DO

SLATHER ON ENOUGH. People typically use about 25 to 75 percent less sunscreen than they should, according to studies. Be sure to apply 2 to 3 tablespoons of sunscreen for maximum full-body protection.

DON'T

USE EXPIRED SUNSCREEN. Sunscreens aren’t required to post expiration dates as long as manufacturers can prove that they’ll last for at least three years. So if your sunscreen doesn’t have an expiration date, be sure to write the date on it in permanent marker when you buy it. And remember to discard it after three years.

DON'T

MISS THESE SPOTS. Lips, ears, feet, hands, bald spots, and the back of your neck are all areas that are easy to forget.

DO

REAPPLY REGULARLY. The maximum protection time of a sunscreen is based on the number of minutes it takes for you to burn multipled by the SPF number. So say you have fair skin and burn within 20 minutes and you’re using enough of an SPF 15 sunscreen. That will give you about five hours of protection. Nevertheless, reapply sunscreen every two hours just to be on the safe side. If you’re swimming or doing lots of sweating on the beach or the tennis court, you may want to reapply it more often than that. Also, keep in mind that reapplying sunscreen after you’ve exceeded your maximum protection time doesn’t mean that you can safely stay in the sun longer. Instead, be sure to cover up or get out of the sun!

Click any of the links below for a selection of articles from the August/September 2007 issue of ShopSmart;) Editor's Letter Greetings from ShopSmart Editor-in-Chief Lisa Lee Freeman Your worst shopping mistakes You bought that? Tell us about it--or better yet, send us a picture! How to spot a fake Think that designer jewelry is a steal? It might be a scam. See our tips to avoid getting taken. The best beauty sites Where to find great deals on cosmetics, perfumes and more. 11 ways to slash your grocery bill Finding cheaper stores, fake-outs to avoid and other shopping tactics. What's cooking online Need a recipe? Turn on the computer instead of cracking open a cookbook. A day in the life of a mystery shopper Where to find great deals on cosmetics, perfumes and more. Can't find ShopSmart in your local bookstore? Order it online or call our toll-free number to get your copy now.