The Sun-Care Lexicon

Maybe you're prepping for your SATs or cramming as many GRE words into your brain as cognitively possible. Whatever the occasion--whether a freshman-year pop-quiz or a college literature exam--a good vocabulary never goes out of style. But there are some vocabulary lists that don't get the attention they deserve. Today, we're going to take a look at some important words in the sun care lexicon.

SPF: This acronym stands for "sun protection factor" and conveys how well a sunscreen protects your skin from solar radiation. (In reality, it is the ratio between how much radiation it would take to burn unprotected skin versus how much radiation it would take to burn screened skin.)

Photostable: Many sunscreens on the market tout this label; it just means that they won't degrade when left in the sunlight, which is lucky. What good is a sunscreen that decomposes at the beach?

Nanoparticles: Sure, they sound like something out of a Marvel superhero movie, but these little guys actually exist. In order to earn the "nano" prefix, the particles must be less than 100 nanometers in diameter, which makes them common ingredients in physical sunscreens. The tiny particles allow the zinc oxide to dry clear, rather than white.

Anti-oxidants: These powerhouses neutralize damage caused by free-radicals. Combined with a good sunscreen, they'll keep you safe all summer long.

Melanoma: This is the most dangerous kind of skin cancer and the number one cause of skin-related deaths each year. How to avoid it? Use sunscreen whenever outside and reapply it every two hours. Also, do what you already know: avoid tanning salons!