7 Dangerous Sunscreen Mistakes Not to Make This Summer

Not all sunscreens are made the same. There are two different kinds of skin-protecting ingredients used in SPFs: chemical sunscreens and physical sunscreens.

"Physical ones, like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, tend to be thick and can make your skin look white, but they literally bounce the rays off skin," says Mayoral. They also are better for you if you have sensitivities and better for kids, since the ingredients just sit on the surface of skin.

"Chemical sunscreens, like oxybenzone and abovenzone, need to be absorbed by skin before they work effectively," says Mayoral, "so make sure to allow 30 minutes from application to sun exposure."