It is officially heating up out there and while we are breaking out the shorts and sandals and trying to get our tans on, it’s time get serious and lather on the SPF. I can attest to the fact it’s a hassle to have to put on sunscreen and it is definitely not always pretty or comfortable to wear everyday. It can burn, get in your eyes, make your face look white and instantly make you feel like you need a shower. But for obvious reasons like preventing skin cancer, premature aging and avoiding that cooked lobster look, it is important.

So when it comes to finding the right SPF, where do we start? The key to narrowing down the vast selection of sunscreens out there is asking yourself some questions.

First question, (and for some people this may or may not be a major factor) ask yourself if the difference between a physical or chemical sunscreen is important to you? This means you are considering the active ingredients in the product. Physical sunscreen contains natural minerals like zinc oxide, titanium oxide and iron oxide, which stay on the skin’s surface, creating a barrier and reflecting the sun’s harmful rays off of the skin. This protection is completely natural, so if you’re looking for green and organic sunscreens, look for those ingredients. Physical SPF rarely irritates the skin (so no burning or breakouts), since it does not fully absorb and keeps the skin cool. A main con to this type of sunscreen is that is it often thicker and is more likely to leave behind a chalky residue.

Chemical sunscreen contains synthetic compounds such as, parsol, benzophenones and paba as active ingredients. This kind of protection is fully absorbed into the skin, protecting the deep skin layers and collagen production. Cons include possible irritation and allergic reactions since it is absorbed, and the tendency of these chemicals breaking down within the skin producing free radicals, which is essentially inflammation, irritation, and aging of the skin.

So, if you have a preference between physical and chemical sunscreens that is going to be a good place to begin your search. The next step is to ask questions like: Are you active and going to be sweating? Are you going to be applying makeup afterwards? How much sun exposure are you expecting? How much money are you willing to spend? There are so many options and answering these questions will help point you in the right direction.

Incase you are active and plan on taking a lot of jogs along the beach this summer, discard the physical/chemical question; all waterproof and sweatproof sunscreens are going to be either purely chemical or have a combination of both physical/chemical ingredients. The chemical compounds are what continue to block the sun while you’re sweating off the sunscreen.

Most drugstore sunscreens are chemical and many of them have great reputations and won’t break your wallet. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF 55, Aveeno Hydrosport Sunblock SPF 50 and Ocean Potion Broad Spectrum all have great qualities to them. Alba Botanicals, which I often use, also has an awesome sunscreen selection which is available at some drugstores and Whole Foods. If you are specifically looking for a chemical-free/physical sunscreen at a drugstore, Aveeno Natural Protection SPF 30 is one of the few that you will find, so grab it.

I have three different sunscreens I use, depending on my activities for the day. I am a physical sunscreen person and try to be cautious with the ingredients I put on my skin. I currently have two Skinceuticals sunscreens in my rotation, the Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 is my everyday sunblock, which is %100 mineral broad spectrum protection, very light and absorbing which makes it easy to apply makeup afterwards. The Sport UV Defense SPF 45 is what I use on days I will be out in the sun sweating; it is a transparent sunscreen, meaning it leaves no chalky residue (yay no ghost face), which is great when you’re not going to be applying any makeup afterwards. My third sunscreen in rotation and just to change it up is John Masters Organics SPF 30 Natural Mineral Sunscreen. This product (and company) is great because they list the ingredients and explain each components purpose. This product contains green tea, an antioxidant and has antibacterial properties; jojoba, which restores pH balance; shea butter for hydration and zinc oxide which is the broadest spectrum UVA and UVB absorber. John Masters Organics is also available at Whole Foods and online here.

I believe that wearing sunscreen is like taking your vitamins, it’s good for you and important in the long run. Spend a little extra time and money now to avoid having to spend a lot later!