Lather Up: Choosing the Right Sunscreen for Your Age

Everyone knows that we need to protect our skin from the sun to prevent getting wrinkles and avoid getting skin cancer. But did you know that the type of sunscreen you should use is different depending on your age?

"Our skin changes as we age, so the way we treat it has to change, too," says Kelly Mack, owner of Absolute Precision Skin Care in Chicago, IL. "And remember, no matter what your age, it's important to wear sunscreen every single day."

Whether you are shopping for sunscreen to wear at the beach or a moisturizer that as includes an SPF, you need to look at the ingredients in the bottle in addition to the SPF number to know if it's right for you.

Here are some guidelines for how you can protect your skin from the sun at any age:

In Your 20s
When you're in your 20s, your skin is still producing a lot of oil, which may cause you to be prone to breakouts. Consequently, people in their 20s shouldn't use a sunscreen that is too think or heavy or it will close their pores, making breakouts worse. Instead, look for a lightweight, liquidy sunscreen that is oil-free.

In Your 30s
By the time you're in your 30s, you will want to start adding hydration to your skin to keep it looking fresh. Try a tinted daily moisturizer that also has built-in SPF, giving you some color, hydration and protection from the sun. Dermologica's Olesome moisturizers offer hydration as well as protection from the sun's UVB rays, which cause sunburns, and UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into your skin and can cause skin cancer.

In Your 40s
Signs of aging and are more evident in your 40s, so you need a daily moisturizer that has an SPF of 50 or higher to keep your skin firm and elastic. In addition, look for a sunscreen that includes Pearl Powder or peptides, both of which help fight aging.

In Your 50s and Up
As we age, our skin becomes significantly drier and more sensitive, so chemical sunscreens, which absorb UV rays into your skin, may not work as well. Instead, you want to look for so-called "physical" sunscreens that contain ingredients such as Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Dioxide, which reflect the UV rays instead of absorbing them.