Splurge vs steal

Don't be swayed by cost as it isn't necessarily an indication of quality, warns Kylie Strong of The Cancer Council Australia's national skin cancer committee. "Ultimately, all sun creams reach the sun-protection factor (SPF) as stated on the bottle. The price varies with fragrances, moisturisers and, in some cases, advanced ingredients that may protect more successfully against the UVA spectrum."

Learn your ABCs

There are three types of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) - UVA, UVB and UVC. Get the best skin protection with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which shields against UVA and UVB rays.

• "UVA burns your skin to a deeper level and causes more serious damage than previously believed," says Andrea Horwood, founder of the brand Invisible Zinc. It's responsible for skin ageing, is carcinogenic and an immunosuppressant.
  UVB radiation penetrates only the upper layers of the skin. "It's mainly responsible for sunburn, is a potent immunosuppressant and carcinogen, and contributes to skin ageing," explains Dr Graham Aldous, director of scientific affairs at Hamilton Laboratories.
  UVC is absorbed by the earth's ozone layer. "If the ozone layer depletes further, it will emit more UVC and, in the future, sunscreens will have to provide protection from this highly carcinogenic UV ray as well," adds Dr Aldous.

Key ingredients

Have you ever wondered what provides the protection in your sunscreen? "A combination of organic and inorganic UV filters are used," explains Dr Aldous. "They both protect the skin, however, the mechanisms by which each work are different." Organic or chemical blockers are the most common. They absorb UVR and transform it into a non-harmful form of energy, such as light or heat. Inorganic or physical blockers are solid particles that sit on the skin and reflect the sun's rays like a mirror.

Best broad-spectrum buys

True Solutions All Day Moisture SPF 30+ Untinted Cream, $50; Invisible Zinc Face & Body Sunscreen SPF 30+, $29.95; Jurlique Sun Lotion SPF 30+, $69; Hamilton Optimal Enhanced Protection Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30+, $15.95; The Cancer Council Everyday Sunscreen Spray SPF 30+, $15.95; Jan Marini Skin Research Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant SPF 30 Waterproof, $76.