Which sunscreen should you choose? - Mary Poffenroth

View full lesson: ed.ted.com/lessons/which-sunsc...
Sunscreen comes in many forms, each with its own impacts on your body and the environment. With so many options, how do you choose which sunscreen is best for you? To answer that question, Mary Poffenroth explains how sunscreens work and compares different application methods, SPFs, and active ingredients to help you make the best choice.
Lesson by Mary Poffenroth, animation by Rob Kohr and Travis Spangler.

[@PawelNiksa]

This is what they should be teaching in schools.

[@TheMuse260]

Yea you know, stuff thats actually useful in everyday life

[@milohouse8295]

I know right!

[@PawelNiksa]

One thing is to put your knowledge into work for you, second thing is to be taught whats already up there and how it works, so you can adjust and expand this idea/process/knowledge. If I could teach you how to ignite the fire, you only going to that, but if I will show you how fire is being used for cooking, making tools, in control of environment and more, you suddenly have so many options to choose for your future. In addition all those applications may inspire you be more creative. School teaches you basics, but not teaches you how those basics are applied by current products and services - you have to figure it out on your own - if you have available resources to do so - and not every one has them from the early start.

[@CadetGriffin]

Nope. SPF-30 is good. SPF-15 is okay but not as good. SPF-50 and higher are fakes.

[@G8tr1522]

+Matthew Wilson at least they teach us the important things like Literature and Typing. But forreal, our math and science education sucks. Might as well fit this in. it'd be more useful than the science education I received. Come to think of it, there's more science in this video than I learned in most of high-school.

[@wcfan623]

The fact that you guys mentioned the impacts on the environment is why I watch your videos every day. Thank you 🐳

[@orxihui]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGrdh5mgbbZlps0

[@aaronhelsby8214]

Sunscreen truly won’t impact the environment anywhere near other major issues, and protecting yourself would be more important

[@NoriMori1992]

It was surprisingly hard to find mineral-based sunscreens when I went shopping for some. Most of the ones I did find were either really expensive, or for children; and they were all in much smaller bottles than I would've liked. As for sunscreen lip balm, I had absolutely no luck finding a mineral-based one in the stores I went to. I did find some mineral-based sunscreens on Amazon, but unfortunately they wouldn't get here until August…

[@mariotapia2508]

Do you swim everyday??

[@jareddrake575]

As a ginger, the best sunscreen for me is a substantial coat of mirror-finish silver paint.

[@rodrigocarvalhais6666]

Wait tell me what it is plz. I'm semi ginger so I get sunburn kind easily

[@sofo.o3191]

​@@rodrigocarvalhais6666its a joke 😭, suppose to mean the best spfis the is the repelled the sun with her mirror like skin

[@punkt646]

One TED-Ed Episode like this is so much more worth than a hole day school.

[@siddhantmampilli8745]

+ProbablyNot Anthony I was gonna say that😂

[@pythor2]

>"I think you need a another day of school." >"a another day"

[@HiAdrian]

Glory hole day at school?

[@bl1tz533]

A majority of you need a day of school. Or Grammerly.

[@CrimsonStigmata]

+Matt Smith I like how this Anthony guy feels that he needs to be a grammar Nazi and fails terribly at it himself.

[@TheBluMeeny]

I use only the best, spf 9000.

[@notpickybutstrict9484]

+Dustin Boyd (ckit) no, just no.

[@MikhaelAhava]

?

[@cheemsstan8192]

Scrub I use spf9001

[@chair547]

+GassyBean spf 9002

[@cheemsstan8192]

Levi Willrich damn son where'd you find that

[@averingsuperbob]

beautiful visuals in this video. great artist!

[@robertkohr-dead4315]

Much appreciated.

[@meowmeow6542]

I just don't go outside... that's my sun screen

[@Chikenbone-eg2lc]

Do u go out now

[@soliditylearner8016]

But they are Rays, doesn't need to be in sunlight, it can enter your home, because daylight is the fuckin sunlight

[@serasvictoria6132]

This video should be on everywhere instead of commercials.

[@70jcarbon]

This comment means nothing to the infinite expanse of the never ending universe

[@martinnm8276]

Even such a Minute Action has its implications. Well done though

[@barackputin6927]

actually, you increased entropy in the university through this comment...so it does mean something.

[@HikariNora006]

It's ok. I'm still stuck on TED-Ed's last video too 😔

[@milohouse8295]

Well if I'm commenting on this comment then it means something it means that I wish to share my opinion on your comment

[@marpetotis]

Hello! does anyone know at what hours there are more uvB rays? i had been told that between 10 am and 2 pm it´s that true?

[@itzdumb]

This is extremely interesting! I would love a Ted ED video on makeup or skincare as well. ❤️

[@HikariNora006]

I've learned more on this channel than I have my entire schooling experience...

[@bluedasher74]

Zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide leave a white cast on your skin. Not good for those of us with darker complexions.

[@TomoyoYumemi]

Some suncreen have yellow and green pigments to avoid that

[@sheet-music]

I love these white lines. It mean summer.

[@chicblossom]

Those physical sunscreens have come a long way, can't even remember last time i had white cast. I use sun bum. Paulas choice is good too

[@MaryPoffenroth]

There are actually some good brands that don't. (Although a lot do!) My personal love for face right now is Antihelios by la Roche posay

[@dnersargaren8677]

@@chicblossom Yes! PC is brilliant. Elegant formulation too.

[@sparkinstarfall_FD]

If only this video came out one day ago, before I was sunburned.

[@adip8]

CuberClumsy Lol. No.

[@adip8]

CuberClumsy or you got evidence?

[@AnPam23]

I really enjoy your videos! They are so creative and educational :)

[@ButtKraken01]

Really love this animation style

[@robertkohr-dead4315]

Thanks a lot :D

[@davidsweeney111]

I dont expose my skin to the sun because of the cancer risk, being in England its pretty easy to do this!

[@Coxy002605]

UV rays pass through clouds.

[@davidsweeney111]

Thanks dude, didnt know that, luckily when its cloudy its usually cold so I wrap up anyway ;)

[@Coxy002605]

Still got to protect your beautiful face.

[@marianavilela1376]

Thank you so much for sharing this information with us!!!

[@ajaxbird2348]

So as an easily sunburned person, I should choose a zinc or titanium oxide SPF 50 sunscreen. Okay.

[@Sinaeb]

nah spf 100

[@Ahhhmotherland]

As a fellow easily sunburned person, that seems to be the case.

[@CrimsonStigmata]

+Rem SPF 100 is false advertisement and a marketing ploy. 50 is the highest.

[@Pixiz101]

Bear in mind that physical sunscreens often leave a white cast. If you're like me and you have eczema flare ups in response to chemical sunscreens, physical are a better option.

[@Galastel]

Depending on where you live, you should also consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat, keeping to the shade, preferring long-sleeved shirts and long trousers. On the beach remember to always refresh your sunscreen when you get out of the water, and if you can - prefer morning or evening, rather than the hours when the sun is at the zenith. High SPF might not be enough to protect your skin.

[@umamaheswarnakka6810]

USEFUL PRESENTATION WITH GOOD SIMPLE ANIMATION

[@evehellod9776]

They should show this video in schools! Especially the coral reef part!

[@annapotpot]

I picked up a titanium dioxide-based sunblock with SPF 130 weeks ago for our beach trip. I didn't know it was a good choice until I've watched this. I only bought it because of the high SPF, was in a smaller bottle (travel-friendly), cheaper than most brands, and can be applied on the face too.

[@kucimiao]

Was it banana boat or sunplay and had a yellow cap? I think i had that too

[@cypstfu]

spf 130? isnt that a lot?

[@bleu9272]

What's the name of the sunscreen?

[@zumabbar]

​@@cypstfu your skin will turn into UV moon lol

[@hkayakh]

This has got to be the best artwork in a Ted Ed video that I’ve ever seen

[@youawesomesauce2691]

Can you do a riddle/puzzle video? Anyways this video inform me that choosing the right sunscreen is essential!

[@Jaccobtw]

The kind that doesn't give you cancer, but if you're already in the comment section, you probably already have it :(

[@Th3Zomb1e]

savage

[@milohouse8295]

True

[@Uruz2012]

I choose a shirt and hat... No cancer risk and 100 UV protection!

[@marpetotis]

Hello! does anyone know at what hours there are more uvB rays? i had been told that between 10 am and 2 pm it´s that true?

[@GorggW]

I learned more from this than most weeks at school

[@cinnireseisri]

Good video. Thanks for sharing.

[@Kafei2]

Also search for PPD results of your sunscreen! It offers information on its UVA protection, for example in the form of a PA score. SPF mostly measures UVB protection only.

[@Katrina_NYC]

great animation! !

[@c.s.8548]

Thank you for adressing the environmental factor as well!

[@anishashee8511]

Very informative and excellent video 👏

[@manhaateeq8002]

Thx for the pointers

[@Kriegerdammerung]

The background music is so relaxing I would like to have it :)

[@sophiawoop9057]

This was really helpful actually

[@JohannesBurbach]

Great ! this video came out a day after i came back from my beach trip!

[@MissySimpleM]

I'm going to be looking for those Zinc oxide and Titanium oxide sunscreens. Thanks! :)

[@alexstevenson3521]

Thanks so much for that info! Any ideas on brands? Which brands, if any, are better?

[@Diana8Matienzo]

Great video!

[@TilekMamutov]

Love the video! Thanks! Why would someone use a lower SPF then? Just to get a tan? Are there any health benefits to lower SPF in some cases?

[@veitanahsengkhammee8241]

Absolutely lovely video ツ

[@zhantiiX]

This is worth more than an entire day in high school

[@flitxthedestroyer237]

This is great but I am allergic to certain sunscreens so this is not going to change which one I use.

[@shay4236]

💛Love your videos so much 💛

[@hazard6812]

so basically i gotta choose between skin cancer and a nice tan or broken bones and be white as a ghost lmao

[@MikhaelAhava]

A little sunshine won't harm early in the morning mate.

[@xxwtheoxx]

Wear all black. The black clothing will absorb the radiation and you'll feel hot. Wearing white or other colors will allow for all (white) or some of the radiation to be reflected off your clothing and onto you. So black clothes and hat are your best all natural organic vegan non-GMO sunscreen

[@breannamay8800]

What colour is your hair and skin? If you're a redhead, you only need 10 minutes of sun a day to get enough vitamin D, and you can get it by sitting in front of a window. If you have dark skin, you need up to 30 minutes. Go out in the morning or evening for a brief amount of time, and be careful when sitting beside windows too long, like when diving. Honestly it's not hard to get enough vitamin D.

[@G8tr1522]

+Trung Nguyen How did you come to this conclusion? (i.e., evidence please) I'm pretty sure that only infrared radiation (harmless), and visible light is reflected off a white shirt. The (higher) energy from more harmful light would likely get absorbed by the material of the shirt. I think something like glass or a mirror would be necessary to reflect the harmful light without getting absorbed by the object itself. Alas, the color white is simply something that reflects all wavelengths of visible light. UV light sits right above the visible spectrum, so I wouldn't be surprised if anything white reflected UV too. But I'm just guessing. I want hard evidence.

[@AWhileHanlin]

Wesr sun cream broad spectrum everyday and take vitamin d3 suppliment

[@Echo_Noven]

It's odd, I tan easily but I turn back really pale even quicker, and I've only gotten one sunburn before, in Europe while on the beach for half the day

[@lanepalmer]

What a great video!

[@robertkohr-dead4315]

Thanks glad you enjoyed it.

[@johntindell9591]

Thank you

[@danacoleman4007]

THANK YOU!!!!

[@totallybasicyoutubechannel]

Informative, thanks

[@rya.]

I have both chemical and non chemical but for eco. I will use zinc and titanium one for now. Little steps does a lot.

[@kagoon0709]

this was actually useful

[@audreyneucks9638]

I learned more in this video that in high school freshman to senior

[@varizez109]

Never knew of the carbon and mineral based sunscreen...definitely will have to rethink what sunscreen I purchase next time! Love these TED-Ed videos.

[@meikoblock]

I always wondered this? does sunscreen with SPF 100 completely stop the skin from tanning then?

[@LucasYounts]

Great video! A surfer I know uses Zinc because it works better anyway.

[@llama2]

It’s so cool that some people are talking about sunscreens effect on coral. Since I live in hawaii it is vary easy to see where the tourists are by just looking at the coral. If it is dead or bleached most of the time tourists have been there with the chemical sunscreen. If you go swimming in the ocean always wear mineral sunscreen. It’s the best one for the environment. Also fun fact but all chemicals in sunscreen except for titanium oxide and zinc oxide. Everything else is bad.

[@ajitkundu8033]

Informative 👍🏻👍🏿

[@ATL3xtra]

How about adding Zinc powder with your sunscreen?

[@IstasPumaNevada]

The background music made me feel like I was playing World of Goo, or Little Inferno.

[@42tancho]

Nice video, but you talked about how UVB reaches the skin and UVA goes deeper. From that point UVA is never mentioned, it's only about sunscreen blocking UVB ... what about UVA? Seemed a bit odd, or did I miss it?

[@Ahhhmotherland]

You have a point there. UVB is responsible for causing sunburns. UVA is responsible for early skin aging and DNA damage that can cause skin cancer.

[@implodingnija]

This just taught me to not go outside

[@qorymij37]

Huh, strange I ned 100 spf. In Oklahoma, the UV index is ususlly up to 11 for a lot of summer.

[@yobhaji]

does sunscreen slow the vitamin D intake?

[@user-ci2lg1lw5b]

다음에는 SPF지수 15에서 30인 선크림 제품을 고르는 것이 좋다는 것을 배웠습니다. SPS지수가 보호된 피부를 태우는 데 얼만큼의 UVB가 필요한지를 나타낸 것을 알아냈습니다. 또 화학적인 선크림은 산호표백 상태를 유발시킨다는 것을 배우고 선크림도 지식을 갖추면 유용할 수 있다는 것을 배웠습니다. 좋은 영상 감사합니다.

[@teruphoto]

Why wasn't PA rating included in the video?

[@bleu9272]

Is putting a sunscreen on body and face should be a different product of sunscreen? Or they can be apply on both?

[@PrincessKait1]

I work outside all day and apply spf 50 sunscreen multiple times all throughout the day and I still continue to burn and tan. Sigh. Forever with weird uniform tan lines.

[@nicholaschong7190]

my friend have one tiny bottle of sunscreen of spf 100 is that good or is that bad?

[@nickyherrera9657]

I use a moisturizer + sunscreen with an spf of 12 is that ok can someone tell me more about this

[@krlosop]

what is the difference between sunscreen and sunblock?

[@nimikina]

What's with UVA? PPI should be covered too.

[@kartikeyasrinivasan9548]

What's with the structure of octinoxate at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="210">3:30</a>?

[@gracemarner858]

I get burnt so so easily but I;m allergic to suncream so I end up having to take antihistamines all the time just to be able to wear it

[@14Mlast14X3]

Lmao this is my professooorrrrr BAY AREA REPRESENT! Yes she is making us watch this as a part of our biology assignment.

[@UrwahK]

I have 3 sunscreens in my house, checked all 3 and none of them have any of those ingredients, does that mean im cool or do some of those have different names?

[@fakejordans909]

such SICK VIDEO

[@petrahuppelschoten9802]

my questions have yet agian not been answered D:, does anyone know:'' does skin actually need to get sunburn to get damaged, or is just being in sunlight without burning enough? '' i just want to know because everyone keeps telling me to put on sunscreen when out in the sun but i dont get sunburned.

[@ViTALMaTThews]

I agree with the video, but they don't have to sugarcoat it with an illusion of choice by saying "which sunscreen is right for you? Is it this one with natural substances... or this other one which will lead to the mass genocide of 25% of marine species?". I understand they want to have a unbiased video, but don't be patronizing to your audience by showing both sides of an argument when you are really just making the case for one.

[@Coxy002605]

It's called rhetoric.

[@NachosNVeganChili]

Well, the video wasn't titled "which one is right for you". It's titled "which should you choose". You doesn't have to be you personally, but more like "one": "which should one choose". The question in this case meant "which sunscreen is better in general." I agree with Coxy002605, it's somewhat rhethorical, even though it wasn't completely personal to start with. I do get where you're coming from, though.

[@Silverizael]

They are all natural substances. And they are all also produced synthetically. Don't make this a natural vs synthetic thing. There is no evidence that "natural" things are inherently better, scientifically or otherwise.

[@ViTALMaTThews]

No they are not all natural substances. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are both natural occurring minerals just like every other oxide: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zincite en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilmenite en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutile en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatase They may be mass produced in factories for connivence, but in reality they are naturally occurring. If you leave a block of pure titanium outside exposed to oxygen, eventually it will all turn into titanium dioxide. On the other hand, all of the carbon substances have to be produced synthetically because they are not naturally occurring. No one has stumbled around during a walk in the woods and found 4MBC growing off of a tree. Oxybenzone is produced by a well know reaction: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxybenzone#Production 4MBC and octinoxate are practically the definition of a synthetic substances: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4-Methylbenzylidene_camphor en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octyl_methoxycinnamate Butyparaben us the only one that is slightly produced in nature yet it need to be prepared through another common practice called esterification: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butylparaben#Preparation Generally in chemistry, most oxides are naturally occurring and if a substance has a common name such as ilmenite the same is true mainly because it was a discovered substance long ago in order to gain a common name. Whereas any substance called by it's IUPAC name is for the most part synthesized. Furthermore, there is a decent amount of evidence (as far as the environment is concerned) that natural substances are inherently better (for the environment) because they are more stable and generally don't react easily. A good example of this is Chlorine vs. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's) and the ozone layer. Chlorine by itself didn't cause a hole in the ozone because Cl2 is generally stable which is why it occurs naturally. CFC's on the other hand cause free radical chain reactions due to UV rays. CFC's are unstable and highly reactive in comparison and thats why they are not naturally occurring and instead need to be produced synthetically. Another good rule of thumb is to look at the chemical structure and if it looks scary and intimidating, it's probably synthetic (apart from proteins/DNA but those aren't in the environment, they are in closed systems etc.). Yeah sorry for the long reply, just wanted to clear some things up and got a bit carried away.

[@nwman1234]

+

[@audrey9able]

This is the one I go back to, besides doctors, in getting the best summary for the best choice of sunscreen. Sorry beauty gurus...

[@breadcrumbs3530]

I just never know how much sunscreen to put on, so I start freaking out and putting on probably way more than I need and end up using the whole bottle.

[@Hanesboi]

this is what they should teach this in school

[@oliviahesson881]

I used to burn really easily but I guess my skin changed because now it's nearly impossible for me to get a sunburn. I do get a really nice tan, though.

[@bblil6778]

Gud 4 u m8

[@Groaznic]

Pix or it didn't happen.

[@ptony3883]

gurl u lawk cwaute

[@Groaznic]

Pete Tonu Pete you lawk killa, mate

[@ptony3883]

+Groaznic mate i dint standchu

[@alvaroach]

I get an allergic reaction to certain types of sunscreen. I usually try to stay away from it, It's a pain in the ass

[@RickyRicardoL]

My banana boat spf 50 sunscreen says 'Avobenzone, Homosalate, and Octocrylene' under active ingredients. Are these harmful carbonic chemicals?

[@Emily-vp9xe]

Good thing I don't use the sunscreen I usually have for swimming in the ocean, I'll have to buy a different one for that.

[@fk6539]

in the winter 32 C

[@ianmassidda3542]

Is higher SPF better or worse ?

[@kateparker8546]

The narrator's voice sounds very similar to Sarah Green's (the no longer elusive Yeti)!

[@rimshakhalid5037]

Is it bad I have never used sunscreen and I know thts bad some people are saying it’s bad for us I’m lost I just know I need it

[@numbers9to0]

Would painting myself with white wall paint give me SPF 1000?

[@lisalowe6312]

How about 100 SPF?? How much percentage of coverage would that give us? If 50 is around 80% then more that 100%?? Because the company Neutrogena sells 100 SPF now, and also is it safe??

[@user-ck1tc1fw4q]

Try 3 AM Sundowner Suncreen SPF 50PA+++ | lightweight SPF that protects, shields, and brightens your skin all day long.

[@derkateramabend]

I love these videos, but as anyone who knows a bit about inorganic chemistry can tell you, the formulae for ZnO and TiO2 are just plain wrong. There are no valence electron bonds, but rather Coulomb attractive forces acting between the cations and anions.

[@MikhaelAhava]

That's Zinc Oxide and Titanium and idk, I forgot about that.

[@G8tr1522]

Whoa, really??? How strong is that bond compared to a covalent bond?? I'm an electrical engineer, so use appropriate vocabulary pls.

[@whatshisnamegain1]

Tbf, it's not like there's a clear-cut separation between covalent bonds and ionic interactions. There is always a small part of covalent interaction. The difference in electronegativity (according to the Pauling scale) is 2.0 and 1.9 respectively which is indeed considered to be rather ionic. So, strictly seen, with the current accepted definitions, it would be more accurate to represent it as 2O(2-) Ti(4+) and Zn(2+) O(2-). However, it is an exaggeration to state that O=Ti=O and Zn=O are "plain wrong".

[@G8tr1522]

What's Their Name Again? I kind of understood that. All I got though, was that, "they're close".

[@derkateramabend]

What's Their Name Again? Yes, that is what I would agree to. But You have to admit, showing only covalent bonds is wrong, so both of us are correct. Using this cation/anion notation is something I usually employ when explaining this stuff to my classmates. Have a great day!

[@raghunathsahu2727]

Which sunscreen is best?

[@hamouz1999]

i dont like tanning

[@aidninonnac]

how do headaches work

[@shank2733]

okay, but is their any way to avoid getting a tan other than avoiding the sun?

[@MaryPoffenroth]

protective clothing works great. Hats/rashguards etc.

[@somebodyelse5294]

What about SPF 4?

[@69Ress]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="69">1:09</a> what do you want to say by "damage DNA"?

[@djayjp]

I thought SPF (Skin Protection *Factor* ) referred to the fact that, e.g., SPF 30 provides 30x the skin's (presumably an average melanin containing person of european descent) "normal" protection...?