MCT

By Leigh Grogan
McClatchy Newspapers

When the sun is shining, chances are good that it's beaming down right on you.

But you're wearing sunscreen ... right?

Take this quiz:

What's your sunscreen's SPF (sun protection factor) number?

Are you protected from both ultraviolet A rays (which promote premature aging and skin cancer) and the faster-burning B rays?

Do you know the active ingredients in your sunscreen?

How much are you using and how often?

OK, so no one likes to be hounded about sunscreen _ especially kids _ but statistics rarely lie, and this one is alarming:

According to a recent Mayo Clinic study, nearly 30 percent of adults say they don't use sunscreen at all, despite the fact that 1.3 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year _ 90 percent of which are caused by sun exposure.

So, repeat after me: Apply your sunscreen _ every day, year-round. Certainly, during the warm-weather months, it seems more of a no-brainer, with trips to the beach, park and pool. But even a brisk walk around the block at lunchtime or a weekend drive to the grocery store sets you up for an encounter with the sun.

To make it easier to select sunscreens that work best for you and your family, we sought out some experts and tried out a variety of products ourselves.

Here's what we found.

Patricia Alfonso Tortolani, a senior editor at Allure magazine, and her staff routinely check out sunscreens for effectiveness and ease of application. She's also up on the latest innovations.

"The term `broad spectrum coverage' means a product should contain ingredients that protect against both UVA and UVB rays," she says.

"For example, Mexoryl is now approved by the FDA to target UVA rays. It's in Lancome's UV Expert 20 sunscreen. And a similar ingredient, Helioplex, is in most Neutrogena sunscreens."

Other ingredients to look for to combat UVA rays are Avobenzone and Oxybenzone. And, of course, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are already pretty well-known. (Think lifeguard noses). You'll recognize the latter two ingredients by the white sheen they often leave on the skin. (With products containing these ingredients, allow extra time for them to sink in.)

Next up? Well, sunscreen wipes are not necessarily new, but they have become increasingly popular.

"They're easy to apply to your face, neck and shoulders as opposed to a lotion," Tortolani says. "And you won't have a leaky bottle."

If you're looking for other advancements, consider Coppertone's new QuickCover Lotion Spray in four formulas, each with an SPF 50.

Because it's a lotion, it's more moisturizing. And like its predecessor, Coppertone Continuous Spray, which came out in 2005, it can be applied at any angle _ just get the kids to turn, rotisserie style. It can be sprayed in hard-to-reach places, even upside down.

There also have been some improvements made to self-tanners _ products that traditionally have had to be applied in conjunction with a sunscreen because tanners lacked SPF.

Now, there are numerous self-tanners that gradually add color and contain an SPF, most of them between 15 and 30. California Tan, Clarins and Neutrogena Summer Glow are three examples.

WHEN, WHERE AND HOW MUCH?

"Let's make it really simple," says Dr. Emil Tanghetti, a Sacramento dermatologist.

"Many sunscreens are inadequate when it comes to protecting against UVA light," he says. "After a while, they sweat off, wash off or wear off."

So be vigilant and reapply, reapply, reapply.

"If you can avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., that's best," Tanghetti says.

He also suggests protective clothing, something in a lightweight nylon-polyester blend that wicks moisture. And avoid wearing dark colors. They absorb light.

"When I work outside, I wear a hat with a brim, a long-sleeve shirt, and I apply sunscreen to my face, neck and hands," he says.

But don't forget the backs of your knees, the tops of your feet, ears and exposed scalp areas.

And don't wait until you're outdoors. It's recommended that you apply sunscreen 30 minutes ahead of time.

"The best approach for kids is to catch them and get the sunscreen on them _ fast," advises J. Frank Nash, a scientist with Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati.

"Apply and then reapply liberally, covering the spots you missed the first time."

Tanghetti adds that he hounds his older patients (especially golfers) the most because they're more predisposed to skin cancer.

"Certainly, we need to protect kids, but if they get (burned), they repair like gangbusters," Tanghetti says. "At 70, it's not worth a damn because the repair mechanisms slow as we age."

As for how much sunscreen to use, most dermatologists recommend that an adult apply the equivalent of a shot glass full of sunscreen; a heaping tablespoon is usually ample for young kids.

What you pay for sunscreens depends on where you shop: department stores (Clarins, Clinique) vs. drugstores (Banana Boat, Bullfrog). Prestige labels can cost three times more _ $25 as opposed to $8.

LOOKING AHEAD

Stay tuned. The Food and Drug Administration has a say in what the active ingredients are in sunscreens. That's because they're considered over-the-counter drugs.

Currently, the agency (after more than eight years of research) is close to issuing new rulings on how suncreens are tested and labeled for their efficacy.

What does this mean for the consumer? You should be able to find out how well a product lives up to its SPF, as well as how well it blocks those deeper damaging UVA rays.

In the meantime, the Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Working Group has released its report on name-brand sunscreens, listing what it believes are safe and effective. You can check out those findings at www.ewg.org.

SUNSCREEN PICKS

Our five picks for sun-protection products that do double duty _ and then some.

California Tan self-tanner, SPF 15

What's new: Using both a sunscreen and a self-tanner typically requires two steps. California Tan combines the two in this lotion formula, which develops a bronze look in two to four hours, with the added benefit of a sunscreen. Note: This product probably is not the best bet for the beach because you need to wash your hands after using it.

Cost: $28; visit www.californiatan.com for store/salon locations.

Burt's Bees Chemical-Free Sunscreen with Hemp Seed Oil

What's new: This company opted to create a sunscreen free of some of the chemicals that may irritate skin. This version has titanium dioxide and hemp seed oil to prevent moisture loss. Calendula and wheatgrass extract are also natural sources for skin protection.

Cost: $14.99 at drugstores and specialty, health and beauty stores.

Lancome UV Expert 20 with Mexoryl SX

What's new: Mexoryl SX is an FDA-approved ingredient for filtering both UVA and UVB rays. The focus, however, is definitely on the deeper- damaging UVA rays, which can contribute to premature aging and skin cancer. This product, which can be used on the face and body, is water-resistant and has an SPF of 20.

Cost: $35 at department stores and Sephora.

Coppertone QuickCover Lotion Spray

What's new: This product takes spray technology one step further by making it more apparent where the sunscreen goes so parents and kids don't miss a spot. Its four formulas are all SPF 50 and have Avobenzone to block both UVA and UVB rays. Plus: It's not greasy and absorbs quickly.

Cost: $7.99-$9.99 at drugstores, supermarkets and discount retailers.

Clinique City Block Sheer Oil-Free Face Protector

What's new: If you worry about clogged pores from using a rich sunscreen on your face, this version of City Block is oil-free with an SPF 25. It even has a slight tint so you can probably forgo the extra step of applying a foundation.

Cost: $16.50 at department stores and Sephora.