Product Reviews: Sunscreen

The health and beauty of your skin depends on how diligent you are about sun protection. The facts about the sun's effects on the skin have been well known for years, and there are hundreds of sun care products on the market to meet the needs of all different skin types and price points.

Drugstore Sunscreens

You can generally get a decent sunscreen formula for $10 or less at your local drugstore, discount store, or supermarket. Look for a sunscreen that offers an SPF of 30 or higher. It should also be non-greasy and preferably water-resistant. Banana Boat Sport Performance SPF 30 Lotion (average price; $8.99) meets all these requirements. It's a very effective, lightweight lotion that will stay on your skin even after sweating or getting splashed by the ocean surf.

Spray mist sunscreens are ultra-convenient. They help you avoid the mess of getting lotion all over your hands, and they make it easier to put sunscreen on hard-to-reach places like your back. Some people aren't crazy about spray sunscreens because some of these products have a strong smell of alcohol and might give skin a shiny greasy appearance. Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock SPF 45 (average price; $9.99) gives your skin a burst of coolness that's a breath of fresh air on a hot sunny day. Many users find this product to be quick-drying and pleasant-smelling.

If you're a serious water person, you might have a hard time finding a sunscreen that really lasts. While reapplying sunscreen frequently during activities is recommended, you don't want to use a sunscreen that becomes totally useless after an hour in the water. For sun protection with truly amazing staying power, try Bull Frog SPF 36 Surfer Formula Gel. The clear, citrus-scented gel absorbs into your skin instantly and keeps going strong for up to 8 hours!

Department Store Sunscreen

Sunscreen you find in department stores or at cosmetics shops are similar to drugstore products in that they provide a certain level of SPF protection. The difference with higher-end sunscreens is that they usually have some extra features, for example, they might offer rich moisturizing ingredients, more in-depth wrinkle protection, or a less sunscreen-like scent.