Can I apply sunscreen to wet skin?

Does sunscreen work on damp skin?

Dry skin is the recommended starting point, including after washing your face or getting out of the water. Applying sunscreen when you are already perspiring can make it less effective. There is no useful percentage to put on how much protection remains on damp skin, so do not treat a wet application as equivalent to applying it correctly.3

Water resistance does not mean waterproof, and it is not permission to skip drying before application. Even water resistant sunscreen needs reapplication after swimming or sweating, so the word "water" on the bottle has not cancelled the towel.1

Should I dry off before applying sunscreen?

Yes. After cleansing, rinse off the cleanser and gently pat your face dry with a clean towel. You do not need to scrub your skin dry. After swimming, dry off before putting on the next application of ordinary sunscreen. Towel drying is itself a reason to reapply, even if you applied sunscreen before entering the water.24

How to apply sunscreen after washing or swimming

1. 1Gently dry your skin. If you already applied ordinary sunscreen while wet, dry off and reapply using the same dry skin routine.
2. 2Apply a generous amount to every exposed area. Most adults need about 1 ounce, roughly a shot glass, to cover skin not covered by clothing; larger bodies can need more.
3. 3Cover the easy places to miss: ears, neck, backs of the hands, tops of the feet, exposed scalp and skin beside clothing straps.
4. 4Allow about 15 minutes before sun exposure. Apply before heading outdoors rather than waiting until you reach the beach.
5. 5Reapply approximately every two hours outdoors, and after swimming, sweating or towel drying. Follow the directions on your bottle.

For your face, use about two finger lengths of sunscreen, measured along your index and middle fingers from base to tip. Getting the skin dry does not replace getting the amount right: people commonly use too little sunscreen. Check the expiration date before using the bottle you packed.5

What should I look for on the bottle?

Choose SPF 30 or higher, broad spectrum protection and water resistance. Broad spectrum means protection against both UVA and UVB, the two types of ultraviolet rays that reach your skin. SPF mainly describes protection against UVB, the rays responsible for sunburn; the number alone is not the whole checklist.456

Creams are useful for dry skin and the face, gels for oily skin and hairy areas, and sticks for the eye area. A spray still needs careful coverage: spray until the skin glistens, then rub it in evenly. Never spray near the face or mouth, into the wind, or near heat or an open flame.15

Reapply even if the packaging says "all day" or "once a day", because rubbing and towel wiping still count outside the marketing department. Use shade, clothing, a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses as well as sunscreen, especially around water, which reflects the sun's rays.357