The top sunscreens for a cool summer

The sizzling summer sun doesn’t have to keep you from enjoying California’s great outdoors, but be smart about it.

Even though there’s growing awareness about the damage sun rays can cause, the rates of melanoma have been rising for the last 30 years, said David Andrews, a senior scientist for the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit agency that specializes in research and advocacy.

One factor is that sunscreen’s efficacy isn’t just about using it — but how you use it:

Purchase “Broad Spectrum” UVA/UVBprotection sunscreen. Use an SPF 30 or higher, but anything higher than 50 can be unnecessary and misleading. Reapply about a shot-glass amount of sunscreen per area at least every two hours or immediately after swimming or heavy sweating. And check the expiration date — products that are too old should be tossed.

The good news is sunscreens are improving, Andrews said, “but a critical part of our messaging is that sunscreen is not the endall or be-all, it’s not the magic bullet or the magic cream that’s going to make you invincible to the sun’s rays, it’s a tool. It’s a piece of your sun-protection strategy that needs to include sun-protective clothing, hats and UV-protecting shades.”

Avoid peak sun hours — about 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — and stay in the shade.

Here are some of 2017’s top sunscreen picks from the EWG and Consumer Reports, and you’ll find more online at latimes.com/Health: