May 23, 2023
The Complete Guide to Applying Facial Sunscreen
The benefits of sun protection are well known, and awareness campaigns educate the public about the risks of excessive sun exposure. We also know that the face is one of the body's most vulnerable areas. But what's the best way to apply sunscreen to your face for maximum protection?
How much sunscreen do you need on your face?
To properly cover their face, most adults need about 1-2 teaspoons of sunscreen. This should be enough to cover your face, ears, and exposed parts of your neck, as well as your hairline, which are important areas not to forget. You should apply a rather thick layer of broad-spectrum sunscreen all over your face.
What SPF is best for the face?
As your face is always in the sun and exposed to UVA and UVB rays, even on cloudy days in the UK, it's important that you apply SPF to your face all year round. When applying sunscreen to your face, it's important to remember that the skin on your face is more delicate and sensitive than other parts of your body, and some of us have very sensitive skin that gets easily irritated. This means you should pay closer attention to the products you apply to your face.
Many sunscreens are formulated specifically for the face, but not all are created equal. Some ingredients to look out for and avoid include alcohol, which is present in many sunscreens but is very drying, and PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid), to which many people react poorly. If you have particularly oily or acne-prone skin, you may want to look for a water-based or lighter sunscreen. If you're likely to be swimming, you should opt for a water-resistant sunscreen. And, if you have very dry or sensitive skin, you may want to look for a more soothing and richer sunscreen. We also recommend using an SPF lip balm to protect your lips from UVA and UVB rays.
How to properly apply sunscreen
There can be some confusion about whether you can apply sunscreen with your regular facial moisturizers, and in what order you should apply these products. In many cases, you can use a facial sunscreen instead of a regular facial moisturizer, although in winter or if you have very dry skin, you can use both. If you use both, we always recommend applying your moisturizer or skincare first before applying SPF. Therefore, if you use a lighter texture sunscreen, apply it first, and then apply your usual moisturizer.
How often should it be reapplied?
The SPF factor of a sunscreen tells us how long it can protect our skin. If a sunscreen product has an SPF 30, it means it should protect you against sunburn 30 times longer than if you weren't wearing it. We recommend using an SPF of 30 or higher on your face to ensure maximum protection and be sure to reapply it several times throughout the day, especially when you are in direct sunlight.
You should always reapply sunscreen after swimming, washing your face, or excessive sweating due to exercise or heat. Even if you use a water-resistant sunscreen, it usually lasts longer than its non-water-resistant counterparts, but you will still need to reapply protection frequently.
How much sunscreen do you need on your face?
To properly cover their face, most adults need about 1-2 teaspoons of sunscreen. This should be enough to cover your face, ears, and exposed parts of your neck, as well as your hairline, which are important areas not to forget. You should apply a rather thick layer of broad-spectrum sunscreen all over your face.
What SPF is best for the face?
As your face is always in the sun and exposed to UVA and UVB rays, even on cloudy days in the UK, it's important that you apply SPF to your face all year round. When applying sunscreen to your face, it's important to remember that the skin on your face is more delicate and sensitive than other parts of your body, and some of us have very sensitive skin that gets easily irritated. This means you should pay closer attention to the products you apply to your face.
Many sunscreens are formulated specifically for the face, but not all are created equal. Some ingredients to look out for and avoid include alcohol, which is present in many sunscreens but is very drying, and PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid), to which many people react poorly. If you have particularly oily or acne-prone skin, you may want to look for a water-based or lighter sunscreen. If you're likely to be swimming, you should opt for a water-resistant sunscreen. And, if you have very dry or sensitive skin, you may want to look for a more soothing and richer sunscreen. We also recommend using an SPF lip balm to protect your lips from UVA and UVB rays.
How to properly apply sunscreen
There can be some confusion about whether you can apply sunscreen with your regular facial moisturizers, and in what order you should apply these products. In many cases, you can use a facial sunscreen instead of a regular facial moisturizer, although in winter or if you have very dry skin, you can use both. If you use both, we always recommend applying your moisturizer or skincare first before applying SPF. Therefore, if you use a lighter texture sunscreen, apply it first, and then apply your usual moisturizer.
How often should it be reapplied?
The SPF factor of a sunscreen tells us how long it can protect our skin. If a sunscreen product has an SPF 30, it means it should protect you against sunburn 30 times longer than if you weren't wearing it. We recommend using an SPF of 30 or higher on your face to ensure maximum protection and be sure to reapply it several times throughout the day, especially when you are in direct sunlight.
You should always reapply sunscreen after swimming, washing your face, or excessive sweating due to exercise or heat. Even if you use a water-resistant sunscreen, it usually lasts longer than its non-water-resistant counterparts, but you will still need to reapply protection frequently.
