Shopping for sunscreen and the unwritten rules around using it seem unnecessarily complicated. So we spoke to an expert who can help you keep it simple with her personal tips and routine.

What kind of sunscreen should I use?

“The best sunscreen is the easiest sunscreen for you in the sense that we want it to be one that you'll actually wear and be consistent with,” said Lauren Leavitt, a dermatology physician's assistant.

For face sunscreen, her go-to is lightweight, tinted sunscreen that is SPF 30 and worn daily.

SPF 30 blocks about 97% of ultraviolet B, according to Leavitt, so it’s a good starting point.

“As we go up to SPF 50 and 70, there is a slight increase in the amount of UV that it blocks, but beyond that, there isn't too much,” she said.

(MORE: Dermatologists praise FDA approval of new sunscreen ingredient)

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What is important is finding one that’s “broad-spectrum” — which means it blocks two types of ultraviolet light: UVA and UVB.

As for spray vs. cream or lotion sunscreen, they’re equally effective as long as applied correctly and thoroughly. 

When and how often should I apply sunscreen?

“Sunscreen breaks down just from us sweating it off, from us moving around,” Leavitt said. “If we're going in the water, that can wash it off.”

Her golden rule? Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours.

(MORE: What you don’t know about sunburns)

“And then for kids, it's important to apply before you get to where you're going, because it's really hard to wrangle them once you’re there,” she said. 

One of her other favorite tips is to place the sunscreen in a spot where it's going to end up being a part of your routine. 

“So, mine is next to my toothbrush. I have it on my desk at work, in my bag,” she said. “Just having it in places where it'll be a habit will be helpful for you.”

Content writer Ada Wood enjoys exploring the stories that science and climate teach us about our natural world and how it influences the way we live in it.