Choose a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation and has a high to very high protection, i.e. SPF 30–50+. Sunscreens that also provide good protection against UVA radiation have a UVA symbol (the letters UVA in a round ring) on ​​the packaging. In addition, we recommend choosing a photostable sunscreen, which means that it does not lose its effect when you are in the sun.

Do your skin a favor by choosing a product that doesn't contain perfume. Many perfumes are allergenic substances and their effects can be intensified when exposed to direct sunlight.

In order to get the right protection from the sun's harmful UV rays, it is good to keep track of the UV index in your area - depending on the level it is at, you can choose a higher or lower sun protection. The UV index is an international standard used to measure how intense (ie harmful) the UV rays are in a specified location and at a specified time. The image below shows how the UV index is normally in Sweden.

Image 1. The variation of the UV index with season, weather and time of day, the higher the index value, the stronger the UV radiation you are exposed to.

During the summer season, the UV index in Scandinavian countries is usually between 4–7 and during the winter lower than 2. At a low UV index (below 2), you do not need to use sunscreen, but at a higher UV index (between 4–7), the risks of negative effects of radiation increase and you must protect yourself.

A general recommendation is to use a high to very high sun protection (SPF 30-50+) daily if you are outdoors during the summer months (end of March-October) because the UV index is highest during this time.

To get the protection promised on the packaging, you need to apply the sunscreen in an even and thick layer and also reapply regularly, especially after swimming or exercising. How often you need to do this depends on how active you are and how much the product rubs off, but as a general rule, it is good to reapply every two hours and especially after swimming. Below is our recommendation on how much you need to apply for the face and body.

Body

To be sure that you get the protection that is stated on the packaging, it is important to apply more than you normally do. As much as 30-40 ml should be applied to the body to get full protection. And how much is 30-40 ml? That is about the same amount of cream that fits in your cupped hand.

Face

When it comes to the face, it's over 1-2ml of sunscreen that applies. Most of us apply too little sunscreen to our face, so keep in mind that you need to apply significantly more than what might feel like enough to get the protective effect. So apply it properly, better too much than too little!

What protects in a sunscreen are different types of filters that are usually divided into organic (chemical) and mineral (physical) filters. Many people use organic filters because they provide a nicer and better product to apply, as they do not leave the white, slightly sticky film on the skin that products with high levels of mineral filters can leave.

From a skin perspective, the mineral filters titanium dioxide and zinc oxide may be preferable because they do not penetrate (get through) the skin. Therefore, the body is less likely to react to mineral filters. It is, among other things, the low risk of allergies that means that mineral filters are often used for children and people with sensitive skin. However, the cosmetic effect can be perceived as worrying as mineral filters can leave a white film on the skin.

The new and most modern organic filters, however, consist of larger molecules that also have a very low tendency to penetrate the skin. For these substances, the advantages of the organic filters and mineral filters have been combined, i.e. they provide a nice product to apply while at the same time being large enough to stay on the outside of our skin. Our opinion is therefore that the best sunscreen product, which provides the best protection and the best product to apply, is the one that contains a combination of modern organic filters and the mineral filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Among the organic filters, we believe that the substances from the older generation should be avoided, those with a smaller molecular size and which can penetrate the skin. The older generation of filters has a greater tendency to cause allergies and skin problems, and in some cases levels of them have also been measured in the urine, which shows an uptake and hormone-disrupting effects. They have also been shown in many cases to have a negative impact on the environment.

Our tip is also to choose sunscreen products from European companies developed for the European market, as they more often use newer variants of UV filters that are better from a skin and health perspective. The FDA, which regulates the use of UV filters in the US, has not yet approved several of the European variants, and American companies therefore tend to still use the older filters.

Clothing is the first line of defense against the sun. How do different items of clothing affect how well you are protected? Here are some basic rules:

Dark clothes:

Black and navy absorb more UV rays than lighter colors like white and pastels. For example, a plain white cotton t-shirt provides an SPF of only about 10.
As a rule of thumb - the more intense the shade, the better protection the clothing will provide.

Material:

Just like color, the material and texture of your clothing can affect how well it protects you from UV rays. Synthetic and semi-synthetic fibers like polyester or rayon are the best choices for sun protection, as are dense, heavy, tightly woven fabrics like wool, denim, or corduroy. At the opposite end of the spectrum are lightweight fabrics (such as refined cotton), which tend to be thinner and therefore allow more light to pass through. Examples:

• Shirt (denim) SPF 1700
• Blouse 100% viscose: SPF: 15
• 100% cotton T-shirt: SPF 10

Size:

It's pretty obvious that the more skin you cover, the better protected you are. It can be easy to forget that the same goes for hats! The best hats for sun protection have a wide brim (3 inches or more). Don't forget to wear sunglasses, and preferably wear a pair of sturdy sunglasses with wide lenses that cover your eyes, eyelids, and as much of the surrounding area as possible.

Loose fit:

A loose-fitting shirt provides better SPF than a tight one.