Should you put sunscreen on every day?

Why bother when it is not sunny?

Ultraviolet radiation, usually shortened to UV, can damage skin cells. Too much exposure causes most skin cancers, and sunlight also accelerates wrinkles and other signs of aging. Water, sand, cement and snow reflect UV rays, so beach days are not the only days that deserve protection. Daily sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer and slows skin aging; think prevention, not a treatment that erases existing wrinkles.123

What should you look for on the label?

Choose broad spectrum protection, SPF 30 or higher, and water resistance. Broad spectrum means protection against both UVA and UVB rays. SPF describes UVB protection, so the number alone is not the whole checklist. In the UK, look for at least four stars for UVA protection; a UVA symbol inside a circle indicates that the sunscreen meets the EU standard. For prolonged sun exposure, consider SPF 50.145

A facial moisturizer with broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher can serve as your daily sunscreen, so the bathroom shelf does not need a separate department for each job. Apply it to every area of skin not covered by clothing, not just your face.3

How to apply sunscreen each day

1. 1Apply sunscreen before going outdoors. If you expect to stay in the sun long enough to risk burning, apply it 30 minutes before leaving and again just before going out.
2. 2Cover all exposed skin, including your face, neck, ears and hands. Protect an exposed scalp too, particularly if your hair is thinning; a hat with a brim all around adds protection.
3. 3Use enough for a generous, even layer. For the face, a dollop about the size of a nickel is a useful guide. For an adult's entire body, aim for around 6 to 8 teaspoons. Applying sunscreen too thinly reduces protection.
4. 4Reapply every two hours while outdoors, and straight after swimming, sweating or towel drying. Reapply if the sunscreen has rubbed off, even when the bottle says water resistant.

Does sunscreen replace shade or clothing?

No. Combine sunscreen with shade, protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses that block UVA and UVB. Keep those protections in place even in the shade. Check your local UV index: a reading of 3 or higher is a cue to protect your skin from excessive exposure. Do not use sunscreen as a reason to stay in the sun longer. A face mask does not replace sunscreen either, especially when you pull it down and expose skin that was covered.245

Who needs extra care?

People of every skin tone can get skin cancer. Take extra care if you burn easily, have many moles, have a family history of skin cancer or spend substantial time outdoors. Keep babies under six months out of direct sunlight and use shade and protective clothing rather than making sunscreen their main protection.24

Small or sample sizes let you try different formulas before committing to a full bottle, which is a more useful audition than the packaging. For sensitive skin, test a small amount on your inner forearm twice daily for 4 to 5 days before applying it to your face. Stop using a sunscreen that stings or burns.36

Check the expiry date before use. Sunscreen without an expiry date lasts no more than three years, and heat can shorten its shelf life. See a dermatologist for a skin spot that changes, itches, bleeds or looks different from the others.12