How often should you wear sunscreen?

Does that mean every day, all year?

Sun protection is not just for holidays: walking, gardening and outdoor sports all expose your skin to ultraviolet radiation, or UV, which makes "holiday essential" a rather part time job description. Sunscreen helps prevent sunburn, skin cancer and premature skin aging. Making application part of your morning routine helps turn protection into a habit rather than a beach day decision.34

The UV index measures the strength of ultraviolet radiation, which gives the forecast something to do besides audition for a postcard. Daily sunscreen is recommended when the forecast UV index reaches 3 or higher. Cloud cover and cold weather do not rule out UV exposure, so check the UV forecast rather than judging by how warm the day feels.45

How to apply and reapply sunscreen

1. 1Choose SPF 30 or higher with broad spectrum protection, meaning protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Choose water resistance too.
2. 2Apply to dry skin about 15 minutes before going outdoors. For a prolonged outing with a risk of burning, NHS advice is to apply 30 minutes before leaving and again just before going out.
3. 3Use enough. Most adults need about 1 ounce to cover exposed skin, depending on body size. For the face, use at least 1 teaspoon and rub it in thoroughly.
4. 4Cover every exposed area, including ears, neck, hands and tops of feet. Protect an exposed scalp with sunscreen or a hat, and use SPF 30 or higher lip balm.
5. 5Reapply generously every two hours outdoors. Apply sooner after swimming, sweating, towel drying or rubbing sunscreen off; do not wait for the two hour mark.

Does higher SPF last longer?

No. Higher SPF gives greater sunburn protection, not extra time between applications. Keep the same reapplication schedule with SPF 50 as with SPF 30, including products marketed for extended wear. SPF measures protection against a dose of UV radiation, not a number of hours you can safely stay outside.167

Water resistant does not mean waterproof. In the US, water resistance labels specify 40 or 80 minutes of effectiveness while swimming or sweating. Follow the bottle's directions, and reapply after leaving the water and towel drying.26

What about indoors or SPF makeup?

The two hour schedule applies while outdoors; it is not a blanket instruction to reapply throughout an entirely indoor day. UVA can pass through window glass, so consider sun protection if you spend time in direct sunlight by a window or on long drives. Moisturizers and cosmetics with SPF still need reapplication approximately every two hours outdoors.13

Which sunscreen will you use regularly?

Creams, gels and sticks are all sunscreen formats, so the packaging has several ways to make the same job look complicated, as though sun protection needed a format war. Creams suit dry skin and facial application; gels suit oily skin and hairy areas. For sensitive skin, dermatologists recommend mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or both.1

Who needs a different approach?

Advice differs for naturally black or dark brown skin in the UK: routine protection is rarely necessary unless sun sensitivity or increased skin cancer risk changes the situation. Stronger sun abroad can require the standard precautions. Organ transplant recipients should use SPF 50 with UVA and UVB protection all year. Keep babies under six months out of direct sunlight and ask a doctor before using sunscreen on them.236

Use shade, clothing, a hat and sunglasses alongside sunscreen. If you burn, stay out of the sun until redness has gone. Seek medical help if you feel unwell or develop badly swollen or blistered skin.27