The absolute worst part — and possibly the only bad part — of growing up on Caribbean beaches is when my mother would lather my entire body with thick sunscreen only to throw a shirt over it. It’s incredible how vividly I remember this. (Or… maybe it’s because I was about 17 years old when she finally let me do it myself?)

The first time I actually cared about sunscreen, I was about 7 or 8 years old. I wanted to smell like coconut all day, and Hawaiian Tropic helped me accomplish that goal. So I carried it with me everywhere. And sometimes also applied it to my sister’s Barbies.

Then, I became a teenager, and this song came out. I loved this song, and it would have been perfect if I could have just cut that first line out. I was walking into a decade where the tanner I got, the cooler I thought I was. Why did I think that, you might be wondering? Because it was true. Tanning was cool. So for a good seven years sunblock was a joke to me — and also my arch nemesis.

Then one day, after I had graduated college, I realized that my skin had changed. Just like that. One day I looked at it, and it just wasn’t the same. It had lines that obviously would turn into crazy wrinkles. And sun spots. You know when you look at one star in the sky and all of a sudden more and more start appearing? That’s what it felt like. Except the multiplying stars were on my face — and way less exciting than stars.

So naturally, I had to take matters into my own hands. I was only 22 or 23. Way too young to be seeing lines on my face and definitely too young to be seeing sunspots. So I went to a spa — because I still couldn’t face a dermatologist — got a facial (and maybe a massage) and asked them to tell me exactly what to do. I would do anything, buy anything, just give me lotions or cut or laser them off. Just give me a game plan.

“Wear sunscreen every day. That’s all you have to do.”

Right, I know that. The song from when I was a teenager taught me that, but I would like to unnecessarily spend some money — or lots of money — on creams and lotions and potions.

“No, you don’t need anything. Just wear sunscreen.”

That song was right. And here I am — 5 or 6 or 7 years later (I’ll never tell) — officially sunscreen obsessed. I’ll never know exactly when this became a thing because I didn’t write about this exact moment in my diary. (I don’t even have a diary. And if I did, it’d obviously be a secret Google doc.) But here I am, years later, with lots of sunscreen research under my belt.

One big takeaway I’ve learned: If you’re going to wear excessive sunscreen for one month out of the year, my dear Tribe, August is the month to do it. The month that Ibiza turns up the music, that all of Europe is on vacation, the month that you’re taking a week off with your family, the month you’re going to work out a little bit less because summer Fridays just pull you out to the Frying Pan. Or the Hamptons. So many decisions. I know you. This is your month.

Here are some things you should know about wearing sunscreen:

  • UVA and UVB are not the same thing, and you need to be protected from both. You don’t have to know how they’re different, just know that you need both in your sunscreen, a.k.a. Broad Spectrum protection. (If you really need to know, UVB rays are the ones that cause sunburn and contribute to skin cancer and UVA rays go deeper, resulting in the aging of the skin and giving us those ugly spots… oh yeah, and also contribute to skin cancer!)

  • Here in the U.S., the FDA is limiting your access to the world’s best sunscreen. #justsayin

  • Experts say there are diminishing returns of protection for SPFs over 50, and that the claims for these sunscreens are largely exaggerated. Stick to anything between 30 and 50 for as good of a Sun Protection Factor as you’re going to get.

  • Need second opinions? Check out the Environmental Working Group’s list of safest sunscreens. In order to make the list, a sunscreen must be broad spectrum, have a SPF of 50 or below and be free of both oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate.

  • Vitamin A is an antioxidant used in many anti-aging skin products but studies have shown that it can speed up the development of cancer when applied to skin that is exposed to the sun. Avoid using sunscreens that list Retinyl Palmitate as an ingredient. (This is a vitamin A compound.)

To those who avoid the sun all together, please beware. This may have adverse effects because sunshine serves a critical function in producing vitamin D for the body.

Here are my top picks. Love them or love them. If I’m missing something you’re loving, don’t be selfish — share it with me! After 5, 6 or 7 years of excessive sunscreen use, I’m just getting started.

1. Activated Sun Protector Sunscreen for Body SPF 50 by Kiehl’s: I love this sunscreen for my body because it’s really light and non-greasy so it leaves my skin smooth. This is particularly impressive for such a high SPF. It also contains some anti-aging antioxidants.

$25 for 5 ounces

2. Sublime Sun Advanced Sunscreen Oil Spray by L’Oreal: Oil, you say? As in tanning? No! This oil spray will hydrate your skin and leave it glowing for a natural beach look. It also includes vitamin E, argan oil, shea butter oil, grapeseed oil and sunflower oil for improved moisture. And you can spray it on. What more could you ask for?

$10.99 for 5 ounces

3. Sport UV Defense SPF 50 by SkinCeuticals: Because if Bari’s not in your vacation destination spot, you need to take your workout outside. We get it. (And encourage it!) Enhanced with a plankton extract, this stuff will take the sun to war… and win. This is super water resistant, and - for this reason - I only use it when I’m working out outdoors. (Not the lightest of them all!)

$40.00 for 3 ounces

4. New Anthelios 50 Mineral by La Roche Posay: This is my daily go-to. This “barely there but still there” light formula (it’s a thing, don’t worry) also includes a combination of powerful antioxidants that further protect your skin.

$33.50 for 1.7 ounces.

5. UV Clear SPF 46 by Elta MD: If your skin is feeling especially irritated, oily or is acting up, this is the one to grab. It’s the most lightweight of them all. (You won’t even believe you’re wearing sunscreen. But you are.)

$30.00 for 1.7 ounces

6. Mineral Crème SPF 50 by MD Solar Sciences: This one is also good for oily and acne/prone skin, but it also has a subtle tint to help smooth out the look of your skin. Packed with additional antioxidant protection, I find it to be more waterproof than the Elta MD formula. But don’t quote me on this one — test them yourself! (I can’t do all the work, guys.)

$30.00 for 1.7 ounces