Have you heard? When it comes to SPF, 30 is the new 15. I’ve been saying it ever since my freckles went from seasonal cuties to year-round age spots, but dermatologist Jaime Davis of Uptown Dermatology recently confirmed it. In case, like me, you’re secretly confused about the actual difference between 15 and 30, Dr. Davis explains: The higher the SPF, the longer the protection (SPF 15=it will take 15 times longer for you to burn, SPF 30=30 times longer, etc.).

She has also declared that “physical is the new chemical”—because physical sunblocks, like mineral powders and zinc or titanium dioxide, break down less quickly. The good news is that unlike the lifeguard-white sunblocks of yore, the latest formulations absorb quickly and don’t leave that filmy residue. My go-to all summer has been Supergoop! The gold standard for active, waterproof sun protection, the entire line was recently reformulated without parabens, fragrance, proplyene glycol, or oxybenzone—a common ingredient that the Environmental Working Group recently cited as potentially cancer-causing (for the full study and the EWG’s list of “safe” sunscreens, read on). I’ve taken to toting around every from Supergoop—the moisturizing Lotion, chunky Quickstick for lips and face, and the handy dandy towelettes—perfect for travel or swiping on the go.

Filed Under: environmental working group, ewg, jaime davis, oxybenzone, sunbock, sunscreen, sunscreen swipes, sunspots, supergoop spf 30, titanium dioxide, uptown dermatology, zinc oxide