Ask a Dermatologist: Dr. Shereene Idriss on All Things SPF

SPF number matters…a lot! On average, SPF 15 offers 94% protection whereas SPF 50 offers 98%. At 94% protection, your skin is still exposed to 6% of UV rays, whereas at 98% protection, only 2% of those rays make it through. That’s nearly a 70% increase in protection! So although a 4% increase in SPF may not seem significant at first, it is in fact a huge amount.

The Best Powder Sunscreens, According to Dermatologists

Ask any dermatologist and they will tell you that reapplying sunscreen throughout the day is key to effectively protecting your skin against harmful UVA and UVB rays. But on days you’re on the go, or wearing a full face of makeup, reapplying sunscreen isn’t always in the cards. The solution? Powder SPF, “which is typically made of physical […]

Everything You Need to Know About Homosalate, Sunscreen’s Hero Ingredient

UVB-blocker: Homosalate, in particular, is a UVB-blocker, protecting against the UV damage that is known to cause skin cancer, says Fincher. To that point, “since it has very limited efficacy against UVA rays, it needs to be combined with other agents to ensure complete protection,” adds Idriss. (She also notes that homosalate isn’t particularly photostable and needs to be combined with other ingredients to keep it stable as well.)

Is Sunscreen Bad for You?

Dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss says, “This study is not meant to scare anyone or modify behaviors. This study is shedding light on a topic that requires more studies and more data in order to reach an objective, clearly defined conclusion. The sun’s UV rays are a known, well-established, scientifically proven cause of skin cancer.”

12 Common Sunscreen Myths Debunked

You’ve heard it from your mother, your dermatologist, your first-grade teacher, and even Baz Luhrmann: Wear sunscreen. With the wealth of knowledge we now have on sunscreen’s ability to reduce our risk of skin cancer and to protect against sun damage like wrinkles, dark spots, and sagginess, it seems wild to think that some still […]

The 17 Best Sunscreens, According to Glamour Editors

Ask any dermatologist: The fact that we need to wear sunscreen is not up for debate. But finding the best sunscreen isn’t easy—there’s a reason people hate the stuff. Sunscreen has a bad rap for being chalky, greasy, and generally all-around annoying. Add in the fact that the FDA is currently investigating the safety of common […]

The Sunscreens Dermatologists & Beauty Editors Really Use Every Day

Of all the skin-care products we use, sunscreen is the most powerful — and perhaps the most scrutinized. To pass the basic buy test, it must be broad spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, and absorb without feeling greasy. One must decide between physical and mineral options and think about water resistance, too. And those considerations […]

Dermatologist Shereene Idriss Talks Skin, Sunscreen and Instagram

How did you get started in dermatology? What was your first job in the field? I applied to medical school at 17 and entered into a seven-year program immediately after graduating. I soon discovered my love for dermatology as it combines both aesthetics and medical aspects where patients want to see themselves get better quickly. […]

25 Organic and Natural Sunscreen Brands That *Really* Work

Not a fan of traditional sunscreens? I’ve got you covered.

7 Amazing Face Sunscreens That You’ll Actually Want to Wear Everyday

Think: lightweight, fast-absorbing, and easy to apply.

REQUEST APPOINTMENT


By clicking submit, I confirm I understand our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.