Can I reapply sunscreen without washing my face?

Should I wash my face before reapplying sunscreen?

You do not need to make cleansing part of every routine top up. Reapplication is another coat of sunscreen, not a request to reopen the entire bathroom routine. The practical priorities are dry skin, enough sunscreen and complete coverage. If you have just been swimming, dry off before reapplying, including when your sunscreen is water resistant. Do not wait for your next face wash to replace sunscreen that needs reapplying.3

How to reapply without washing

1. 1Start with dry skin. After swimming, dry off before adding the next layer.
2. 2Use enough sunscreen. A nickel sized dollop is a practical guide for the face alone; your neck and other exposed areas need coverage too.
3. 3Smooth on a generous, even layer rather than vigorously rubbing it in. Cover your nose, ears, hairline and neck, and avoid getting sunscreen in your eyes or mouth.
4. 4Use an SPF lip balm for your lips. Reapply it frequently after eating or drinking.
5. 5Follow the application directions for your sunscreen's format. Never spray sunscreen directly onto your face.

Your ears and hairline need coverage too, because sunscreen does not fill in the blanks on your behalf.14

Can I reapply sunscreen over sweat?

Apply the fresh layer to dry skin rather than skin that is still wet with sweat. Perspiration makes sunscreen application less effective, and heavy sweating calls for more frequent reapplication. Choose water resistant sunscreen if you expect to sweat or swim. The label will specify either 40 or 80 minutes of water resistance, which describes protection during swimming or sweating. No sunscreen is waterproof, and water resistance does not remove the need to reapply after drying or toweling off.1256

Can I reapply sunscreen over skincare?

For a routine top up, you do not need to repeat your earlier skincare steps before adding sunscreen. Keep the fresh application generous enough to cover exposed skin. If you wear makeup, apply your first sunscreen layer underneath it. There is no specific technique here for topping up over makeup or for combining sunscreen with a particular serum, moisturiser or prescription cream.16

When should I reapply?

Reapply at least every two hours while outdoors, and more often when swimming or sweating. Reapply after toweling off rather than waiting for the two hour mark. Follow the water resistance and reapplication instructions on your bottle. A higher SPF does not buy extra time between applications. For your first application before going outdoors, allow 15 minutes before sun exposure.46

Use sunscreen that is still fit for the job

Choose broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. For extended outdoor time, SPF 50 or higher is preferable. Check the expiry date before relying on the bottle. Discard sunscreen that changes colour, smells different, separates or becomes dry and flaky, even before its expiry date. Keep the container out of direct sunlight and hot enclosed spaces such as a car. If there is no expiry date, write the purchase date on it and discard it after three years. Reapplication cannot make spoiled sunscreen useful again.2567