You've probably heard the advice to wear sunscreen more times than you can count. Sunscreen is important to protect your skin, not only from skin cancer but from premature aging. But the advice to wear sunscreen is incomplete. How do you wear it effectively? Here are some tips to help you out in that regard.
Choose a high-SPF sunscreen.
First, you want to choose a sunscreen that's actually going to do a good job. There are a lot of moisturizers out there with SPF 15. They're better than nothing, but SPF 15 does not offer that much protection if you're actually going to spend a significant amount of time outdoors. Look for a sunscreen that has SPF 50. That's enough protection for pretty much anyone. You really can't have too much SPF.
Apply the sunscreen first.
Sunscreens need to be absorbed into your skin in order to work their best. So, you really want sunscreen to be the first thing you apply to your skin. If you use moisturizer, you can apply a light moisturizer first as long as you wait a few minutes for it to absorb before applying the sunscreen. But you want to apply the sunscreen before any makeup and before any bug spray. Let it fully absorb into your skin before applying anything over the top of it.
Use plenty.
Sometimes people use a little dab of sunscreen because they don't want to wait for it to absorb. But a dab isn't too effective. You should really be applying sunscreen liberally. If you don't have to wait a few minutes for it to absorb, you're probably not applying enough. If you're worried about the sunscreen looking funny on your skin, look for mineral sunscreen. They tend to have a more "natural" look and finish after you apply them, even if you use a lot.
Reapply throughout the day.
One application of sunscreen probably is not enough for a whole day outside. Check your sunscreen bottle to see how often it recommends reapplying and stick to that recommendation. If it recommends reapplying every three hours, do so. Failing to reapply could mean sunburn later in the day.
If you follow the tips above, you'll be able to use your sunscreen more effectively. Since you're already buying this product, it only makes sense to use it in the ways it works best. Good luck, and have a good time outdoors.
Contact a retailer for information about sunscreen options, such as mineral antioxidant sunscreen SPF 50+.
