Banana Boat Sun Protection

How to Buy The Best Sunscreen Products

Sunscreen is an important part of any outdoor activity, helping you prevent sunburn in the short term and skin cancer in the long term. Sam's Club offers a wide array of sun protection products as well as facial moisturizers and skin care products amongst its beauty products to keep your skin protected and healthy.

What are the best sunscreen products?

The best sunscreen products offer:

• The right SPF level (usually SPF 30 or more)
• The delivery method you prefer (spray, lotion, stick, gel, etc.)
• The right fit for your activity (beach, sports, outdoor work, etc.)
• The right fit for your environment

Once you find the right match for your skin needs, check the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) sunscreen rankings for top choices for your particular needs. EWG best sunscreen lists can be found here.

What sunscreen should I use?

Of course, you should choose a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection against UVB rays (measured by SPF) as well as UVA rays. You should also choose a delivery method that you will actually use, whether it's a mineral sunscreen stick, moisturizing lotion, or a convenient spray.

It's also important to find the right match of sunscreen for your skin type.

• Sensitive skin: Choose a physical or mineral sunscreen for sensitive skin
• Oily skin or acne: Use a non-comedogenic sunscreen that will not block pores
• Dry skin: Opt for a sunscreen with moisturizer for the best skin care

What Different Types of Sunscreen Products Are There?

Not all sunscreen is the same. The different sunscreen options include:

• Waterproof: Perfect for use at the beach or the pool, or for watersports. Note that there is a difference between water-resistant (40 minutes of sun protection) and what is commonly known as waterproof (80 minutes of sun protection).
• Sport sunscreen: Sunscreen for sporting activities that is water-resistant, including against sweat from sports or outdoor work.
• Kids sunscreen: Designed for kids' sensitive skin and activities. Some sunscreen brands offer specific options as sunscreen for babies.
• Spray sunscreen: Sunscreen you don't have to rub in.
• Sunscreen lotion: Sunscreen you rub in to ensure full coverage. Use about an ounce of sunscreen to cover your body, including about a nickel-sized dab as sunscreen for your face.
• Tanning oil: Sunscreen that protects against UV rays while helping you get a tan.
• Physical sunscreen: This is also known as mineral sunscreen. It is reef-safe sunscreen.

What to Consider When Buying Sunscreen Products

What does SPF mean?

SPF means Sun Protection Factor. This number measures how much protection sunscreen gives you from UVB rays. This is an important number, but it is only one factor in evaluating sunscreen for broad-spectrum sun protection.

How to know what SPF you need

Dermatologists generally recommend a sunscreen SPF of 30 or more. Here is the difference in UV protection that different SPF levels provide:

• SPF 15 - blocks 93 percent of UVB rays
• SPF 30 - blocks 97 percent of UVB rays
• SPF 50 - blocks 98 percent of UVB rays

If you're fair-skinned or have a personal history or family history of melanoma, you may choose a higher spray or lotion SPF level. Sam's Club offers SPF 70 sunscreen products for additional sun protection.

It's important to note that these percentages do not include UVA rays. Read the product descriptions on SamsClub.com to find broad-spectrum sunscreen that specifically offers UVA sun protection.

How often should you reapply sunscreen?

Experts recommend a base sunscreen coat of at least SPF 30 and then reapplying sunscreen every two hours. If you get in the water, you should consider reapplying every time you exit the pool, lake, or ocean, unless you are wearing water-resistant sunscreen. If you choose not to limit sun exposure or wear protective clothing or hats, you may want to reapply more often.

Do you need waterproof sunscreen?

New FDA labeling requirements call for sunscreen to indicate water resistance for 40 minutes (known as water-resistant sunscreen) or 80 minutes (commonly known as waterproof sunscreen). If you plan to swim or bathe, participate in watersports or if you sweat a lot, water-resistant sunscreen should provide more sun protection.

Sunscreen ingredients

Most sunscreen falls into one of two categories:

• Mineral sunscreen: Sunscreen made with active ingredients zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide to protect skin. These sunscreen ingredients don't burn or sting eyes, so it is often the best choice for face sunscreen. Mineral sunscreen does leave a white residue on your skin. It's sometimes called physical sunscreen or natural sunscreen. Check the product listings at SamsClub.com to find organic sunscreen made with zinc, and to make sure the sunscreen is reef-safe.
• Chemical sunscreen: Sunscreen made with active ingredients like avobenzone, oxybenzone, and octocrylene. It rubs into your skin more easily to protect against UVA and UVB rays. Note that some states like Hawaii have started passing laws against chemical sunscreen, because of research that indicates it may negatively impact coral reefs.

Buy the Best Sunscreen Products and Brands at Sam's Club

No matter what brand of sunscreen you are looking for, check Sam's Club. We offer the best sunscreen brands at member-only prices in club or online at SamsClub.com:

• Neutrogena
• Coppertone
• Banana Boat
• Alba Botanica
• Rootree Mobitheory
• Member's Mark (Sam's Club exclusive)

Buying bulk sunscreen at Sam's Club

We also offer many bulk sunscreen multipacks.

Sam's Club offers bulk sunscreen options including bulk mineral sunscreen both in club and online at SamsClub.com. Get Neutrogena sunscreen and other leading brands.

FAQ - Sunscreen Products

How much is sunscreen?

Sam's Club offers bulk sunscreen packs starting under $13, with many choices around $15.

What is the cheapest brand of sunscreen?

Check SamsClub.com for members-only pricing and instant savings to get the best values on sunscreen prices.

Can you put sunscreen on babies?

Sunscreen on babies is safe once a child is six months old, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, doctors recommend limiting a baby's sun exposure by keeping them in the shade with sun protective clothing and hats whenever possible instead of relying solely on sunscreen for infants or toddlers.

What sunscreens are safe?

Sunscreen is recommended by the American Association of Dermatologists, and it is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA completely clears mineral sunscreens made with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, and is gathering more data to study ingredients used in chemical sunscreens.

What are the healthiest sunscreens?

Mineral sunscreens use more natural ingredients, and some mineral sunscreen brands are organic. Plus, they don't sting your eyes, and they are usually considered reef-safe sunscreens.

Does sunscreen expire?

Yes. There is an expiration date printed on your sunscreen bottle or can. Replace it to ensure you get the optimal sun protection that matches the SPF level listed on the sunscreen bottle.

Can you tan with sunscreen on?

While many sunscreens offer broad-spectrum sun protection, a small percentage of UVB rays, and some UVA rays, may reach your skin, so you may get tan. Sun Bum sunscreen and Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen bulk packs advertise tanning. But most dermatologists do not recommend sunscreens designed to help you tan instead of offering sun protection.