The hot weather is here and it's time to get serious about sunscreen -- but how do you make sense of all the SPF products that pack the drugstore shelves and enhance your favorite moisturizers and liquid makeup? Well, there are a few ways to figure out the right SPF (that's Sun Protection Factor) product for you.

1. Look for the right ingredients.

No matter what your skin type, ensure the best results by reading the ingredients label on your tube of lotion or jar of tinted moisturizer. Mexoryl, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Helioplex, Oxinoxate and Homosalate are all strong sun defenders.

2. Fake the bake with SPF-enhanced self-tanners.

Most women need at least an SPF 15 if they're running around town and an SPF 30 or higher if they're getting above-average daily sun exposure on the face and body.

3. Choose formulas that won't irritate your skin.

If your skin tends to be on the sensitive side:

Go for a natural chemical-free sunscreen like Ecolani Chemical Free Sunscreen ($15) that contains Titanium Dioxide.

If your skin tends to break out:

Use oil-free sunscreens with Parsol 1789.

For fair skin:

Zinc Oxide offers total block to guard against burning so try my personal favorite SkinCeuticals Sport Defense SPF 45 (from $28).

4. Incorporate SPF-formulas into your makeup routine.

I recommend putting moisturizer on before applying sunscreen. Wait a few moments to let it soak in and then follow with your normal makeup routine. You can also choose a tinted moisturizer with a SPF like Cover Girl Smoothers SPF 15 Tinted Coverage (from $5.49) to save time in the morning.

If you hate sunscreen stinging your eyes, I like to use an eye cream with SPF around the eye area then a separate one for the face. Kiehls Protective Moisturizing Eye Gel with SPF 15 ($30) will moisturize and protect without causing pain.

5. Don't Forget to Protect Your Lips!

There are lots of colorful balms and glosses that will shield your lips from the sun's harsh UV rays. Tarte 24/7 Lip Sheers with SPF 15 ($14) come in many fun summer colors so just swipe one on for lush protected lips.

I understand the desire to look tan as we shed our layers of clothing in the heat, but the dangers of the sun are real and a good SPF can keep you looking younger and skin cancer-free if you protect yourself. E-mail these tips to yourself or print out this post and put it up on your fridge, bathroom or bedroom mirror so you can keep them close -- then have your fun in the sun without worry.