Sunscreen Demystified!

Summary

The Wirecutter Show: Sunscreen Demystified! – Comprehensive Summary

Release Date: May 14, 2025

Hosts and Guests:

• Christine Cyrclassette – Co-host
• Kyra Blackwell – Co-host and Facial Sunscreen Expert
• Rosie Guerin – Producer and Co-host
• Nancy Red – Senior Health Writer at Wirecutter and Guest Expert

---

1. Introduction to Sunscreen Essentials

The episode kicks off with Christine Cyrclassette and Kyra Blackwell introducing the topic of sunscreen, emphasizing its critical role in daily skincare routines. Rosie Guerin highlights the extensive testing Wirecutter has conducted on various sunscreens, setting the stage for an in-depth discussion led by expert Nancy Red.

Notable Quote:

• Christine Cyrclassette [05:07]: "I know, it's not what's supposed to happen. Like, you're supposed to wear it all year round, rain or shine."

2. The Importance of Daily Sunscreen Use

Nancy Red underscores that sunscreen isn't just a summer essential but a year-round necessity. A 2023 national survey revealed that only 13.5% of participants wear sunscreen daily, a statistic the hosts find concerning.

Notable Quote:

• Christine Cyrclassette [02:16]: "Sunscreen is for all day, every day."

3. Understanding SPF and Broad Spectrum Protection

The hosts delve into the fundamentals of sunscreen, explaining SPF (Sun Protection Factor) and the significance of Broad Spectrum labeling, which indicates protection against both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays. They clarify that while higher SPFs offer marginally more protection, SPF 30 is the minimum recommended by experts.

Notable Quote:

• Kyra Blackwell [07:44]: "SPF itself stands for sun protection factor. Sun protection factor is how well a sunscreen protects against UVB rays."

4. Types of Sunscreens: Mineral vs. Chemical vs. Combination

The discussion transitions to the two primary types of sunscreens:

• Mineral (Physical) Sunscreens: Utilize active ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to create a physical barrier that scatters UV rays.
• Chemical Sunscreens: Contain active ingredients that absorb UV light, effectively preventing it from penetrating the skin.
• Combination Sunscreens: Blend both mineral and chemical agents for enhanced protection.

Notable Quote:

• Kyra Blackwell [10:18]: "The active ingredients in mineral sunscreens act like a barrier... Chemical sunscreens absorb the UV light."

5. Choosing Between Mineral and Chemical Sunscreens

Christine and Kyra discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each type:

• Mineral Sunscreens:
  • Pros: Less likely to irritate sensitive skin, no white cast with modern formulations.
  • Cons: Historically thicker and more expensive, though recent advancements have improved their cosmetic elegance.
• Chemical Sunscreens:
  • Pros: Easier to apply, absorb quickly without leaving a visible residue.
  • Cons: Perceived health risks due to chemical ingredients, ongoing FDA evaluations.

Notable Quote:

• Christine Cyrclassette [11:07]: "There's no reason to stop using any sunscreen. Whatever sunscreen you have, use it."

6. Cost vs. Effectiveness: Navigating the Market

Nancy Red highlights the economic aspect of sunscreen choices. Mineral sunscreens tend to be more expensive, sometimes costing seven times more than chemical options. For instance, the Equate Sport Giant from Walmart offers affordability at $0.40 per ounce, whereas Badger’s SPF Adventure Mineral Cream stands at $6 per ounce.

Notable Quote:

• Kyra Blackwell [14:29]: "It's $6 an ounce. Okay, let's compare $6 an ounce to 40 cents an ounce."

7. Reef Safe Sunscreens: Protecting Marine Life

The hosts address environmental concerns, specifically the impact of certain sunscreen ingredients on marine ecosystems. They explain that while no sunscreen is entirely reef safe, choosing products with non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide minimizes harm to marine life.

Notable Quote:

• Kyra Blackwell [24:25]: "If you're going into a place with reefs, like Hawaii, you need to be using a very specific kind of sunscreen."

8. Common Sunscreen Application Mistakes

Through a fun game-like segment, the hosts present common misconceptions and errors in sunscreen application:

1. Insufficient Amount:

   • Mistake: Using a small dab instead of the recommended one ounce per application.
   • Advice: Apply a full shot glass amount to each exposed area.
   • Kyra Blackwell [29:14]: "You should be applying at least an ounce of sunscreen to your whole body."

2. Single Application for the Day:

   • Mistake: Believing that one application lasts all day.
   • Advice: Reapply every two hours, more frequently if swimming or sweating.
   • Kyra Blackwell [30:13]: "You should be reapplying sunscreen approximately every two hours."

3. Seasonal Neglect:

   • Mistake: Skipping sunscreen during winter or cloudy days.
   • Advice: Wear sunscreen consistently, as UV rays are present year-round.
   • Kyra Blackwell [31:01]: "Winter sun with the reflection of the snow can be even harsher on your skin."

4. Relying Solely on Makeup with SPF:

   • Mistake: Assuming foundation with SPF provides adequate protection.
   • Advice: Use dedicated sunscreen in addition to SPF-containing makeup.
   • Kyra Blackwell [33:28]: "You'd need to use a lot of makeup to effectively get the full SPF 30 protection."

5. Using Spray Sunscreens:

   • Mistake: Believing sprays offer efficient coverage without reapplication.
   • Advice: Avoid spray sunscreens due to uneven application and inhalation risks.
   • Kyra Blackwell [32:06]: "Spray sunscreens are not a good choice."

Notable Quote:

• Christine Cyrclassette [29:22]: "More is more, because you can never have too much, only too little."

9. Product Recommendations and Highlights

Nancy Red shares Wirecutter’s top sunscreen picks, balancing effectiveness, cost, and environmental impact:

• Thrive: A reef-friendly mineral sunscreen praised for its balance of protection and cosmetic elegance.
• Thinksport: Known for its robust protection and affordability.
• Banana Boat Light as Air: A beloved chemical sunscreen with a lightweight feel.
• Equate Sport Giant Bottle: The most budget-friendly option at under $0.40 per ounce.
• Badger’s SPF Adventure Mineral Cream: A premium mineral option at $6 per ounce, favored for its fragrance-free formulation and minimal ingredients.

Notable Quote:

• Kyra Blackwell [27:05]: "Thrive, Thinksport, and Badger are our top reef safer brands."

10. Final Takeaways and Recommendations

The episode concludes with key actionable insights:

• Consistent Use: Apply sunscreen daily, regardless of weather.
• Adequate Quantity: Use at least one ounce per application and reapply regularly.
• Ingredient Awareness: Check labels for active ingredients to choose between mineral and chemical sunscreens.
• Environmental Consideration: Opt for non-nano mineral sunscreens when protecting marine ecosystems.
• Economic Balance: Evaluate the cost per ounce to ensure sustainable sunscreen use.

Notable Quote:

• Christine Cyrclassette [38:15]: "That's why price per ounce is so important... it really does add up."

---

Conclusion

"Sunscreen Demystified!" offers listeners a comprehensive guide to understanding and effectively using sunscreen. By breaking down complex terminology, debunking common myths, and providing expert-recommended products, The Wirecutter Show empowers individuals to make informed decisions for their skin health and environmental stewardship.

For more detailed reviews and product links, visit Wirecutter’s website.

Transcript

[Advertiser]

Support for this podcast comes from Estee Lauder. They really duped beauty sleep. Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Serum helps your skin look like it got eight hours of beauty sleep, even if you didn't in just one sleep. See immediate radiance and a reduction in fine lines. It really is beauty sleep in a bottle. Get ready to glow with Advanced Night repair [e-mail] friends don't let friends miss a good beauty sleep dupe.

[Kyra Blackwell]

The Banana Boat Face Sunscreen and the Banana Boat Body Sunscreen is the exact same sunscreen. Right, Kyra?

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Mm. But they will charge you extra if you don't look at the label and you buy the face sunscreen. They'll charge you extra for that.

[Rosie Guerin]

That's a hot sauce.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

So look at it.

[Rosie Guerin]

I'm Christine Cyrclassette.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

I'm Kyra Blackwell.

[Nancy Red]

I'm Rosie Guerin and you're listening to the Wirecutter Show.

[Rosie Guerin]

This episode is called Sunscreen Demystified.

[Unknown]

Hello. Hello.

[Kyra Blackwell]

Howdy.

[Nancy Red]

Today's topic, sunscreen.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Oh, my favorite subject.

[Rosie Guerin]

It is truly a wonderful topic. I love sunscreen.

[Nancy Red]

I have been patting myself on the back for the last couple of years because I've really upped my sunscreen. My facial sunscreen game.

[Rosie Guerin]

Yeah.

[Nancy Red]

But also my body sunscreen.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

That's amazing.

[Rosie Guerin]

Are you wearing it every day?

[Kyra Blackwell]

Day?

[Rosie Guerin]

Like, multiple times a day?

[Nancy Red]

This is private. I am reapplying it on my face. I'm wearing it every day. It's really important. I'm trying to keep this youthful glow.

[Rosie Guerin]

I mean, you're doing a great job. What kind of sunscreen do you like to wear?

[Nancy Red]

I actually wear the facial sunscreen from Trader Joe's that Kyra recommended to me, and I love it.

[Kyra Blackwell]

I love that one.

[Rosie Guerin]

That's right. Because, Kyra, you are our resident facial sunscreen expert. You've written Wirecutter's Guide to Facial Sunscreens. You know quite a bit. I'm partial to Korean sunscreens.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

The best.

[Rosie Guerin]

I love them. They tend to be lighter. They're very effective. I'm a little obsessed with them.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

No, I. I love the Korean sunscreens, but it's just that they're more expensive and harder to get. Yeah.

[Rosie Guerin]

Unfortunately, you sometimes have to order them from Korea, so.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Yeah. But, you know, you guys, we're not the norm in terms of how much sunscreen we're wearing and how often we're wearing it. Like, lots of people right now are probably thinking, oh, it's getting warmer outside, so I need to start wearing sunscreen.

[Rosie Guerin]

Right.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Which is not what's supposed to happen. Like, you're supposed to wear it all year round, rain or shine. There was a national survey done in 2023 that found that of those who participated, only 13.5% actually wear sunscreen on a daily basis.

[Rosie Guerin]

I want to know who these people that participated were. Were they like, living under a rock or something like that?

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Maybe in a really rainy climate. But yeah, sunscreen is for all day, every day.

[Rosie Guerin]

You know, we've done a lot of sunscreen testing here at Wirecutter. We've tested all TYP sunscreen. We are going to have Nancy Red, who is one of our senior health writers, and she has tested a ton of body sunscreens. And so she's going to come on and talk with us about how you should be applying sunscreen, what you should be looking for in your sunscreens, demystifying all the terms you see on the bottles and even some of the terms you don't see on the bottles. And you just kind of have to know. And we're going to really get into it with her.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

That's right. So we're going to take a quick break and then when we're back, we're going to speak with Nancy about all of the complicated things about sunscreen that may have been stumping you. Be right back.

[Advertiser]

Support for this podcast comes from Estee Lauder. They really duped beauty sleep. Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Serum helps your skin look like it got eight hours of beauty sleep, even if you didn't in just one sleep. See immediate radiance and a reduction in fine lines. It really is beauty sleep in a bottle. Get ready to glow with Advanced Night Repair serum@estee lauder.com friends don't let friends miss a good beauty sleep dupe.

[Unknown]

This podcast is supported by Saatva. Spring cleaning can be good for your home and your mind. It can boost your mood, sharpen your focus, and fuel productivity. Another way to do all that sleeping well. Voted best luxury mattress by sleepfoundation.org Every Saatva is handcrafted for a great night's sleep. And they cost far less than retail. Save $600 on $1,000 or more at saatva.com NYT.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Welcome back. With us now is Nancy Red, who's a senior staff writer on our health team who covers everything from sunscreens to electric toothbrushes and blood pressure monitors. She's also a New York Times best selling health author and recently published her latest book, the Real Body Visual Gu Health and Wellness. And she's been covering sunscreens at Wirecutter for over five years.

[Rosie Guerin]

Nancy, welcome to the show.

[Kyra Blackwell]

Thanks for having me. I love sunscreen.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

I do too, Nancy. That's why I'm so happy to have you here. And it probably won't be surprising to some people that we're doing a sunscreen episode as we approach summer. But I think that's something that people may not know, is that sunscreen should be worn year round, rain or shine. And I know that I fight to get my brothers, my parents, to wear sunscreen at any time. So, Nancy, who exactly is sunscreen for?

[Kyra Blackwell]

Well, if you're breathing, if you're over six months old, then you need sunscreen. Basically, everyone all year round should slather themselves with the stuff.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

So when you say slathered, do you wear it kind of like a lotion or is it something that you only put on your face?

[Kyra Blackwell]

It's a kind of all over thing, right? Any part of your body that is remotely exposed to the sun, whether it is your toes or your forehead, then you definitely need to wear sunscreen. And sometimes you can think, oh, well, that sounds overboard. But people who know know that you can get skin cancer anywhere from your scalp to your toenails. So think of it like you just said, like a lotion, right where you want to make it part of your daily hygiene routine and sometimes multiple times a day in some climates.

[Rosie Guerin]

The cancer scare part of it is very real. But Nancy, just to be completely candid, because I'm very vain, I the reason I wear sunscreen is because of the anti aging part of it.

[Kyra Blackwell]

Oh, totally. I, as an African American woman coming into this job in 2019, I did not think of sunscreen as something as important to my daily repertoire because of the adage, black don't crack, but it, it can brown. Brown can brown. And when you brown, you are subject to issues like aging. You are subject to issues like a premature wrinkles as well as the issues of skin cancer and damage. It's the best thing you can do for yourself from a health standpoint and a vanity standpoint. It helps to protect against certain skin cancers, it diminishes hyperpigmentation, and it does help to prevent wrinkles from ultraviolet, AKA UV ray damage.

[Nancy Red]

So Nancy, you're standing in the sunscreen aisle at the pharmacy, at the store. There are tons of brands, there are so many SPFs, broad spectrum, other jargon. And I think it's really hard to tell what is marketing and what you really need. To pay attention to. So can you start at the beginning? What is spf? What is the minimum you'd recommend?

[Kyra Blackwell]

SPF itself stands for sun protection factor. Sun protection factor is how well a sunscreen protects against UVB rays. Okay. You can actually find sunscreens that are marked SPF 5, 50 and even 100. Now, the minimum that experts recommend is SPF 30. Okay. And when you look at the label, it will say broad spectrum, hopefully. Now, broad spectrum means that the sunscreen is shown to protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Kyra Blackwell]

So both of those. Anything that is more than sun protection factor 30 only marginally increases your protection. However, most of our body pics are SPF 50 and above.

[Nancy Red]

Why?

[Kyra Blackwell]

Well, because user error, such as not applying enough sunscreen to begin with and also not reapplying the required amount as often as directed.

[Nancy Red]

So we're going to get into that in a minute. I'm curious. SPF 70 and SPF 100, does that mean you have to reapply it less often than an SPF 5?

[Kyra Blackwell]

No, it's just like whether you eat a hamburger or whether you eat a gourmet five class meal, you probably are going to need dinner the next day. You should apply the the sunscreen according to the directions. We will almost always say every two hours or as needed. So if you're in the burning sun, perhaps you want to try to reapply more often than if you were in an office job and only go out every few hours or so.

[Nancy Red]

And Nancy, when you say UVA and uvb, what do we mean by that?

[Kyra Blackwell]

Both UVA and UVB rays are types of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. I love how an expert once described it to me as the A is for aging and the B is for burning. But both can cause skin cancer, so that's very important. I think sometimes people think, oh, well, UVA is just about aging, it's just about vanity. But no, no, no, no, no. UVB is known for sunburn, UVA is known for aging, but both can lead to skin cancer.

[Rosie Guerin]

Beyond spf, there are a couple different categories of sunscreen and the terms always really confuse me. So there's physical sunscreen, and that's sometimes called mineral sunscreen. And the second category is chemical sunscreens. Can you just break down what the difference is between the mineral and the chemical sunscreens?

[Kyra Blackwell]

The active ingredients in mineral sunscreens act like a barrier, like a physical barrier between you and the UV light. When you put a mineral sunscreen on your body, it's like Scattering the rays before they reach the skin surface. Right. It's like a. It's like bouncing off the active ingredients. And chemical sunscreens absorb the UV light, so they act in very different ways. Sometimes a sunscreen wants to both deflect and absorb, so they'll have a mix of both mineral and chemical active ingredients, like a dumber whammy, if you will. And those are referred to as combo sunscreens. Combination.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

And can you explain why anyone would choose one over the other?

[Kyra Blackwell]

Well, generally speaking, mineral and chemical sunscreens are equally as effective when they're applied correctly and when they're applied often enough. And this is why my experts unanimously say, whether they are doctors or people in the field, the best sunscreen is the one you will wear. Because one caveat with a mineral sunscreen is that many of them tend to be more difficult to rub into the skin and they can leave a white cast. But mineral sunscreens often are preferred by people with highly sensitive skin because the ingredients within are often less likely to irritate skin. Now, chemical sunscreens, they are often much easier to rub in, and they usually absorb a lot better into the skin. They're essentially invisible. But some people might not be totally comfortable with the idea of chemical sunscreens because of the perceived harm to their health. Now, this is very important at this moment to say that the fda, which regulates sunscreens that are sold in the US As a drug, is working very hard with sunscreen makers to determine the safety and efficacy of a dozen chemical active ingredients right now. In the meantime, there's no reason to stop using any sunscreen. Whatever sunscreen you have, use it. And I'll personally be honest, having covered sunscreen, hundreds of bottles of sunscreen over the last five and a half years, mineral sunscreens have gotten much better. Our mineral picks have become increasingly cosmetically elegant, which is the fancy term for they look good on your skin. Honestly, most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a quality mineral sunscreen and a chemic one after about 15 minutes, which is usually how long it takes for the lotions to fully dry down on the skin. That's why one of the instructions on the back of sunscreens usually are apply 15 minutes before going off into the world.

[Rosie Guerin]

I was wondering that because I always kind of assumed that the mineral sunscreen, because it was this physical blocker, like if you put it on, then you were good to go immediately. But that's not the case. Like you with any sunscreen, you really should be waiting about 15 minutes before you go out into the sun.

[Kyra Blackwell]

If there's one thing I have learned at this job, follow the instructions. They're there for you.

[Rosie Guerin]

Read the manual.

[Kyra Blackwell]

Read the instructions. Read the manual. Make the most of the products you buy by following the directions.

[Nancy Red]

Nancy, you've said they've gotten better aesthetically. Is that true even for us brown folks?

[Kyra Blackwell]

Oh, I totally understand, but you're operating with an old textbook. The new news is these very cosmetically elegant sunscreens are just beautiful. Our picks for mineral sunscreens, they are absolutely gorgeous on the skin and leave no, if not almost no white cast. I mean, some of my favorite things to do are to go and look at the reviews of our top picks and see all of the brown people who are like, oh my God, a mineral sunscreen I can actually wear. And I feel like my work is making a difference in the world.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

I haven't had the chance to try the new pick yet, Nancy, but I will say there is a caveat to the the really nice mineral sunscreens, right? Like, they're just not cheap.

[Kyra Blackwell]

They're not cheap. Oh, let me tell you, being bougie on a budget with sunscreen is rough and it's very disheartening to me. I take into consideration with our sunscreen guide just how expensive it is to take care of yourself. So, yes, mineral sunscreens tend to be a factor of seven or higher, more.

[Nancy Red]

Than chemical sunscreens, seven times more expensive.

[Kyra Blackwell]

So, for example, my favorite chemical pick sunscreen in our traditional sunscreen guide is the Equate Sport Giant bottle, which is the Walmart brand. It's the cheapest sunscreen we ever, we've ever tested. It's less than 40 cents an ounce. It comes in this amazing jug. If I say to people, hey, do you want to try this equate Sport Giant bottle of sunscreen? There will be some wrinkled noses, however. That's why I do brand concealed testing. And almost everyone who wears chemical sunscreens falls in love with it. Even more so than a lot of our more expensive sunscreens that we like. Now let's compare that to my new SPF bestie, which is Badger's SPF Adventure Mineral Cream. This is the new runner up to Thrive. These are mineral sunscreens. Badgers is fragrance free. It feels great. It looks great. It's only four ingredients. Zinc oxide, sunflower seed, beeswax, and vitamin E. But. But it's $6 an ounce. Okay, let's compare $6 an ounce to 40 cents an ounce. So if you're on a beach day and you're expecting to put an ounce of sunscreen, which is about a shot glasses worth, on your body, like six times a day. Six times six. That's $36 of sunscreen a day. That's not tenable for the average individual.

[Nancy Red]

So chemical, mineral, we talked about these two different types of sunscreens. Sometimes it's not clear in bold letters on the bottles what, what brand is what. How can you tell you are correct?

[Kyra Blackwell]

It is often difficult to tell. So you're not often going to be able to tell the whole story from the front of the bottle or the tube. You're going to need to turn around and check the active ingredients on the back of the bottle or tube. Now, in a mineral sunscreen, there will only be two active ingredients possible, either or, or a combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Now, chemical sunscreens, there's so many active ingredients and they've all got funny names like ibobenzone or homosalate or all kinds of long named ingredients. But basically, if you see anything other than zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in the active ingredient section, it's a chemical or combination sunscreen. If you see zinc oxide only, it's a mineral sunscreen. If you see titanium dioxide only, it's a mineral sunscreen. If you see zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, what is it, Kyra?

[Christine Cyrclassette]

A mineral sunscreen.

[Rosie Guerin]

There will be a quiz for everyone at the end of this episode.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

I always, I mean, whenever I was doing the facial sunscreen testing, I would still get duped. Sometimes I thought I was buying like an all mineral sunscreen, but then I would really look at the ingredients and realize, oh, crap, like I actually bought a combo because I won't say it on the bottom.

[Rosie Guerin]

You have to look at the ingredient list.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

I do, but as Nancy said, look at the label. And if you can't pronounce any of the words on it at that it's.

[Rosie Guerin]

A chemical, that it's chemical.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

On the other hand, if you look at it and it only says zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, then it's a mineral.

[Nancy Red]

And we're specifically talking about active ingredients because there will necessarily be other ingredients like fragrance and things like that, but active ingredients, that's what we're looking for.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

It'll be at the top of the ingredients box.

[Kyra Blackwell]

Gotcha. Absolutely. And I also can get duped. Some sunscreens use vague language like mineral plus or reef lovin. So it's always really good to check the ingredients. Like a lot of the more inexpensive Sunscreens that only use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, they often won't call themselves mineral sunscreens. They'll call themselves baby sunscreens, which I find interesting. And these sunscreens often are. I mean, I treat myself like a baby. I like to wear fragrance free items or no added fragrance items. I like to have fewer ingredients. So I always find that really interesting.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Right. The only difference between baby sunscreens and regular sunscreens is that the baby ones often avoid harsher ingredients. Like you're saying, Nancy. But grown ups can certainly use sunscreens marketed towards babies, and babies over six months old can use sunscreens that aren't marketed for them.

[Kyra Blackwell]

Yes.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

And the reason that we're saying six months and older is because babies that are younger than that are more susceptible to the side effects of sunscreen. So the best advice we can give you is just to keep your baby out of the sun altogether.

[Rosie Guerin]

Nancy. I like to use Korean sunscreens and Japanese sunscreens. These are kind of different sunscreens than are available here in the United States. Right. They have different active ingredients.

[Kyra Blackwell]

Well, Christine, I didn't know that you walked on the wild side like that. I didn't know I was. I was in the presence of a felon.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Oh, shh.

[Rosie Guerin]

Don't tell anybody.

[Kyra Blackwell]

Okay. I don't know. Big Brother could be listening to our podcast. And so therefore, I am going to stick to the fact that only sunscreens containing FDA approved active ingredients are okayed for sale in the United States.

[Rosie Guerin]

Well, I did buy my last batch in Japan, so.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Straight from the source.

[Rosie Guerin]

Straight from the source. But I mean, there's definitely sites that you can buy these sunscreens through.

[Kyra Blackwell]

Oh, it's easier than ever to purchase imported sunscreens, and many people do. And that's because the FDA hasn't approved any new sunscreen ingredients in nearly three decades now. We're trying, but trying is not results at this moment. And so other countries like the ones you mentioned, Japan, Korea, they've approved a variety of sunscreen filters that are reported to outperform FDA approved active ingredients in terms of protection. In particular, UVA protection. And what does the A stand for?

[Rosie Guerin]

Aging.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Aging, Exactly.

[Kyra Blackwell]

Right. So a lot of people like Christine, who has admitted her vanity, like to seek out products that pertain to their interests and also help them prevent skin cancer. You're not alone, Christine.

[Rosie Guerin]

Okay, good to know. What about European sunscreens? Those can also have different active ingredients than what you'd find in the States, right?

[Kyra Blackwell]

Absolutely. And I have spoken with the fda, everybody wants a solution. It's just hard to come to one of the experts I've spoken to use.

[Rosie Guerin]

The term quagmire for the European sunscreens. We've talked a bit on this show about how La Roche Posay is a, you know, like a pharmacy brand that you can now get in the States and they sell a pretty popular sunscreen line. Is the sunscreen that's available here from La Roche Posay, does it have those same active ingredients in Europe or is it, is it a different sunscreen they're selling here in US Pharmacies versus what you would buy, say, in France?

[Kyra Blackwell]

If it is on the shelves in American stores, you can best believe it only has either the two active mineral ingredients that the FDA has approved, one of the chemical active ingredients that the FDA has approved, or a combination of the two, the fancy brands that are sold in America. There's not a single chemical active ingredient that has been approved since 1999. So there's nothing new.

[Nancy Red]

Okay, quick recap. With sunscreen, you gotta be wearing it all year round, every day, all day. You gotta be wearing it in the snow, in the rain, in the sunshine, all four seasons. And you gotta be looking for SPF 30 or above. Ideally, you also can consider your choices. Chemical sunscreen, mineral sunscreen, or maybe a combo. Mineral sunscreens are going to contain active ingredients and those act like a physical barrier between you and UV light. Chemical sunscreens are going to contain active ingredients that absorb UV light. And again, the biggest slam dunk takeaway so far, sunscreen all day, every day.

[Rosie Guerin]

We're going to take a quick break and when we come back, we'll discuss some of the most surprising things that you've found, Nancy, in your sunscreen reporting, including how much sunscreen you should really be wearing, what people should know about quote, unquote, reef safe sunscreens, and other things that people might want to consider when protecting themselves from the sun. We'll be right back.

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[Nancy Red]

Welcome back. So Nancy, in addition to broad spectrum, another term I've seen on bottles of sunscreen is quote reef safe. What does that mean? And is that something we should be gravitating toward?

[Kyra Blackwell]

Okay, well step one, some sunscreens may be marketed as reef safe. Okay. And there's many definitions that exist for this term. Regulations vary location to location, but there is no such thing as a totally reef safe sunscreen, only reef friendly. Or I like to say reef safer. But the truth of the matter is is reefs are suffering because of some sunscreen ingredients. Okay, Some sunscreen ingredients can be harmful to marine life and marine life includes coral reefs. So if you're going into a place with reefs, like Hawaii, for example, you need to be using a very specific kind of sunscreen when you're going into the ocean. So what you need to do is look for sunscreens that utilize non nanoactive minerals. So you should be looking for non nano titanium dioxide or non nano zinc oxide in a mineral sunscreen. And essentially the particles of titanium dioxide or zinc oxide aren't small enough to be easily absorbed or ingested by marine life.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

And really the research says, or at least the most recent research says that non nanoparticles are thought to be be better than any other sunscreen ingredients, but they're still not doing zero harm. So the safest choice for marine life is to wear sun protective clothing in the ocean like rash guards and no sunscreen at all. But if you really want to wear sunscreen, go with something non nano. And Nancy, what are your recommendations in that category of quote unquote reef safer sunscreens?

[Kyra Blackwell]

Okay, so I love our picks so much. Anyone who's looking for sunscreen to take with them on their next fabulous trip, I recommend three brands or we as a collective. Because contrary to popular belief, this isn't just me sitting around rubbing sunscreen on my body. I test these things on so many people a year. I test them on everyone from my mom with her older, darker skin. I test things on my brother with his beard. I test things on my children, my family, my colleagues. And I just had an amazing pool day where we all got together and tested different sunscreens from all of this very careful look and feel conversation. We recommend three reef safer brands. Thrive, thinksport and Badger.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Where was my invite to this pool party?

[Kyra Blackwell]

Girl, you have got to come back to Los Angeles.

[Rosie Guerin]

What did the panelists like the most this year?

[Kyra Blackwell]

Okay, so this has been a really fun year. Like I said, every year the sunscreen gets better and better. We did a ton of brand concealed evaluations where we focused on look and feel. So we've got our tried and true for a few years now. Thrive, which is a reef friendly mineral sunscreen, the beloved sunscreen that is Banana Boat Light as air. Now it's a chemical sunscreen, but it's a great one. I mean it dries down. Kyra, you can back me up. It's got a great dry down. Dry down is the fancy way of saying how does it feel on your skin after 15 minutes? Is it tacky? Is it greasy? Do you feel it? And it truly is light as air. Fun fact, the Banana Boat face sunscreen and the Banana Boat body sunscreen is the exact same sunscreen. Right, Kyra?

[Christine Cyrclassette]

But they will charge you extra if you don't look at the label and you buy the face sunscreen. They will charge you extra for that.

[Rosie Guerin]

That's a hot spot.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

So look at it.

[Rosie Guerin]

I like that.

[Kyra Blackwell]

I know. Okay. And then of course I've already talked ad nauseam about my favorite long time pick, the Equate Sport Giant bottle, which is the cheapest sunscreen we've ever tested at less than 40 cents an ounce. But almost everyone who wears chemical sunsc falls in love with it. The caveat is it does smell like a medicine cabinet. Lovely when it, when you first put it on. Okay. But that is the price you pay to have a jug of sunscreen for $13. Okay. Now like I said earlier, my new SPF bestie. I'm telling you guys, Badger's SPF 50 Adventure Mineral Cream. It's the new runner up to Thrive in the Reef Safe guide. Like I said, it's fragrance free, it feels great, it looks great. But $6 an ounce, I mean, bless whoever has that in their budget.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Nancy, now that we've got a basic understanding of sunscreen and how it works, I want to talk to you about the things people may be doing wrong with their sunscreens. See, I, I learned so many surprising things when I was working on the Wirecutter guide for Face sunscreens. So I kind of wanted to reveal to the people some of our findings in the form of a game. So we're going to give you a scenario and you're going to tell us what's wrong with this picture and explain why. Are you ready?

[Kyra Blackwell]

I'm ready.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Okay, scenario one. On a hot summer day, I'll dab a little sunscreen on my face and my body when I go outside.

[Kyra Blackwell]

I mean, would you drink a thimbleful of water if you felt dehydrated? So, no. You should be applying at least an ounce of sunscreen to your whole body if you're going to be exposed to the sun. Now, what does an ounce look like? People say a shot glass full. Basically fill your whole palm full, divided in two and slather that all around your body, making sure to get all of the crevices and creeks and crannies. And when in doubt, put more on. Like what? I would rather be slightly more greasy than to not have a protected spot.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Yeah. When I was working on sunscreens, my motto became more is more, because you can never have too much, only too little.

[Nancy Red]

Okay, Nancy, scenario two. I slather sunscreen all over my face and body right before I go out, and I'm set for the day.

[Kyra Blackwell]

Now, this is actually something I also Learned in my 5 and a half years here because let she amongst us who has not just slathered once and thought they were done for the day, throw the first bottle of sunscreen because I did not realize that its efficacy wears off or it wears off. So you should be reapplying sunscreen approximately every two hours. Hours or more often, Especially if you're swimming or sweating. I recommend setting a phone timer. Continue to reapply. Just like one glass of water isn't enough in the morning, you need to drink water throughout the day. One application of sunscreen is also not enough.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Okay, next scenario. It's the dead of a gloomy winter, and I'm all bundled up all the time, so the only area of skin exposed is my face. So I don't wear any sunscreen.

[Kyra Blackwell]

That's the part that many people care about most. So I definitely would suggest that you wear sunscreen on that exposed skin. And what a lot of people don't realize is often winter sun with the reflection of the snow can be even harsher on your skin. Right? So definitely still wear sunscreen in the winter on that exposed skin. At least half a teaspoon of sunscreen on your face, neck, and ears. Don't forget your ears. Don't forget behind the ears. Don't forget inside the ear. Just get your ears, people. And like you said, Kyra, as you learned when you did the Face sunscreen guide, more is more.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Yeah. Also, half a teaspoon can be kind of hard to measure out when you're just slathering sunscreen on your face. But what I learned is that if you put out just your index and your middle finger and you line those two fingers with sunscreen, that should be enough for that entire area.

[Nancy Red]

There you go. Okay, here's another scenario. What if I'm at the pool and I use spray sunscreen to get all of my kind of hard to reach nooks and crannies? What do you think?

[Kyra Blackwell]

I think that you probably didn't get all the hard to reach nooks and crannies because we don't really recommend any spray sunscreens. We totally understand their appeal. So over the years, we've asked many experts about spray sunscreens unanimously. They're like, spray sunscreens are not a good choice. And that's for a couple of reasons. Number one, you might be thinking it's getting those nooks and crannies, but it's not. A lot of of the sunscreen sprays away in the wind. And the funny thing is, to get the sunscreen onto your skin, even after you spray it, you still have to rub it in. So you're not even skipping a step. You actually are adding a less effective step by using spray sunscreen. Plus, if you can smell the spray, you're inhaling it. And experts tell us that that poses a potential health risk.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Okay, Nancy, after I wash my face in the morning, I apply my sunscreen first and then my moisturizer.

[Kyra Blackwell]

Well, that's better than no sunscreen. So step one, I give you an A for effort, but I give you a B for these steps, because our experts always tell us that sunscreen should be the last step in your skincare routine. We wash our face, we do our skin care, and then you apply the sunscreen, let it set, and then put on your makeup if you're going to wear any.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Right.

[Nancy Red]

Okay. I've got another scenario for you, Nancy. I'm wearing a foundation with SPF 30 in it so I don't have to wear sunscreen. True.

[Kyra Blackwell]

Not true. Because of the parameters around how much sunscreen is enough. Right. So you'd need to use a lot of makeup. Like half a teaspoon is more foundation than most people would normally wear in order to get the full SPF 30 protection. Right. So still wear your sunscreen. There's no harm. It would be difficult to wear enough Makeup to effectively get the full SPF 30 sun protection.

[Nancy Red]

So again, if you happen to get a little bit more, it's Kyra's more is more adage.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Always more is more.

[Rosie Guerin]

Okay, I'm gonna take the last one. So let's say I don't trust that sunscreen actually works. And I think it'll do more harm than good to my health. Say, like, the chemicals will absorb into my skin and cause canc. Um, so I don't wear it at all.

[Kyra Blackwell]

Well, we know Christine doesn't believe this because she's like, hopping planes to Japan, but of course, we all know that's not true. However, it's understandable how people can get the wrong idea. Everybody makes the choices they want to make in their life. We here at Wirecutter, I think it's very important to wear sunscreen. It is possible to find a sunscreen that should work for you. But if you're just like, no, nope, absolutely not. You're gonna have to be dedicated to wearing sun protective clothing. Now, sun protective clothing is amazing. You've all seen people with those big old floppy hats, the masks, the jackets, the ponchos, the umbrella. Kudos. If that's the life you choose to live, you're still protecting yourself from the sun. UPF clothing is what you're going to want to look for. You're going to want to look for ultraviolet protection factor. Now, UPF is to fabric what SPF is to sunscreens. And there are some specifically manufactured UPF clothes, like rash guards for surfers. All clothing offers some protection against UV rays, but not all fabrics are protective like ones that are specifically manufactured. So you're going to want to look for thicker, darker fabrics that are more protective than light, light thin colored ones. And if you can find a looser fit that's more baggy, that's not skin tight, it's more protective.

[Rosie Guerin]

All right, that's good to know. I will not be wearing my Eileen Fisher, middle aged lady look to protect myself from the sun. I will be wearing polyester bag over my body, Right?

[Nancy Red]

Yeah.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

With an umbrella.

[Kyra Blackwell]

I think I saw one on the Runway this fashion week, so there's always one. You're in vogue.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Okay, Nancy, before we wrap, we always ask our guests one final question. What's the last thing you've bought that you've really loved?

[Kyra Blackwell]

I love this question. I buy so many things that I love. This is the best job for me because I love to shop, I love to analyze things, and I'm really thoughtful about the things I Buy. I think the last thing I bought that I really love is this bag that I have been eyeing this backpack for at least seven or eight months. It's the Tobic. It's this backpack with all these compartments. I got the biggest one, which is 60 liters. It has like 18 compartments. It's this giant backpack that can also serve as a carry on suitcase.

[Nancy Red]

Nancy, I'm listening.

[Kyra Blackwell]

Oh my God. It's amazing. The Instagram ads got me. I am an Instagram mom and my phone knows me better than I know myself. So I bought bought the bag and I bought it at a time last month where I could get the new free people collab. So it's these really cool rainbow colors and it's so beautiful and I love it. And it carries all my stuff. It has a huge laptop compartment. I mean, I have like 10 giant backpacks. So adding this one was especially. Cause it was like 200 bucks. I was like, do I need this? And then I got it and I was like, I need this. The Tobic 60 liter backpack bag.

[Nancy Red]

I love it. Nancy, thank you so much for joining us. Really appreciate it.

[Kyra Blackwell]

I love you so much. This is great.

[Nancy Red]

Nancy Red, what a delight.

[Rosie Guerin]

I love her.

[Nancy Red]

A wealth of knowledge, but also just an absolute delight.

[Rosie Guerin]

Yeah, I'm never gonna forget the uva. Uvb. Aging, aging and burning. Now I understand.

[Nancy Red]

I love that my takeaway from this episode is just how much sunscreen I need to be putting on on my whole body. I think I've been really good about coverage on my face, but I gotta make sure that I'm doing enough on my arms and my legs and my hands. I can't have, you know, my toes wrinkling.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Yeah. That's why price per ounce is so important. Like, you might feel like you're really in the weeds when you're looking at something like that. But when you have to use like a shot glass worth of sunscreen on your body every day, that really does add up.

[Rosie Guerin]

Or every two hours if you're outside in the sun a lot.

[Kyra Blackwell]

Right?

[Nancy Red]

Yeah.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

And also one thing that I really wanted to highlight again was just Nancy's point about reef safe sunscreens. Because I feel like there's a lot of intentional confusion around that. I want to press people to look a little bit deeper into any sunscreens that they're picking up, hoping that they will be reef safe to just do a little extra digging and research to make sure that it is those non nano titanium dioxide or zinc oxide ingredients. Because otherwise it isn't actually reef safe.

[Rosie Guerin]

Yeah, I didn't know that before and now I will know to look for that. My big takeaway from this episode is that I am breaking the law that I am un American and I am buying sunscreen that I'm not supposed to be buying here in the United States. But I love it and I will probably continue doing it.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

CCC on the lamb.

[Rosie Guerin]

The other big takeaway I have is that I know a lot of people who do end up like ponying up for the La Roche posay, like the European brand sunscreens at the pharmacy. And those are great. They might feel great, but you should not buy them thinking that they have the actual active ingredients that are sold in sunscreens in Europe. If they're being sold in a pharmacy here in the States, they are not going to have those active ingredients. They will have active ingredients that are FDA approved here. So you're essentially buying a a U.S. sunscreen that might feel fancier.

[Nancy Red]

If you want to find out more about Wirecutters coverage or if you want to check out any of the products that Nancy recommended today in addition to any of her reporting on sunscreen, go to our website or you can find a link in our show notes. And that is it for us this week. If you're going to sunbathe, put on that sunscreen.

[Rosie Guerin]

That's right.

[Nancy Red]

Peace.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

Bye.

[Rosie Guerin]

The Wirecutter show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel. Engineering support from Mattie Mazziello and Nick Pittman. Today's episode was mixed by Katherine Anderson. Original music by Dan Patrick Powell, Marian Lozano, Alicia Ba? Itup and Diane Wong. Wirecutter's deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Fruman is Wirecutter's editor in chief. I'm Christine Cyrclassette.

[Christine Cyrclassette]

I'm Kyra Blackwell.

[Nancy Red]

And I'm Rosie Garant.

[Rosie Guerin]

Thanks for listening. It's like you can smoke it but you can't sell it sort of a thing.

[Unknown]

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