Are you making use of sufficient sunscreen? Are you making use of sunscreen accurately? Chances are high that the reply to each questions is a convincing “no”! In line with the consultants, most individuals don’t know how you can apply sunscreen or just don’t apply sufficient.
For instance, a examine carried out by the American Academy of Dermatology found that whereas 80% of People are conscious that they need to apply sunscreen often when open air, only a few truly do.1
Let’s refresh our reminiscence by getting a whole information on how you can apply sunscreen, together with how a lot and when. Our aim? To be sure to’re shielded from the solar’s dangerous rays, 12 months a yr.
How do you apply sunscreen step-by-step?
To start with, it’s essential to contemplate which elements of your pores and skin might be uncovered to the solar whenever you apply or reapply sunscreen. Give it some thought: your face, neck, and again of the fingers are uncovered to daylight all through the day, even whereas indoors or driving in your automobile, whereas your physique is commonly protected by clothes or a bit extra hidden from the solar whereas out and about.
So let’s break this down into making use of sunscreen on the face and neck and making use of sunscreen on the physique.
STEP 1: The way to apply sunscreen in your face
To your face, the equal of two full finger lengths needs to be sufficient to cowl it. Which means operating your sunscreen down the size of your index and center finger (as proven within the picture beneath) and voila—that’s the right quantity.
Don’t overlook the tops of your ears, and extra easily-missed spots like simply above your cheekbones, or the perimeters of your face. It’s best to use extra if it’s worthwhile to cowl the scalp or different areas past the face.
Which matches on first, moisturizer or sunscreen?
Whether or not it’s a chemical or bodily sunscreen, it’s essential to use sunscreen because the final step. So, if you happen to often put on moisturizer, this needs to be utilized earlier than the sunscreen.
Can I skip moisturizer and use sunscreen?
Lengthy story quick, it’s beneficial that you simply don’t, particularly throughout drier months, resembling January or February. You merely must be sure that your pores and skin is protected with the correct SPF stage, whether or not it’s included in a make-up product or a moisturizer. As indicated by the American Academy of Dermatology Affiliation (AAD), you need to apply SPF 30 each day if you’d like your pores and skin to be correctly protected.
Can I put make-up over sunscreen?
Sure! Though we at all times suggest sunscreen because the final step in your routine, make-up can actually be utilized after. Additionally, if you happen to’re going to be open air or uncovered to the solar for longer intervals, you possibly can at all times go for tinted sunscreen.
STEP 2: The way to apply sunscreen in your physique
When it comes to your physique, a very good rule of thumb is to use sufficient sunscreen to fill a 1oz shot glass, for all uncovered areas of pores and skin (for instance, whenever you’re sporting a swimsuit). It’s higher to be beneficiant, as not making use of sufficient sunscreen and spreading it thinly means the quantity of safety the sunscreen provides might be diminished.
When utilizing a sprig sunscreen, it may be tough to measure precisely how a lot you’re making use of. Spray sunscreen should be rubbed into the pores and skin to supply safety, not merely sprayed on prime of the pores and skin and left.
Spray the product most 2 inches away from the pores and skin, and spray generously, till a sheen seems on the realm of pores and skin the spray is directed at. Upon getting coated an space of the physique with the spray sheen, it’s essential to rub the sunscreen in and proceed to reapply all through the day.
Ought to I put on sunscreen on a regular basis?
It’s best to put on sunscreen on a regular basis because you’ll doubtless be uncovered to the solar rays sooner or later. This doesn’t imply you need to solely put on sunscreen when the solar is out and shining – the solar emits dangerous rays year-round, so sunscreen is important regardless of the climate.
When it comes to when to use sunscreen throughout the day, be sure to apply it quarter-hour earlier than publicity (e.g earlier than you permit the home). When out within the solar, you ought to be re-applying:
- Each two hours
- Each time you sweat closely (e.g throughout train) or after swimming
- Instantly after towel drying
Which is best, SPF 30 or SPF 50?
The SPF quantity tells you the typical time it takes for UVB radiation to burn pores and skin when utilizing sunscreen as indicated on the label below regular solar circumstances — versus not utilizing any sunscreen. Which means that with excellent utility of SPF 30, it might take round 30 instances longer to burn than if you happen to weren’t sporting sunscreen.
However there are some things to notice right here. This timeframe is dependent upon your pores and skin sort — honest pores and skin varieties can burn sooner than common. Furthermore, most individuals don’t apply sufficient sunscreen, in quantity or frequency. So, it’s important to use sunscreen as specified on the product label.
So, which sunscreen ought to I take advantage of?
Many dermatologists suggest utilizing mineral sunscreens with lively components like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, that are usually appropriate for a variety of pores and skin varieties, together with delicate pores and skin. These sunscreens work by forming a ‘protect’ on prime of the pores and skin, serving to to deflect the solar’s rays.
Bodily sunscreens are inclined to have a thicker, chalkier method than chemical sunscreens, as a result of lively components. Our mineral sunscreen formulation are designed to be ultralight and fast-absorbing, spreading easily over the pores and skin with out the everyday white, greasy end left by different formulation.
What are the disadvantages of utilizing sunscreen?
It’s not that utilizing sunscreen has disadvantages, however utilizing the incorrect one in your pores and skin might need. For instance, when you have oily, acne-prone, or delicate pores and skin, utilizing the incorrect sunscreen will enhance oil manufacturing or trigger extra irritation.
You additionally must be sure that it doesn’t comprise aminobenzoic or para-aminobenzoic acids (PABA), as these are more likely to trigger pores and skin irritation, moreover staining your garments.2
It’s essential to discover a sunscreen that’s appropriate in your pores and skin and that you simply really feel really comfy with; in any case, not sporting sunscreen will not be an possibility! Whether or not it’s raining, sunny, or cloudy, making use of sunscreen ought to at all times be the final step in your skincare routine. If you wish to know the anticipated threat from publicity to the solar’s UV rays, try ISDIN’s Native UV Index Instrument.
1. “Confused about sunscreen? New American Academy of Dermatology survey exhibits People want a refresher on sunscreen utility and SPF.” American Academy of Dermatology, 25 Might 2021, https://www.aad.org/information/aad-survey-shows-americans-need-sunscreen-education. Accessed 19 October 2022.
2. “PARA-AMINOBENZOIC ACID (PABA): Overview, Makes use of, Aspect Results, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Opinions.” WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/nutritional vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1004/para-aminobenzoic-acid-paba. Accessed 20 October 2022.
Amy is a content material strategist who turned a part-time obsession with skincare right into a full-time ardour. Her expertise as a artistic storyteller features a vary of life-style and expertise subjects throughout Washington D.C. and Barcelona. What’s in her journey bag? Eye contour cream and sunscreen, at all times.
