Remember when tanning was cool? The long lines of beach chairs with greasy bodies determined to get a tan? Remember coconut oil? Remember reflectors? Remember when Mom told us not to be a paleface? If only we had known then what we know now. Now we eat coconut oil in foods. Reflectors have gone the way of the tanning Barbie. Now we know all those years in the sun have left us with wrinkles and skin cancers. Now we know that we should be doing exactly the opposite of what was recommended in the 1960’s and 1970’s. And that the last thing we need is more sun. Still, with all we know, "sun lotion" is used interchangeably with sunscreens, sun blocks, sun filters, tanning lotions and tanning screens. But they’re different and the smart SunAWARE consumer needs to know the difference.

The key is to concentrate on the second word in each term. For example, sun lotion, the oldest term around, came to us in the 1950s. It means that the product contains chemicals that keep the skin moisturized while we’re sunbathing. It was usually advertised as enhancing tans. As knowledge about the harmful effects of the sun grew, sunscreens were developed in the 1970s. These products screen out UVB (the rays of the sun that burn the outer layer or epidermis of the skin.) Sun block means just that. The product contains a chemical such as zinc oxide that actually blocks the sun’s rays.

Used to be that sun lotions only moisturized the skin. Now they can also act as sun screens or sun blocks. When the term screen is used, it means that the product "screens" out the sun’s rays. When the term block is used, it means the product blocks the sun’s rays from reaching the skin. Today, both screen and blocking products are available in what’s called "broad spectrum." That means they screen or block both UVA and UVB rays.

Sunscreen can be produced as lotions, gels, foams and sticks. While sunscreen may contain moisturizers, they may not be the main ingredients. Always look for sunscreens with a SPF30 or higher if you know you will be outdoors. If you are wearing it as part of your daily moisturizing routine, SPF15 should suffice.

Block means to physically block out sunrays. To do this, the product ingredients must contain chemicals that reflect UVR away from the skin. These would include zinc oxide, micronized zinc, etc., avobenzone or titanium dioxide. Sun blocks usually come in the form of lotion or creams for easy application. My best advice is to wear a sun block when you’re outdoors especially on skin not covered with sun protective clothing.

When you are buying any kind of sun lotion, think about when you will use it. Read the label. Remember to focus on the second word. Sun protective clothing is always the first and best method of sun protection with sunscreen or block used only on exposed skin. Determine a strategy, for example, when swimming use a sun block on the face and a sunscreen on the legs. legs. Buy a few different small samples and decide which feels the best and is easiest to apply

But whatever your strategy, be safe. Protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun.