Sure, you can just walk into the store and grab the first bottle or tube of men’s sunscreen you see. In fact, that’s probably the approach most consumers use. But to truly select the best men’s sunscreen for you, there’s a lot to consider.
Performance, appearance, ingredients…if you really want optimal performance without sacrificing safety, you’ll need to do a little homework. The purpose of this piece is not to provide a thesis paper on sunscreen, but more so the basics. When it comes to education, the basic foundation is the alphabet.
So, let’s get started. Here are the ABC’s of sunscreen.
A
Antioxidants
These compounds help protect the body’s cells from damage caused by outside forces. Although antioxidants naturally exist within the human body, they are also found in certain plants, vegetables, foods and other products. Certain sunscreens also possess antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E, which work to reduce the effect of the sun’s rays on your skin, ultimately minimizing or eliminating the damage they cause.
B
Broad Spectrum
To properly shield your skin from the sun, you must guard against both UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays are what actually causes your skin to burn, while UVA rays create wrinkles and premature aging. A broad spectrum sunscreen simply means it has ingredients and properties to effectively protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.
C
Cancer
By now you should be well aware that overexposure to the sun can contribute to skin cancer. While there is no way to prevent skin cancer, wearing sunscreen when outdoors can absolutely reduce your risk of getting it. It is estimated that 20% of Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer at some point in their lives, so there is a real threat and taking proper precautionary steps is wise.
D
Dermatologist recommended
We’ve seen commercials with “4 out of 5 doctors recommend” or “4 out of 5 dentists recommend” for years. Well, men’s sunscreen is no different. Some ingredients and products are more safe and protective of your skin than others, and who better to make that determination than a dermatologist? While manufacturers can play fast and loose with this claim, it’s at least a step in the right direction when finding the right sunscreen for you. Jacket sunscreen is not only recommended by a dermatologist, the formula was created by one. That’s protection and performance you can trust!
E
Everywhere
If you live a life without limits, you want — need — a sunscreen that can keep up. If you’re an avid outdoorsman, you know the terrain and temperatures can be extreme. The last thing you need — other than a sunburn — is to be constantly reapplying sunscreen throughout the day because of water or sweat. What you do need is a men’s sunscreen that can go everywhere and hold up to even the harshest elements.
F
Face
Sure you can apply any sunscreen to any body parts, but be sure to give your face the gentle care it deserves. You not only want maximum protection and a sunscreen that won’t easily wash off, but also one that isn’t overly abrasive or that won’t clog pores.
G
Greasy
So many men’s sunscreens are greasy. That’s not a good look and it definitely doesn’t feel good. To look and feel your best, use a sunscreen with a non-greasy formula that goes on smooth. Hey, whattya’ know…Jacket does that!
H
Healthy
We all want to be healthy, but do we truly do everything possible to make it possible? Quit smoking, eat better, exercise more…the list goes on and on. But being healthy also includes skin care. Our skin is exposed to the sun’s harmful rays each and every day. A men’s sunscreen should not only protect you from this, but also include anti-aging properties and natural ingredients that won’t put your skin at greater risk of danger.
I
Ingredients
Everybody is busy and time is precious, but it really is important to understand what you’re putting on your skin and how it can protect you. Take some time to research the many ingredients that are used by various sunscreen manufacturers to determine which is the best and safest for you.
J
Jacket
Looking for the perfect sunscreen for men? Look no further than Jacket. Water resistant up to 80 minutes and featuring a 50+ SPF, this natural, non-greasy formula goes on smooth and stays on long. Water resistant up to 80 minutes, Jacket not only protects the skin from both UVA and UVB rays, but also has anti-aging elements and actually repairs your skin’s previous damage while working to prevent new damage from occurring.
K
Knowledge
As the old adage goes, knowledge is power. That applies to sun safety as well. The more you know, the better you’ll be. Take proper precautions when outdoors to ensure you have nothing but fun in the sun!
L
Lotion
When it comes to suncare products, there are various types of formulas and consistencies, each with a different objective. The offerings include lotions, oils and creams. If you’re like most, you’ve never really given much thought to how they differ. In fact, you probably just assumed they all did the same thing. Not true! Lotions and creams are pretty similar. They tend to have higher SPF ratings and seep deeper into the skin when applied to provide maximum protection against harmful rays. For more about oils, see “O.”
M
Men
This isn’t breaking news, but men and women are built differently. When it comes to caring for their bodies, they have separate needs. That’s why deodorants, hair-care products, etc. are, oftentimes, created specifically for men or women. While any of these products can be used by both sexes, for best results it is smart to use products made for your specific gender. Sunscreen is no different.
N
Natural Ingredients
Take a look at the list of ingredients on the back of sunscreen bottles. If you can’t pronounce them, there’s a good chance they’re not natural. There are so many natural herbs and substances that are effective in combating the sun’s harmful rays, and using a sunscreen that incorporates these ingredients is better for your overall and long-term health.
O
Oils
Unlike lotions, oils are used for those seeking deeper, darker tans. They have lower SPF and are not nearly as protective. Oils are not recommended for most skin types and should be used only by those who already have established tans.
P
Protection
Sunscreen exists for one reason — to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Regardless of what brand you buy, it is absolutely essential that you wear sunscreen. As if getting a sunburn is enough of a deterrent, failing to use protection also leads to premature aging and an increased risk of developing skin cancer, which can be deadly.
Q
Questions
As we stated in the intro, this is just a quick overview about sunscreen. If you have additional questions or if you want more information, visit the FAQ page on our website (https://jacketsunscreen.com/faq/) or shoot us a message on our Contact page (https://jacketsunscreen.com/contact/).
R
Repairs
Some men’s sunscreens have ingredients that not only protect your skin from harmful rays and help prevent premature aging, but also repair your sin while applied.
S
SPF
Sun Protection Factor, or SPF, is a number assigned to a men’s sunscreen that indicates how long it will protect you from UVB rays, which are what cause sunburns and increase your risk of skin cancer. Certain antioxidants actually work to reverse the effects of aging caused by prior sun damage, such as dark spots.
T
Tan
Although men’s sunscreens are designed to prevent sunburns, they do allow users to develop tans when properly used on a consistent basis over extended periods of time.
U
UVA and UVB
These are two types of harmful ultraviolet sun rays that damage the skin. UVA rays cause premature aging such as wrinkles and sunspots, while UVB rays burn the skin and have the potential to cause skin cancer.
V
Vision
This is a little off topic but it’s also important to protect your eyes when out in the sun. While men’s sunscreen can’t help here (although it absolutely should be applied to the eyelids during times of lengthy sun exposure), sunglasses should be worn at all times or as often as possible. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays can lead to various forms of eye damage including vision loss.
W
Water Resistant
Being outdoors often means being in or around water. Therefore, it is important to find a men’s sunscreen that is water resistant — some say “waterproof,” but be skeptical) — to maximize protection and minimize the need to reapply.
X
X-Ray
The sun’s UVA and UVB rays are forms of radiation and, like an X-Ray you would receive in a hospital or imaging center, overexposure is detrimental to your health.
Y
Youthful
No, men’s sunscreen can’t reverse the aging process, but the sun definitely wreaks havoc on the skin and leaves it looking older and weathered. To keep a youthful appearance, or at the very least to continue looking your actual age, apply men’s sunscreen anytime you’ll be outdoors for an extended period of time.
Z
Zinc Oxide
This mineral is considered the most effective ingredient for protecting the skin from the sun’s harmful rays.