Sunscreen is an important part of your weekend routine, even if you are only spending an hour or two outside. If you don’t protect yourself from the sun, you put yourself at risk of developing skin cancer. Over 2 millions people annually are diagnosed with skin cancer.

As skin cancer awareness increases, more and more people are heeding their doctor’s advice to protect themselves while having fun outdoors in the summer. But with all of the new sunscreen products available in your local drugstore, how do you choose the right type of sunscreen for you?

Learn more about when to use specific sun care products with this short guide:

• Spray sunscreen

Use if: You are by yourself and need to cover hard to reach places like the center of your back, or if you need a quick even coat of sunscreen without the mess.
Do not use if: You will be in the water for an extended amount of time. Most spray sunscreens are not waterproof.

• SPF 30 and above

Use if: You have fair skin and burn easily, or if you will be outdoors longer than a few hours.
Do not use if: You get a false sense of safety from a high SPF product. Sunscreen only protects you from UVB rays, not UVA rays. If you put on a high SPF sunscreen once and think that it’s ok to stay in the sun all day with no other form of protection, you will still be exposing yourself to UVA rays.

• SPF 25 and below

Use if: You will be outdoors for a short length of time, for example shopping and walking from store to store, or if you have darker skin, or if you are just out doing errands.
Do not use if: You will be outdoors for an extended amount of time. Instead, use a higher SPF.

• Waterproof

Use if: You will be sweating heavily by competing in sports in the heat, or you will be swimming.
Do not us if: You have oily skin and are applying sunscreen to your face. Waterproof sunscreens clog pores.

• Water resistant

Use if: You sweat a little or will be doing a water activity like fishing or boating.
Do not use if: You will be emerged in water or you sweat excessively. Excessive sweating especially from your forehead can cause water resistant sunscreen to drip into your eyes.

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