Protecting your skin this Summer doesn’t have to be difficult. We’ve found the most common sunscreen application mistakes and how you can keep your skin nice and refreshed, while enjoying the weather.
Applying too little sunscreen
Some people find that they get burnt even after applying sunscreen, and that’s because they aren’t applying enough sunscreen to begin with.
We like the seven teaspoon sunscreen rule, which means one teaspoon of sunscreen for 1:
- Each arm and leg
- Your face and neck
- For the front of your body and,
- For the back of your body.
It’s also important to remember that your sun damage risk has nothing to do with temperature and is all about the UV rays which can’t be seen or felt.
Forgetting key areas
If you’ve used the seven teaspoon rule, it can feel like you’ve got enough protection. However, forgetting key areas can cause more pain as they’ll have no protection at all. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to:
- The backs of your ears
- The back of your neck
- The front of your chest
- The tops of your feet and hands (especially if you’re barefoot!)
A good rule of thumb is if you can see the skin, you should put sunscreen on it. It might feel like overkill, but have you ever had sunburnt toes? Don’t wait to find out that kind of pain.
Not re-applying sunscreen enough
If you can’t remember the last time you applied sunscreen, it’s time to apply more. It’s recommended that you reapply sunscreen every two hours and always after swimming, sweating or drying yourself with a towel 2.
Ignoring the expiry date of your sunscreen
You definitely shouldn’t ignore the expiry dates of your sunscreen, although the shelf life of sunscreen differs depending on whether it’s been opened or not.
For open sunscreen, you have around six to twelve months to use it.
You have a little bit more time with unopened sunscreen, as they last around two to three years.
Which sunscreen to choose?
Don’t worry, you can stay safe without the greasy feel of some sunscreens with Ego’s Sunsense Performance SPF 50+ 500mL. This sunscreen has a light and non-greasy formula that’s suitable for your face and body.
It’s SPF50+, has up to four hours of water resistance, and has UVA and UVB Broad Spectrum protection, which can keep you safe from the different types of rays from the sun.
If you want to keep sun-safe this Summer, visit your local Blooms The Chemist for all your suncare needs. Our team can’t wait to help.
This is a sponsored article in partnership with EGO. You can find more of their products here .
References
1Sunsense, How to apply sunscreen correctly, accessed 20 December 2024
2Healthdirect, The 7 biggest sunscreen mistakes people make , accessed 20 December 2024