When should you apply sunscreen?

No matter the weather conditions (summer, winter, cloudy weather, etc...) or your location (by the water, mountains, near the equator, in cold areas, etc...), always remember to use a sunscreen product every day. Indeed, it should be an integral part of your morning skincare routine. Apply it after your day cream as a finishing touch or under makeup.

However, sunscreen alone is not sufficient for optimal protection if you wear makeup. Indeed, if you layer other products, you reduce the effectiveness of the sunblock.

That's why we recommend, in addition to sunscreen, using either a foundation/powder with SPF or a facial mist containing sun protection. Similarly, sunscreen should never replace cautionary measures:

• Avoid prolonged exposure as much as possible, especially between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. If this is the case, protect yourself to the fullest extent;

• Wear protective clothing (t-shirt, cap, etc...);

• Consider protecting your eyes from the sun by wearing sunglasses with a UV filter.

Furthermore, it is recommended to wait 20 minutes before any sun exposure. For it to work, the sunscreen needs to form a uniform film on the skin, and the 20 minutes represent the time necessary for its formation. More specifically, when you apply a sunscreen, the water, present in the product and necessary for its formulation, must evaporate and the other ingredients must penetrate the skin so that a film composed of UV filters remains to protect you from the sun. However, many people make the mistake of only applying it once they arrive at their destination (beach, mountain, etc...), by which time the skin has already suffered the harmful effects of the sun during the journey. Therefore, using a skincare product early enough allows for deep skin protection and prevents sunburn.

In addition to the areas directly exposed to the sun, it is also recommended to pay attention to certain parts of the body, including the ears, feet, eye contour, neck, and even the lips. For instance, there are sun protection sticks available that allow for the protection and care of all sensitive areas, such as the lips and eye contour.

In theory, the more generously a sunscreen is applied in a thick layer, the longer its barrier effect against UV rays lasts. However, it should be assumed that no one applies enough sunscreen. According to estimates, it has been shown that applying half as much cream as recommended only assures us half the protection indicated on the label. Similarly, just because the protection factor of your cream is high does not mean its protection will last longer. In addition, between sweating, swimming, and repeated rubbing on the skin, the protective layer gradually wears off. All these circumstances clearly demonstrate the need to increase the frequency of sunscreen application.

Therefore, it is strongly recommended to reapply as regularly as possible, at least every 2 hours or even more frequently, in order to optimize protection and prevent sunburn, regardless of the intensity of sunlight, whether in the city or at the beach, in summer or winter, even under cloudy skies or in the shade. Moreover, the lower your skin type, the higher the protection factor of your cream should be and the more frequently it should be applied regardless of the exposure time. Indeed, these skin types are very sensitive to UV rays and can easily get sunburned, even during short-term exposure.

• BUABBAS H. & al. Photoprotection: clothing and glass. Dermatologic Clinics (2014).

• WULF H. C. & others. Application of Sunscreen - Theory and Reality. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, and Photomedicine (2014).

• LIM H. W. & others. Sunscreens: A Recent Update. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology (2017).