We have all accepted that sun protection is pretty important, but are we protecting our skin properly? Well, research shows that many of us are not.

Here are my tips on how to wear sunscreen properly for maximum protection:

1/ In which order should I apply my sunscreen?

Before or after my moisturiser? Before or after my make-up?

Sunscreen should be applied after moisturiser and other skin treatments but before make-up. If you don't wear any make-up, sunscreen should be the last thing you put on your skin.

 

2/Do I need sunscreen if it’s on my make-up?

Make-up with SPF is not enough on its own. It will not provide proper UV protection. It is advisable to apply sunscreen under make-up every morning because it must adhere to the skin to provide the best possible protection.

Whatever you do, do not mix sunscreen with your moisturiser or foundation because that could ruin the effectiveness of the sunscreen's formulation.

3/ Wait for your sunscreen to work.

If you are using chemical sunscreen, it is best to wait 20-30 minutes after applying before going outside so the UV filters have time to soak into your skin and form a protective layer. You don't have to wait for all physical sunscreens.

Sunscreens with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide actives are effective as soon as they are applied. However, since there are sunscreens with both chemical and physical UV filters, it's generally a good idea to apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before any sun exposure. 

 

4/Use sunscreen liberally: 

Dermatologists recommend applying 1/4 teaspoon for your whole face, and 5ml (approximately 1 teaspoon full) for each arm, leg, body front, body back and face (including neck and ears). That equates to a total of 35ml (approximately 7 teaspoons full) for a full-body application. This may seem like a lot of sunscreens, but if you don't apply the proper amount, you won't have a thick enough layer of sunscreen on your skin to form a shield for adequate protection.

 

5/Re-apply throughout the day. 

Re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours. This is especially important if you are going to be outdoors for a long time, sweat a lot, exercise vigorously, or go swimming.

In general, a sunscreen applied at 8 am will not be as effective at the end of the day without re-application. However, if you are just indoors (i.e. at school, work, or home) and away from direct window light, it's probably not that important to re-apply your sunscreen.

6 / Water-resistant SPF means it won’t wash off in the pool. 

There is no such thing as waterproof sunscreen. You need to look for a very water-resistant SPF, which will last up to a certain amount of time in the water. Again the key is to re-apply every couple of hours.

 

7 / It’s okay to use last year’s sunscreen?

 No, if it has expired, throw it away as this will not give you effective protection. Once the chemicals in the sunscreen start to break down, so does the effectiveness of the sunscreen.

It is recommended that all skincare products should be used up within 12 months after opening. Remember, sunscreen should be applied all year round and not just during your summer holiday.

To keep your skin young and healthy, make sure you are doing all of these things!