FYI, we will always be team sunscreen. SPF is key to preventing sunburns and signs of premature aging (like fine lines and dark spots). And though you probably have your daily sunscreen routine down, did you know that you have to reapply it throughout the day? Yup, it’s crucial to reapply your sunscreen—especially if you’re spending the day in the sun.
OK, but what about my makeup? Don’t worry beauty gals. We reached out to three experts for their best tips on reapplying SPF while wearing a full face.
First things first, why is reapplying sunscreen so important?
You can pat yourself on the back for applying sunscreen in the morning all you want but that doesn’t mean the same protection is going to be there for the rest of the day. If you want to fully reap the benefits of your SPF, you need to stay on top of reapplying it every few hours.
“I always recommend that people not only apply sunscreen to their face daily, but reapply often, especially when outside, next to a window, or when swimming or sweating. The skin on the face is some of the most delicate skin on the body, and is therefore the most vulnerable to the sun,” says Dr. Corey L. Hartman, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL.
Gotcha, but what happens if I don’t?
“In the short term, you may get a burn and your face can be red, painful and tender to touch. A couple days later you may see peeling of the burned skin,” said Dr. Hartman. “There are also long-term effects as well, like skin cancer and accelerated aging of the skin, which can lead to hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles and dull, tired skin.”
So how often should I use sunscreen?
Whether you’re at the beach or working from home, you should be applying sunscreen every two to three hours. Dr. Hartman also recommends paying close attention to the time of year, where you are geographically and the types of activities you’re doing to determine how often you should reapply.
“If it’s the middle of winter and you’re only outside when you get in and out of your car, applying sunscreen once in the morning should be OK. But now, during the height of summer, more people are spending their lunch breaks outside and spending their weekends out enjoying activities–and if you’re doing that, you should definitely be reapplying throughout the day,” he explained.
