There’s no shortage of sunscreen options in the skin care aisle, but which are the best for your body? Bart Zoni, co-founder of Clinical Skincare Company, shares his expertise on what to look for when choosing your skin’s best defense.

1. Pay Attention to Active Ingredients

We’ve been conditioned to look at the SPF on our sunscreen to determine how much protection we want or think we need, but the active ingredients in a formula are just as important, Zoni says. The vast majority of skin health professionals rely on titanium dioxide and zinc oxide – the two mineral actives available in the United States – instead of chemical filters. A quick check of the drug facts on the back of your bottle will list what’s inside. 

2. Double Down on the Protection

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When browsing sunscreen brands to put in your beach bag, two words are critical: Broad Spectrum. “These SPF products are able to block both UVA and UVB radiation, providing you with the best protection possible,” explains Zoni. 

After showering, moisturize with Cetaphil Men Daily Face Lotion SPF 15 for regular protection, and up the ante with Skin Cancer Foundation-recommended EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46 for prolonged exposure.

3. Boost Your Natural Defenses

Everything else we put in and on our body is fortified, so why not sunscreen? SPF plus antioxidants are the perfect combo for ultimate before and after defense.

“The sun puts a lot of stress on the skin and antioxidants help prevent and repair visible sun damage,” Zoni says. “Combining them with your SPF makes total sense. Look for ingredients like Vitamin C, green tea extract, ubiquinone, or Vitamin E.”