May 23, 2023
How often should sunscreen be applied?
In recent years, we have all become much more aware of the importance of using good quality sunscreen lotions and oils to defend our skin from the harmful effects of over-exposure to the sun. But often people are still unsure how much sunscreen they need, and how often they need to reapply it for maximum protection.
How often should you apply sunscreen?
The commonly known and accepted advice is that it is best to completely reapply sunscreen after one and a half to two hours. However, you can never have too much sun protection, so especially if you are spending a lot of time in very direct, bright and midday sun, there’s nothing wrong with topping up as much as possible.
Why is it important to reapply sunscreen?
There are two main reasons to regularly reapply your sunscreen: to protect yourself from surface level burns (UVB rays) and to protect yourself from harmful aging at a deeper level (UVA rays). Sunburn is often a consequence of improper and infrequent application, rather than the use of an inferior product; a fairly basic sunscreen can give you excellent protection if you use it correctly. Making sure you have adequate sun protection is particularly important if you are more vulnerable to sun damage. People most susceptible to sunburn and, in some cases, skin cancer, are those who have:
Very pale complexion
Red hair and/or lots of freckles
Lots of moles
Chronic health conditions affecting the skin
A family history of skin cancer
In these cases, we recommend using a sun cream with a high SPF that is dermatologically approved, such as the Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Milk range.
Does a higher SPF make a difference?
The SPF factor of the sun protection product you use makes a big difference to how often you will need to reapply it. Generally, sun creams with a high SPF will protect you for longer from sun damage. A sun cream with SPF 15 will not provide effective protection for as long as one with SPF 30, so you should choose a product that suits the level of sun exposure you are experiencing. We recommend using a daily sunscreen, particularly one with an SPF 30 for your face, even on cloudy days, as UVA and UVB rays can still penetrate clouds.
How long does sunscreen actually last on your skin?
How long your sun protection lasts will depend on what you are doing. If you are swimming, you will not be protected for long, as the cream is likely to wash off in the water or be rubbed off by your towel. The length of time your sunscreen lasts will also depend on its SPF factor. Generally, if you use a sun cream with SPF 50, you will be protected from the sun for 50 times longer than if you were wearing no cream at all. However, the format of the sun cream makes no difference to your skin’s protection: whether it’s an oil, lotion, or spray, they all perform the same function.
When should I apply sun cream more often?
If you are spending a lot of time in direct sunlight, rather than indoors or in the shade, and if you are not very covered by your clothing, it is especially important to apply sun cream frequently, every 90 minutes or every 2 hours. If you are exercising a lot, sweat can dilute sun cream and cause it to run off, so you will need to reapply more often if you are playing sports or exercising in hot weather or direct sun. If you are sweating heavily or swimming, opt for an active or water-resistant sun cream, though you should still reapply regularly.
What are the risks of not reapplying sunscreen?
Not reapplying sunscreen regularly and properly can leave you exposed to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, and thus more prone to sun damage. This can manifest itself as sunburn, which causes pain, heat and redness to the skin, with likely peeling, and can even cause sunstroke, where you become dizzy and nauseous. In the worst case, over-exposure to the sun can be a cause of skin cancers. If you are spending a lot of time in the sun, as well as regularly reapplying sun cream, you should check any moles and blemishes you may have for sudden changes or abnormalities. You can find lots of information about the risks of sun exposure and sun damage, and advice on protecting yourself from the sun, on the NHS website.
How often should you apply sunscreen?
The commonly known and accepted advice is that it is best to completely reapply sunscreen after one and a half to two hours. However, you can never have too much sun protection, so especially if you are spending a lot of time in very direct, bright and midday sun, there’s nothing wrong with topping up as much as possible.
Why is it important to reapply sunscreen?
There are two main reasons to regularly reapply your sunscreen: to protect yourself from surface level burns (UVB rays) and to protect yourself from harmful aging at a deeper level (UVA rays). Sunburn is often a consequence of improper and infrequent application, rather than the use of an inferior product; a fairly basic sunscreen can give you excellent protection if you use it correctly. Making sure you have adequate sun protection is particularly important if you are more vulnerable to sun damage. People most susceptible to sunburn and, in some cases, skin cancer, are those who have:
Very pale complexion
Red hair and/or lots of freckles
Lots of moles
Chronic health conditions affecting the skin
A family history of skin cancer
In these cases, we recommend using a sun cream with a high SPF that is dermatologically approved, such as the Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Milk range.
Does a higher SPF make a difference?
The SPF factor of the sun protection product you use makes a big difference to how often you will need to reapply it. Generally, sun creams with a high SPF will protect you for longer from sun damage. A sun cream with SPF 15 will not provide effective protection for as long as one with SPF 30, so you should choose a product that suits the level of sun exposure you are experiencing. We recommend using a daily sunscreen, particularly one with an SPF 30 for your face, even on cloudy days, as UVA and UVB rays can still penetrate clouds.
How long does sunscreen actually last on your skin?
How long your sun protection lasts will depend on what you are doing. If you are swimming, you will not be protected for long, as the cream is likely to wash off in the water or be rubbed off by your towel. The length of time your sunscreen lasts will also depend on its SPF factor. Generally, if you use a sun cream with SPF 50, you will be protected from the sun for 50 times longer than if you were wearing no cream at all. However, the format of the sun cream makes no difference to your skin’s protection: whether it’s an oil, lotion, or spray, they all perform the same function.
When should I apply sun cream more often?
If you are spending a lot of time in direct sunlight, rather than indoors or in the shade, and if you are not very covered by your clothing, it is especially important to apply sun cream frequently, every 90 minutes or every 2 hours. If you are exercising a lot, sweat can dilute sun cream and cause it to run off, so you will need to reapply more often if you are playing sports or exercising in hot weather or direct sun. If you are sweating heavily or swimming, opt for an active or water-resistant sun cream, though you should still reapply regularly.
What are the risks of not reapplying sunscreen?
Not reapplying sunscreen regularly and properly can leave you exposed to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, and thus more prone to sun damage. This can manifest itself as sunburn, which causes pain, heat and redness to the skin, with likely peeling, and can even cause sunstroke, where you become dizzy and nauseous. In the worst case, over-exposure to the sun can be a cause of skin cancers. If you are spending a lot of time in the sun, as well as regularly reapplying sun cream, you should check any moles and blemishes you may have for sudden changes or abnormalities. You can find lots of information about the risks of sun exposure and sun damage, and advice on protecting yourself from the sun, on the NHS website.
