Which sunscreen should you choose? - Mary Poffenroth

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.

[wcfan]

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

[punkt]

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

[NoriMori]

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…

[jareddrake]

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

[jcarbon]

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

[averingsuperbob]

beautiful visuals in this video. great artist!

[bluedasher]

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

[itzdumb]

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

[serasvictoria]

This video should be on everywhere instead of commercials.

[meowmeow]

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

[ajaxbird]

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

[Jaccobtw]

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

[davidsweeney]

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

[sparkinstarfall_FD]

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

[HikariNora]

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

[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.

[tancho]

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?

[evehellod]

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

[hazard]

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