1. Consider using a mineral sunscreen if chemicals worry you

According to Aubrey, research has found that some of the active ingredients in chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the bloodstream. In an ongoing safety review, FDA said that there is "inadequate data" to support a safety finding for certain ingredients, such as oxybenzone, though there is also no evidence of harm.

In general, most dermatologists say that the risk of a sunburn outweighs the potential risk of chemicals in sunscreen. However, for people who want to avoid these chemicals, they can use physical or mineral sunscreen. These sunscreens contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which can block UV light.

"I think that zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are much safer than chemical sunscreens because they're so inert," said Tola Oyesanya, a dermatologist with Kaiser Permanente. She also noted that mineral sunscreens are less likely to irritate sensitive skin.

2. The amount of sunscreen you apply matters

A sunscreen's SPF refers to its sun protection factor. A sunscreen with SPF 15 will block around 93% of UV rays while a sunscreen with SPF 30 will block around 97% of UV rays. Any higher than that, and "you're not getting a whole lot more sun protection," said Ida Orengo, chair of the department of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine.

Rather than focusing on SPF, Oyesanya recommends paying attention to the amount of sunscreen you apply since many people don't apply enough. If you're just covering your face, use around a teaspoon of sunscreen, but if you're covering your face and body, you should use about 1.5 ounces of sunscreen, which is the equivalent of a shot glass.

And if you're using spray sunscreen, Oyesanya said you should "[m]ake sure your skin is just totally wet in all the areas that you need to cover," since there isn't an easy way to measure how much you've applied.

3. Higher SPF sunscreens don't necessarily last longer

It is a common misconception that higher SPF sunscreens offer longer lasting protection. In general, all sunscreens will need frequent reapplications since they wear off as people sweat or do other activities.

According to Gregory Papadeas, a dermatologist in Colorado, people should reapply their sunscreen every two hours to ensure full protection. He also recommends buying new sunscreen each summer since the "chemicals become weaker" and less effective over time.

4. You should still wear sunscreen on cloudy days

On cloudy days, many people assume that they don't need sunscreen, but you can still get sunburned on a cloudy day.

According to Jennifer Holman, a dermatologist and fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, clouds only block around 20% of UV rays, which means "[y]ou absolutely can still experience damage from UV radiation on a cloudy day."

This means that even when it's cloudy out, you should keep some sunscreen around. However, be careful not to store your sunscreen in hot places, like the trunk or glove compartment of your car, since heat can degrade its effectiveness.

5. Use more than just sunscreen to protect yourself

Although baseball caps can protect your forehead, they leave other parts of your face exposed. To protect yourself from the sun with a hat, you should wear "a three inch brim hat that's [made from] a tightly woven material," Orengo said.

Because the sun can damage your eyes, you should wear sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection. To protect other parts of your body, you can wear clothing that has built-in sun protection from brands like Columbia, Cotopaxi, and Sombra. You can also wash your clothes in Sun Guard, a powder that coats your clothing in a chemical sunscreen that lasts multiple washes.

6. Sunscreen is beneficial for people of all ages and skin tones

Sunscreen is recommended for all individuals aside from babies under six months. Although people with lighter skin may be more likely to get sunburned, all skin types are vulnerable to UV damage.

"I've cut skin cancers off every skin type," Holman said.

For people with darker skin, especially if they've had a lot of sun exposure, Oyesanya recommends checking their palms, soles of their feet, nails, inside their mouth, and their toenails for potential damage. "These are all areas where you can develop skin cancer, and that's because there's less melanin in those areas," she said. (Aubrey, "Shots," NPR, 6/4)

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