Are you making use of sufficient sunscreen? Are you making use of sunscreen accurately? Likelihood is that the reply to each questions is a convincing “no”! In response to the consultants, most individuals don’t know the right way to apply sunscreen or just don’t apply sufficient.
For instance, a research carried out by the American Academy of Dermatology found that whereas 80% of People are conscious that they need to apply sunscreen regularly when outside, only a few truly do.1
Let’s refresh our reminiscence by getting a whole information on the right way to apply sunscreen, together with how a lot and when. Our objective? 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 while you apply or reapply sunscreen. Give it some thought: your face, neck, and again of the arms 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: Find out how to apply sunscreen in your face
To your face, the equal of two full finger lengths ought to be sufficient to cowl it. Which means working your sunscreen down the size of your index and center finger (as proven within the picture under) and voila—that’s the right quantity.
Don’t neglect the tops of your ears, and extra easily-missed spots like simply above your cheekbones, or the perimeters of your face. It is best to use extra if it’s essential cowl the scalp or different areas past the face.
Which works 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 normally put on moisturizer, this ought to be utilized earlier than the sunscreen.
Can I skip moisturizer and use sunscreen?
Lengthy story brief, it’s advisable that you simply don’t, particularly throughout drier months, resembling January or February. You merely have to ensure that your pores and skin is protected with the suitable SPF degree, whether or not it’s included in a make-up product or a moisturizer. As indicated by the American Academy of Dermatology Affiliation (AAD), it is best to apply SPF 30 every day if you would like your pores and skin to be correctly protected.
Can I put make-up over sunscreen?
Sure! Though we all the time suggest sunscreen because the final step in your routine, make-up can in truth be utilized after. Additionally, if you happen to’re going to be outside or uncovered to the solar for longer durations, you possibly can all the time go for tinted sunscreen.
STEP 2: Find out how to apply sunscreen in your physique
When it comes to your physique, a superb rule of thumb is to use sufficient sunscreen to fill a 1oz shot glass, for all uncovered areas of pores and skin (for instance, while you’re carrying 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 lowered.
When utilizing a sprig sunscreen, it may be troublesome to measure precisely how a lot you’re making use of. Spray sunscreen have to 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 world of pores and skin the spray is directed at. After you have lined 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 is best to put on sunscreen on a regular basis because you’ll seemingly be uncovered to the solar rays sooner or later. This doesn’t imply it is best 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 in the course of 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 have 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 healthier, SPF 30 or SPF 50?
The SPF quantity tells you the common time it takes for UVB radiation to burn pores and skin when utilizing sunscreen as indicated on the label below regular solar situations — versus not utilizing any sunscreen. Which means that with good software of SPF 30, it could take round 30 instances longer to burn than if you happen to weren’t carrying sunscreen.
However there are some things to notice right here. This timeframe will depend on your pores and skin sort — honest pores and skin sorts 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 exploit?
Many dermatologists suggest utilizing mineral sunscreens with lively substances like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, that are usually appropriate for a variety of pores and skin sorts, together with delicate pores and skin. These sunscreens work by forming a ‘defend’ on prime of the pores and skin, serving to to deflect the solar’s rays.
Bodily sunscreens are inclined to have a thicker, chalkier formulation than chemical sunscreens, because of the lively substances. Our mineral sunscreen formulation are designed to be ultralight and fast-absorbing, spreading easily over the pores and skin with out the standard 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 may need. For instance, you probably have oily, acne-prone, or delicate pores and skin, utilizing the incorrect sunscreen will improve oil manufacturing or trigger extra irritation.
You additionally have to ensure that it doesn’t include aminobenzoic or para-aminobenzoic acids (PABA), as these are more likely to trigger pores and skin irritation, apart from 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 actually snug with; in spite of everything, not carrying sunscreen isn’t an choice! Whether or not it’s raining, sunny, or cloudy, making use of sunscreen ought to all the time be the final step in your skincare routine. If you wish to know the anticipated danger from publicity to the solar’s UV rays, take a look at ISDIN’s Native UV Index Software.
