4 Surprises About Your Sunscreen

1. It pays to prep. Sunscreen builds up in your stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the skin), so if you apply it daily for three weeks before a beach vacation, you’ll be less likely to burn.

2. Some areas need more sunscreen. The areas where the rims of your sunglasses hit your checks are particularly prone to sunburn because the sunglasses reflect light. So are the highest points on your face (your cheekbones and nose). Your nose is especially vulnerable and one of the most common areas for nonmelanoma skin cancers. Sunscreens also breakdown fastest on oily skin, so reapply frequently.

3. Some SPFs are harder to wash off. Water and sweat-resistant sunscreens work because they adhere to the skin. However, this can also make it trickier to wash wash off without leaving behind a residue that can ultimately clog pores and lead to breakouts. Thoroughly cleanse skin by using a gentle scrub with micro beads, like NIA24 Physical Cleansing Scrub, and a cleansing brush, like Clarisonic Mia 2 Deep Pore Detoxifying brush.

4. Your sunscreen already works well, but it could work even better. Apply an antioxidant serum first to help neutralize free radicals that get through your sunscreen before they can damage your skin. We like SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF, Exuviance Antioxidant Perfect 10 Serum, and NeoStrata Antioxidant Defense Serum—or switch to a sunscreen that contains antioxidants like Topix Replenix Antioxidant Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 50+.

Be Your Own Breast Friend

The skin on the chest is thinner than on the face, and the cells don’t turn over as quickly. Start treating the girls with some respect and TLC.

Morning: Smooth on a cream high in antioxidants and peptides, like Pro+Therapy MD Advanced Ultra Rich Day Repair. The sun is 95% of the aging process. In fact, the sun breaks down the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin of your breats, making them sag faster, so don’t forget to follow up with a sunscreen!

Night: Exfoliate with a Clarisonic brush or a mild scrub, like PCA Skin Gentle Exfoliant. Then spread on a mix that’s one part retinol cream and one part moisturizer (we like DDF Pro-Retinol Energizing Moisturizer). Before you hit the sheets, rememeber—the chest get wrinkles, too. The way sleeping on your side can encourage wrinkles on the face, it can also cause those fine lines between your breasts. Your best bet? Sleep on your back.

You say Retinol, I say Retinoid

Confused by all the name variations? Don’t be. Here, a guide to all these perplexingly named vitamin A derviatives.

Retinoids: The umbrella term used to describe all vitamin A derivatives used in skin care.

Retinoic acid (aka tretinoin): The only vitamin A derivative proven to alter gene expression and bring about cellular changes in the skin to produce measurable anti-aging results. It is present in prescription retinoids such a Retin-A, and is the chemical that over-the-counter retinol is converted into after being absorbed and processed by the skin.

Retin-A: The brand name for the first prescription retinoic acid.

Retinol: A vitamin A derivative used in non-prescription anti-aging products to increase collagen production. The amount often found in an over-the-counter formula is 1%.

Reintyl Palmitate: A weaker, less irritating vitamin A derivative that is stored in the skin and undergoes an enzymatic conversion to retinol and ultimately retinoic acid.

Tip: Deciding on which type of retinoid and which percentage strength is best for you will depend on how your skin tolerates the retinoid. Generally, you go with the strongest retinoid you can tolerate with the least amount of irritation, even if that retinoid is considered weak.