Reaching for a bottle of sunscreen sure isn't as easy as it used to be. Remember the days when all we cared about was matching our swimsuit to the neon colored zinc oxide we rubbed on our noses? We then ran with our rainbow faces toward the ocean without thinking twice about soaking up the sun's rays.

Summertime as an adult can still be carefree, but since we know how damaging the sun can be, it's time to take the guesswork out of our sunscreen regimen. First of all, sunscreen should be worn every single day, not just reserved for jaunts to the beach. To protect your face, choose a lightweight facial moisturizer that has an SPF of at least 15, and apply it before putting on your make-up each morning. I also prefer to block out the sun altogether by wearing a fabulous hat and some stylish shades if I'll be outdoors for a great length of time.

As for the rest of your body, here's where it gets a bit tricky... most sunscreens on the market only protect against UVB rays. Skin cancer and signs of aging (wrinkles, brown spots, gasp!) are caused by the sun's UVA rays. UVB rays are the ultraviolet rays that cause Burning, while UVA rays are the ultraviolet rays that cause Aging. So select a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays by making sure it contains either zinc oxide, avobenzone, or titanium dioxide.

Don't wait until you're outdoors to apply sunscreen. Slather on the goods at least 20 minutes before embracing the sunshine, and then re-apply every two hours or more if you suspect taking a dip has stripped you of your protection. If you're a big swimmer, opt for a water resistant sunscreen. Do a thorough job and don't forget to cover areas such as the tips of your ears and the tops of your feet. Lip balm with an SPF 15 is also great to have on hand to protect your perfect pucker from chapping.

Sunscreen typically has a shelf life of about three years, but a bottle shouldn't last you that long because one application for your entire body should fill a shot glass. So raise that glass and say, "Cheers," but skip the toasting this summer!