Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Sunscreen isn’t just for beach vacations or ski trips. Sunscreen is among the most important parts of any skin-care routine, and you should remember to wear a product with SPF protection every day—even if you are just going for a walk or a short run. Not having proper sun protection can lead to skin cancer. It can also lead to unhealthy-looking skin (wrinkles, dark spots, leathery look).

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The number associated with SPF (like SPF 30) tells you about a sunscreen’s ability to deflect ultraviolet rays. For example, wearing no sunscreen (SPF 0) provides 0% protection against UVB, the ultraviolet radiation that damages skin. Different SPFs provide different levels of UVB protection:

• SPF 15 provides 93% UVB Protection

• SPF 30 provides 97% UVB Protection

• SPF 50 provides 98% UVB Protection

• SPF 70 provides 99% UVB Protection

We recommend you use broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher to protect against sunburn. It will also reduce the risk of skin cancer and fight premature aging of your skin.

Broad-spectrum sunscreens have ingredients that protect against both UVA rays (which tan and age your skin) and UVB rays (which burn and age your skin and cause skin cancer).

Sunscreens aren’t waterproof or sweatproof, but they can be water-resistant and sweat-resistant. The maximum allowable time the FDA will allow sunscreen labels to claim is 80 minutes. It’s recommended that you apply sunscreen early and regularly for the best protection against sunburn.

Yes, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70.  

Yes, the sun’s UV rays can bounce off surfaces like water and snow. That means you can get a sunburn very easily while skiing and even while sitting on a boat under a sun shade.

You should put sunscreen on about 15 minutes before going outside. You
should also use sunscreen all year long, even if it’s overcast, since ultraviolet radiation passes through clouds.

Both types have their pros and cons. Traditional sunscreens (also known as chemical sunscreens) use chemical active ingredients that bond to the skin and absorb UV rays, converting them to heat and dissipating them from your skin. These types of sunscreens tend to be lighter-weight and easier for the skin to absorb, with less white hue. They are also good for active lifestyles, when water and sweat resistance is needed. Mineral sunscreens use mineral active ingredients (like zinc oxide) that sit on the skin and reflect the sun’s UV rays, preventing them from penetrating the skin. In this way, they act more like a shield between your skin and the sun’s rays. They are more opaque and considered better for reactive skin types (sensitive skin). They are also considered natural and reef-safe. All of our sport and mineral sunscreen formulas provide broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays, and all of our formulas are oxybenzone-free. Oxybenzone is known to damage coral reefs and cause skin allergies.

No, all of Dermatone’s products are 100% oxybenzone-free.

Dermatone makes a line of reef-safe mineral products. In addition, all of Dermatone’s products are oxybenzone-free and use the highest-quality ingredients. This way, we provide our customers with a number of choices to fit their active lifestyles. Ocean reef preservation is also a key part of Dermatone’s sustainability strategy.

Yes, because the sun’s rays are more intense at higher altitudes. For every 1,000 feet you gain in elevation above sea level, the sun’s rays increase in intensity by up to 10%. So if you are skiing, climbing, or hiking at 10,000 feet, the sun is 100% stronger than at sea level.

The best type of sunscreen is the one you will use regularly. Just make sure it offers broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection, has an SPF of 30 or higher, and is water- and sweat-resistant.

The kind of sunscreen you use is a matter of personal choice and may vary depending on the area of the body to be protected. Dermatone options include lotions, creams, balms, gels, sticks, and sprays, to suit all your sunscreen needs.

Yes, most people still tan with sunscreen on. When applied properly it will prevent sunburn and will decrease how dark your skin will get, but it is hard to completely eliminate tanning entirely. 

Yes,the FDA requires sunscreens sold in the USA have expiration dates. They are considered to no longer be fully effective after that date. Make sure to check the packaging on all your sunscreen products to make sure they are still effective! 

Yes, it is possible. Make sure to check out the ingredient label if you have any concerns. Our formula’s are made for sensitive skin although we always recommend trying a small dab before applying all over your body. Also, Dermatone products are paraben-free, cruelty free, non-greasy, and most importantly protect against UV rays.

The term sunblock was banned by the FDA in 2011 since no sunscreen can block UV rays entirely. Hence the term “sunscreen” protects against the UV rays and the potential harm they can contribute. 

It is important to use sunscreen on your face even if you are using a foundation or makeup product that has SPF in it. Those products may not provide enough protection against the sun. Also, consider a water-resistant or sweat-resistant product when applying with makeup.  Be sure to reapply sunscreen to your face every two hours. Dermatone offers a stick option of their mineral sunscreen in SPF 50 that can be easily applied to the face.