Buying the right sunscreen could mean the difference between a pleasant day at the beach and a nightmare of splotchy pain. Consumer Reports conducted a poll to see how you people use sunscreen, and even dunked a bunch of volunteers in a tub for forty minutes to see how different sunscreens held up. Inside, the sunscreens that earned Consumer Reports’ praise, and a few tips for avoiding the dreaded summer sunburn.

So which sunscreens work well? Consumer Reports recommends:

• Walgreens Continuous Spray Sport SPF 50
• Coppertone Water Babies SPF 50 (lotion)
• Up & Up Sport Continuous Spray SPF 30

If drugstore sunscreens aren’t good enough for your precious skin, there are a few pricier alternatives from last year that may still be available, including:

• Blue Lizard Regular Australian SPF 30+
• Mustella Bébé/Enfant High Protection SPF 50
• Lancôme Paris Sôleil Ultra Expert Sun Care for Sensitive Skin SPF 50
• Fallene Cotz SPF 58

Keep a close eye on expiration dates, and chuck any sunscreen that is more than two years old. Always apply sunscreen at least fifteen minutes before heading out so your skin can soak up the yummy protection. And don’t rely on sunscreen alone; a big floopy hat can help provide a needed umbrella of protective shade.

CR poll: Who’s using sunscreen? [Consumer Reports]
(Photo: mtoz)

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.