May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, putting the spotlight on the importance of sunscreen, but is it worth spending more money on sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher? We spoke to Danielle Rogers, director of the Coliseum Health Cancer Center to Verify.
A day in the sun for Angie Hannon and the kids isn't complete without the SPF.
"I always bring sunscreen with me. I have it in the back of my car, I also have it in the bag for the kids," Hannon said, so the kids can stay protected while playing at the park.
"Sunburn is horrible and it hurts, and if it's burning your skin, it can't be any good for you," Hannon said.
When it comes to her own skin care, Hannon prefers a sunscreen with a heftier SPF.
"I personally like the Neutrogena, the 'Beach Defense,' and that's 70, " but that also comes with a slightly heftier price tag.
The price difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 on your generic drugstore brand sunscreen is only about 50 cents, but is the extra SPF worth the extra cents? We verified.
Director of the Coliseum Cancer Center Danielle Rogers says 50 can be farfetched.
"15, I would say, is the absolute minimum, but it is not what's recommended. 30 is recommended," Rogers said.
"You know, once you get past 50, I don't know that's it's really doing as much," Rogers explained, especially if you're not covering up with the correct amount.
"If the bottle says 30 SPF, that's per ounce of sunscreen, and an ounce is equivalent to this," Rogers said as she held up a small cup.
So it's verified -- there's no need to spend more money on a sunscreen with SPF of 50 or higher. SPF 30 will do just fine.
Rogers says be sure to reapply every 80 minutes. If you are in the water, Rogers says every hour or so.