Sunscreen is an essential part of taking care of our skin. Dermatologists universally acknowledge the benefits of sunscreen for promoting healthy skin and protecting it from the dangers of ultraviolet radiation.

“We can protect things from building up that can increase premature aging and the risk of skin cancer,” says Erum N. Ilyas, MD, MBE, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist.

While the benefits of skin cancer are evident, many still fail to use sunscreen correctly and effectively. Even if you take the time to apply sunscreen, there are common mistakes that undermine its effectiveness.

To help you get the most out of your sunscreen, we’ll uncover some of the most common mistakes together.

Disregarding the Product Label

When was the last time you read the label on your sunscreen?

Paying attention to the label on your sunscreen can give you insights into the strengths of the product, as well as reasons not to use it.

But even when reading the labels, many struggle with making sense of them.

So, what should we look for on the label of our sunscreen?

According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, one of the best ways to protect your skin is to use a sunscreen with the label, “broad spectrum.”

“Broad spectrum” means that the sunscreen can protect against both types of harmful UV rays: UVA and UVB. UVA is often associated with skin aging, while UVB is associated with skin burning. To maintain healthy skin, protection from both is critical.

Another label to check for is the SPF on your sunscreen - make sure that its an SPF of 30 or higher!

According to Northwestern Medicine, an SPF of 30 is high enough to block 97 percent of sun rays, which is often high enough to protect your skin. The higher the SPF from there, the smaller the difference becomes, with SPF 50 blocking 98 percent of sun rays.

Finally, check the labels for the term “water resistant.” This tells you that the sunscreen will stay on wet or sweaty skin for an extended period of time before you need to reapply. Water resistance lasts anywhere between 40-80 minutes.

Not Applying Sunscreen Daily

While weather is always changing, your skincare routine shouldn’t.

Rain or shine, it’s important to apply sunscreen daily, and not just when you go to the beach.

The World Health Organization states (WHO) that a high amount of  UV rays can pass through clouds. So whether it’s sunny or not, no matter the time of year, we should be applying sunscreen every day.

Even during winter and rainy seasons, the sun’s rays can be harmful.

“Reflective surfaces, such as water, sand and fresh snow, increase the UVR level,” states WHO.

The World Health Organization also states that sunscreen application is important even indoors. UVA rays can pass through most windows, leading to skin aging and cancer. 

So rather than mulling it over based on the day ahead of you, practice consistent application for maximum skin protection.

Not Using Enough Sunscreen 

Just slapping on sunscreen won’t cut it- to get proper coverage, you need to make sure you’re putting on enough.

To make sure you’re applying an adequate amount of sunscreen, Dermatologist Elizabeth Buzney suggests applying it like a thick coat of paint over your skin.

So how much sunscreen is enough? “Put one ounce of sunscreen on your entire body, or enough to fill one shot glass. And don’t forget your face,” suggests Dr. Buzney.

“Your head and neck make up 4 percent of your surface area, according to dermatologist and founder of Dr. Bailey Skin Care, Cynthia Bailey, MD

Calculate that out and that means when putting sunscreen on your face, you’ll need to apply about .04 ounces of sunscreen. 

Using an Expired Bottle

It’s true: sunscreen does not last forever. Even if the sunscreen doesn’t explicitly say when it’s good until, its shelf life is not indefinite.

The FDA requires that all sunscreens retain their original strength for at least three years. If you are using sunscreen older than three years, it may not be as effective as it could be.

The American Academy of Dermatology also advises readers to store their sunscreen in cool conditions away from direct sunlight, as overheating the bottle can break down the ingredients faster than they otherwise would.

If you are unsure of the age of your sunscreen and you notice visible signs of expiration, like a change in color or consistency, it’s time to toss the old bottle and buy a new one!

Incorrect Sunscreen Application

There’s more to wearing sunscreen besides the sheer amount of it. It’s also important that you apply correctly.

According to the FDA, you should apply 15 minutes before sun exposure. This allows the sunscreen enough time to absorb into your skin to provide maximum protection.

Applying 15 minutes before sun exposure isn’t all though. To ensure your sunscreen keeps protecting you, you need to be reapplying every 2 hours. If you’re sweating or swimming, you need to reapply even sooner.

Another tip from the FDA is to know your skin. Fair-skinned people are likely to absorb more solar energy than dark-skinned people under the same conditions and may be more likely to burn.

The following stated in article by FDA. Different article from above. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/understanding-over-counter-medicines/sunscreen-how-help-protect-your-skin-sun

Make sure you remember those easy to forget spots!

Frequently forgotten spots:

• Ears

• Lips (use SPF lip balm)

• Feet

• Hands

• Back of neck

• Along the hairline

Our Sunscreen Recommendations

Now that you're aware of the sunscreen mistakes you’ve been making, you might be wondering: what sunscreen should I try? And how do I know what’s best suited for me?

Thankfully, we’ve compiled a list of a few sunscreens to help you make the right decision. Here are our top recommendations:

1. Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Ultralight Emulsion Broad Spectrum SPF 50 

   Suited Best For: All skin types

   Board-certified dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MD, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology, recommends this product for all skin types, saying: "It's a lightweight emulsion that delivers moisture and mineral zinc oxide for a chemical-free, physical sunscreen that eliminates the possibility of allergy,"

2. EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

   Suited Best For: Acne-prone skin

   Tiffany J. Libby, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Brown Dermatology, recommends this product, saying, “I truly love it for all, and not just acne-prone patients. The product’s niacinamide, for example, can help counteract breakout-induced redness, but can also even out and brighten skin that doesn’t happen to be acne-prone.”

3. Dr. Loretta Universal Glow Daily Defense SPF 40 EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

   Suited Best For: Dry skin

   Esthetician and founder of Stalle Studios, Elizabeth Hand, recommends this sunscreen, and even says that she uses it daily. “The formulas are next level,” she says. She goes on to say that Dr. Loretta, creator of the product, “spent part of her career working the creator of the Fitzpatrick Scale, the universal classification system used to categorize human skin pigmentation and its response to UV light exposure, so she knows a thing or two about SPF.”

Stay Sun Smart

Avoiding these common sunscreen mistakes can make all the difference in protecting your skin from harmful UV rays. 

You don’t want to waste money on purchasing and applying sunscreen without using it in an effective way. So knowing how to use, applying often and generously, and reading your labels and expiration dates can help you make the most of the sunscreen you own.

When you build good habits around sunscreen, your skin stays beautiful and protected.

Here’s to keeping it happy and healthy all year round!