Health Watch: Tips For Picking The Right Sunscreen For You

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Picking the right sunscreen to protect against skin cancer can be challenging -- but if you know what you're looking for, you can make the best decision when it comes to keeping yourself safe from damaging burns.

Dermatologist Darrell Rigel says the best kind of sunscreen is simply one you're actually going to use, CBS2's Marlie Hall reported.

"Sprays are the most commonly used type of sunscreen," Rigel said. "With spray, you don't know where you missed. So we recommend you put two coats of a spray on."

The American Academy of Dermatology says look for broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. And it's okay if the product doesn't have an expiration date. Most last about three years.

"Sunscreen is not required to have expiration dates on it," Rigel said. "The one thing that really breaks sunscreen down is extreme heat, so if you leave it in your car -- that will actually break the sunscreen down."

Most people don't use enough sunscreen and don't reapply as often as they should. Experts say around two ounces -- or a shot glass full -- will cover the whole body, and to apply every two hours.

Burn risks and skin cancer can also affect all skin types, and it's never too late to protect yourself, even if you got too much sun as a kid.

"There's sort of meter running on your skin," Rigel said.

Sunscreen should be applied before you get to the beach or pool. Experts say it takes a few minutes to kick in, even if it's water resistant.