunlight. They absorb UV rays before the rays enter your skin. These chemicals have been used in sunscreens for decades and help block the harmful effects of the sun’s rays.  

There are currently 17 chemical UV filters for sunscreen approved by the FDA; however, the FDA has requested more safety testing. This is because they can enter your body through your skin, and health experts don’t yet know if the chemicals cause health issues once inside. We do know that it is safer to use sunscreen with chemical UV filters than it is to go without sunscreen. The chemicals we recommend avoiding are avobenzone, oxybenzone, and octinoxate.

In June of 2026, the FDA approved the first new UV filter in decades, bemotrizinol. Bemotrizinol blocks both UVA and UVB rays, is less likely to absorb into the body, and has been used in sunscreens in Europe and Asia for many years. Additional safer UV filter chemicals may be approved in the future. 

Other Ingredients 

Sunscreen products also contain other ingredients that make the product more appealing to consumers. Most of these secondary ingredients are harmless, though some may cause health problems, especially skin irritation. Skin sensitivity is different for everyone, so it’s best to first test the product on a small area of skin and choose fragrance-free products. 

Sun Protection Myths

True or False? “Clouds protect you from the sun.” 

False! You can still get sunburned when it’s cloudy, even if it’s raining or snowing. Harmful UV rays can filter through the clouds enough to cause skin damage. 

Applying Sunscreen
People of all skin tones are at risk for sun damage.

True or False? “People with darker skin can’t get sunburned.”

False!  While darker skin might not show sunburn as well, and it may take longer to feel the effects of the sun, the skin damage is still happening. People with darker skin are less likely to get melanoma, a type of skin cancer, due to more protective melanin pigment in dark skin.

However, melanomas are often detected later in people with darker skin, and they are more likely to die from the cancer. 

True or False? “I don’t need sunscreen when I’m only going to be outside for a little while.”

False! UV damage can happen any time you are in the sun, even through your car windows. Sunscreen or protective clothing is always a good idea if you are going to be outside for any length of time.

True or False? “International brands are better sunscreens.”

Mostly false!  It is true that different ingredients are used in products sold outside the US, for example in Asian and European markets. However, when international brands sell their products in the US, they still have to comply with US FDA regulations -- that can mean changing their product’s formula. Just because the product name is the same as the one sold overseas does not mean the contents are all the same.     

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