Choosing the right sunscreen

Summer is officially around the corner; we're moving out onto our picnic blankets and taking the old 10-speed instead of the car. While we should wear sunscreen all year to protect ourselves from the sun's harmful rays, it is especially important when we start spending more time outside.

The above video by the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund is making its rounds on the Internet. It encourages young people to take precautions to prevent skin cancer, and reminds older people to keep an eye on their epidermis for changes. It's powerful and poignant and is making people think twice before heading to the tanning salon.

The MD Anderson Cancer Centre has published a go-to guide on their blog of what you need to remember when you're picking out your sunscreen this year. We recommend taking a few minutes to learn what they suggest, but here's the overview:

• Make sure your sunblock protects against UVA and UVB rays
• Choose one that's SPF 30 or higher
• Apply about a half an hour before heading out and again after every two hour block
• Use about a shot glass worth of lotion for each part of your body, even your ears! Those suckers burn quickly
• Buy UV blocking clothing, lip balm, hat, sunglasses, and anything else to help keep you safe. Sunscreen doesn't block 100 per cent of the rays.

Stay safe, have fun!