Some people find choosing a sunscreen overwhelming with so many options. Now, new research suggests higher SPF sunscreens may be your best bet to avoid sunburn.

A recent study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that SPF 100 was more protective than SPF  50.  

“This was a real-use study, where people actually used it,  as opposed to  testing it in a lab. Because people under-apply sunscreen, the higher SPF is more-forgiving.  And that’s really what the advantage was – for the average user, if they put on a little less or skimp or a little bit, they’re still getting strong protection. says Dr. Darrell Rigel, one of the study’s authors.
 
Researchers compared SPF 50 versus 100 on skiers in Colorado. The study found the SPF 50 side of the face was 11 times more likely to burn compared to the SPF 100 side.
Dr. Rigel advises choosing a sunscreen that’s SPF 30 or higher.

And he explains, “You want to look for the words “broad spectrum”  – because that means it protects ultraviolet a and ultraviolet b rays. “You want something that’s water resistant  –water resistant 80 minutes.  That’s the maximum of protection.

He also recommends re-applying sunscreen at least every two hours

The study was funded by Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc.