The Sunscreen Mistakes You Never Want To Make
The season of sun, sea and sand means that protecting your skin is more important than ever. Here’s how to ensure your skin is safe and guarded from UV damage this summer – and beyond.
Feel like your sunscreen game is a little off? While some SPF slip-ups are harmless (applied too much? Not a problem!), some common mistakes can – and will – unknowingly damage your skin and speed up the aging process.
Not down with that? Then take note of the following to make sure you know exactly how to keep your skin safe from the sun's perilous ways.
Mistake #1: Not applying enough sunscreen
The most common mistake, and arguably the most important one to rectify, is applying too little sunscreen. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) most people only apply around 25-50 percent of the recommended amount of sunscreen. And that’s not good enough because if you don’t apply enough you’ll starve your precious skin of the protection it rightly deserves.
The general rule of thumb is that you need about a shot glass full of sunscreen lotion to cover your entire body, and 1/2 teaspoon for your face and neck combined. It feels like a lot, but trust us, it's worth it.
If you’re using our super concentrated SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Facial Serum, however, you need only apply three to five drops under your moisturizer. It's a genius, concentrated hit of UV protection in a super lightweight serum. Figured we should mention that in case you hadn’t tried it yet.
Mistake #2: Ignoring commonly overlooked areas
You may think you’re an absolute pro at applying sunscreen but there are certain areas that almost always get forgotten about. These include your lips (gotta love an excuse for a new SPF lip balm, right?), your ears, behind the knees, the soles of your feet, your eyelids, the hairline and down your part.
Mistake #3: Forgetting to reapply your sunscreen
Reckon your sunscreen lasts all day? Afraid not. In fact, when sunscreen is exposed to direct sunlight it starts to lose effectiveness almost immediately. This process speeds up lightning fast if you’re sweating or swimming.
Experts agree you should reapply every two hours. No arguments.
When it comes to daily exposure whilst wearing makeup and not on the beach or outside all day long, this can be tricky, we get that. In these instances we like to double down with protection in the morning, applying a really good antioxidant serum like Vitamin C Super Serum +, followed by SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen. Finish with makeup that also contains some form of UV protection, avoid too much exposure throughout the day and you should be a-OK.
Mistake #4: Only applying face sunscreen on sunny days
Just because there are clouds in the sky, this doesn’t mean UV radiation has gone on vacation. It’s still there, penetrating right through those clouds and prepared to do a real number on your skin if you let it. So don’t. According to the AAD, up to 80 percent of UV rays can still penetrate your skin on cloudy days so make sure you apply sunscreen to all areas of exposed skin (face, neck and hands) all year round. PS: this is super easy if you chose our SPF serum. Just wanted to point that out.
Mistake #5: Thinking water resistant sunscreen is waterproof
According to the FDA there is no such thing as waterproof sunscreen. How so? Because all sunscreens eventually wash off. Granted, water-resistant sunscreens are great if you’re spending time in the water, but you must remember that they do not give you all-day protection. Far from it. In fact, water-resistant sunscreens can only remain effective for up to 80 minutes, often as little as 40 minutes.
Always read the label first to check for the length of protection your sunscreen offers when swimming or sweating. And reapply regularly.
Mistake #6: Using expired sunscreen
Just like the best of us, sunscreens age. And when a sunscreen gets too old it can lose its efficacy, causing your trusted SPF 30 to be downgraded to an SPF 10 at best.
The FDA states that, unless otherwise stated, all sunscreens have to retain their original SPF for at least three years, so if you’ve had bottles hanging around longer than that, it’s time to toss them out. Not sure how old your sunscreens are? Toss them anyway, especially if the formulation has become clumpy or separated. It’s simply not worth the risk.
Going forward, it’s wise to write the month and year on the back of the bottle so you know when you bought it and can be vigilant when it’s had its day. Also, remember to store it properly – out of direct sunlight and never in a hot car or garage as this could accelerate the degradation process.
Mistake #7: Applying sunscreen too late
Mineral sunscreens like ours have the edge over chemical formulations because they work immediately, reflecting UV radiation from the surface of your skin as soon as they’re applied to the skin. Chemical sunscreens, however, need to be absorbed by the skin before they get to work so they must be applied a good 20 minutes before sun exposure. This means that applying your chemical sunscreen after you leave the house or get to the beach, park or pool is simply too late.
No matter what type of sunscreen you use, it’s smart to apply it before getting dressed in the morning. Not only are you less likely to miss a spot when you’re not rushing, but you know that as soon as you go outside, you’re protected for at least a few hours.
Mistake #8: Believing SPF 60 is twice as effective as SPF 30
The SPF rating of a sunscreen can be tricky to get your head around but it’s important to understand it (if only a little).
First, never go lower than a broad-spectrum SPF 30 formulation. Most experts agree that SPF 30 is the sweet spot because it blocks around 97 percent of UV radiation. Of course, going above this will block more but the increments are minimal. So that SPF 60 you reckon allows you to stay in the sun for double the time? Nonsense. Doubling the SPF rating does not double your level of protection. The truth is, SPF 60 only blocks maybe one or two percent more than SPF 30.
Also, don’t forget to look out for that extra ‘broad-spectrum’ part. SPF ratings only denote the level of UVB protection whereas a broad-spectrum product shows that it protects your skin from both UVA and UVB radiation. That’s important stuff so if you don’t see this on your label, switch it out for something far superior.
And we can help you out with that, right here...
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![Is There A Right And A Wrong Way To Apply Sunscreen?]()
Sunscreen application might seem simple but do it wrong and it can leave your skin vulnerable to dark spots, premature wrinkles… and worse.
Applying facial sunscreen is arguably the nation’s least favorite beauty habit. Of course, we know it’s crucial to protect the skin from damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation. But still, sun protection can be a real bore.
The most important thing to remember about applying sunscreen to your face, however, is that even the worst, most imperfect dousing of daily SPF is better than nothing at all. And the reason is simple. Sun damage is cumulative and it’s very, very real. In fact, it accounts for almost 90 percent of external skin aging like fine lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness and those pesky dark spots. Quick refresher: the skin on your face is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your body so it’s more susceptible to sun damage. This means that every day you skip facial sun protection you’re basically allowing UV rays to silently chip away at your skin’s youthful good looks. Not only that, but UV radiation is proven to be the primary cause of skin cancer.
The sun and your skin? Arch enemies.
We think you’ll agree that your skin deserves to stay ahead of the sun damage game so, while it may not be super-glamorous or immediately gratifying, it’s important to know how to apply sunscreen. Get it right and you'll know you're doing everything you can to help preserve your youthful-looking skin while significantly reducing your risk of developing skin cancer.
So here’s your suncare lesson for today…
How To Master Your Sunscreen Technique
1. DO Apply The Right Amount
This is by far the most important thing to know about applying sunscreen: you need more than you think. No matter if you’re applying a cream, oily, spray or serum, read the instructions on the label and don’t ever scrimp. If you do, you’re likely to cut the SPF level by as much as half. Eesh.
The rule of thumb is that most face SPF lotions require about a nickel-sized dollop to give you adequate protection. Our SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Facial Serum is quite different to regular sunscreen, however, so you don’t need to apply quite that much. You'll still need more than the normal serum sweet spot of one or two drops, though. We recommend three to five drops to hit that important SPF 30 mark.
2. DO Use The Dot & Blend Method
Rather than squirting your sunscreen into your hands then spreading it haphazardly all over your face, try dotting it on your forehead, cheeks, nose, chin and neck. This will ensure you get an even and thorough distribution which you can then gently spread all over using light circular motions.
3. DO Stick With Sunscreen That’s Formulated For The Face
Facial sunscreens like our awesome SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen with Vitamin C are crafted specifically to care for the delicate skin on your face which makes them far superior to regular body sunscreen. Body sunscreen is great for, well, the body, but facial formulations are typically more gentle, lightweight and often made with non-comedogenic ingredients to minimize pore blockage.
Ours also contains other fabulous ingredients like sodium ascorbyl phosphate (vitamin C), aloe vera and vegan marine collagen to feed your skin with antioxidants, hydration and brightening goodness.
4. DO Get Your Timing Spot On
It’s important to know that while mineral sunscreens (they’re the ones that contain ingredients like zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide) have an immediate effect, chemical sunscreens don’t. In fact, these should always be applied a good 20-30 minutes before heading out into the sun to give them time to soak into your skin and get ready to work.
If you’re not sure what kind of sunscreen you’re using, check the label and, if in doubt, apply yours in good time before exposing your skin to any kind of UV radiation.
5. DO Know How To Layer
If you’re applying other skincare products, always apply these before regular sunscreen lotion. Of course, our innovative serum should be applied after cleansing and before moisturizing (it is a serum after all!), but any other sun protective skincare product should be the final step of your morning routine. You can then apply makeup on top if you wish. Just make sure you wait a few minutes for the sunscreen to settle, then use light pressure only.
Common Sunscreen Mistakes You Don't Want To Make
1. DON’T Rely On Makeup To Protect Your Skin
Sure, SPF makeup is better than nothing, but the amount you apply is rarely enough to give you adequate protection to shield your skin from those harmful UV rays. You’re much better off applying a dedicated, broad-spectrum facial sunscreen underneath your foundation for reliable protection.
We know all this can be a bit of a hack but, honestly, our SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Facial Serum makes it so easy to protect your skin, there are no excuses for not using it on the reg.
2. DON’T Forget These Often-Missed Areas
Two of the most common skin cancer hotspots are around your hairline and along your part so make sure you protect these just as you do your face. Don’t fancy rubbing cream into your part line and ruining your hair? Invest in a dedicated, oil-free SPF spray which will do the trick nicely. Also, don’t forget to apply sunscreen around the entire perimeter of your neck, as well as over your ears, lips, eyelids and hands.
3. DON’T Rub It In Too Much
A light touch is the best approach when applying your sunscreen. How so? Because vigorous rubbing can irritate the skin. It also has the potential to disturb the carefully crafted formula and potentially break down the sunscreen’s protective film. Go gently, people!
4. DON’T Apply SPF To Dirty Skin
Sunscreen works way more efficiently when it’s applied to freshly cleansed skin. Applying it over an oily or sweaty face can create an uneven layer which won’t protect you as well as it should. This is why it’s beneficial to apply it first thing, after washing your skin as part of your regular morning routine.
5. DON’T Forget To Reapply
If you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, it’s important to reapply every two hours – especially if you’re swimming or doing activities which cause you to sweat. Sunscreens are broken down by exposure to sunlight so they become less efficient over prolonged periods of time outside. For even coverage when reapplying, give your face and neck a quick cleanse with a facial wipe and then apply generously.
Also, hear this, no sunscreen is entirely waterproof, it’s just not scientifically possible. They can be water-resistant, for sure, but 100 percent waterproof? Nope. That’s why reapplying when swimming or in the water is absolutely non-negotiable. You hearing us? Good.
Is There A Right And A Wrong Way To Apply Sunscreen?
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