To help you add-to-bag with confidence, we’ve put together a little list of handy myth-busting info.

• Check the SPF - Basically, SPF stands for sun protection factor. And according to the big dogs at the FDA, SPF is a measure of how much solar energy is required to produce sunburn on protected skin (with sunscreen), relative to the amount of solar energy required to produce sunburn on unprotected skin (without sunscreen). SPF 50 is the magical number. This is how you maximize your UVB protection. But what’s the number all about? Well, for example, with an SPF 30 sunscreen, your skin would take 30 times longer (than it would unprotected) to develop a sunburn while exposed to UV rays. The higher the number, the longer you’re protected. Simple, no?

• Opt for Broad Spectrum - For optimal protection, you’re going to want to understand the difference between UVA and UVB rays. UVA is responsible for aging the skin, while UVB light is responsible for burning – sadly, they both cause cancer. To safeguard your skin, look for labels that offer a broad spectrum protection, fighting both UVA and UVB light.

• Chemical vs. Mineral - Chemical and mineral sunscreens both work – they just like to do things a little differently. Breaking it down, chemical sunscreens rely on ingredients that cause chemical reactions to absorb UV rays and release them from the skin, while mineral sunscreens use inorganic compounds, sitting pretty on top of the skin to deflect and scatter rays. For those with sensitive skin, we’d recommend opting for a mineral-based product – or, even better, an all-natural sunscreen, as these are less irritating than chemical ones.

• Water-Resistant Labels - Water resistant (or sweat-resistant) labels indicate whether or not a sunscreen can provide adequate protection for 40 minutes or 80 minutes. When you decide to take a dip in the pool and go swimming, or maybe work up a sweat outdoors, that is. BUT BE WARNED: Since no sunscreen is fully ‘waterproof’ or ‘sweat-proof,’ the FDA does not usually allow these terms on sunscreen labels. So, generally, a good rule of thumb is to apply consistently and continuously. Whatever the label suggests.

• Derm Tested vs. Derm Recommended - These two terms may seem similar, but there is a difference in their meanings.Some companies ask dermatologists to test the qualities of their products — that's dermatologist tested, while other brands might ask dermatologists to try a product and say whether or not they'd recommend the product to their patients — that's dermatologist recommended, basically. When it comes down to it, though, these terms should be taken with a grain of salt. Since there are no federal guidelines or industry standards that determine the use of these phrases.

• Face vs. Body Sunscreen - Sunscreens for the face are formulated differently, making sure not to clog pores and cause breakouts. Typically, they feature less zinc oxide because that’s what gives us the pasty look that everyone tries to avoid. So, facial sunscreens often have a combination of zinc oxide with a chemical blocker. Another bonus? They’re specifically designed to be layered with makeup and other skincare

• Inactive Ingredients - Inactive doesn’t mean unimportant. #FACT. When you’re looking for sunscreen, opt for products that are paraben free, oil-free, and fragrance-free. To avoid irritation, avoid sunscreens that integrate insect repellent. Sunscreen should be applied frequently — every two hours, to be exact — whereas insect repellent is used much more sparingly than that, and so it can cause nasty, unwanted reactions. Just as you should with all skincare products, look out for ingredients that you may be allergic to, ingredients that may cause you breakouts, ingredients that may exacerbate eczema – if you happen to have it or sensitive skin. And, let’s not forget fragrance: the most common cause of skin allergic reactions. BEST ADVICE: read the label carefully.

• Trust the Research - Of course, the information on the label doesn’t mean SH*T if it isn’t accurate. So, look out for reviews and research on potential products – especially if you can find research journal articles on the topic. But, if researching the efficacy of each SPF product you’re interested in seems daunting, do not fear: we’ve done the hard part for you. Take a look at our SPF edit here.