Wearing sunscreen while spending time outdoors in the summer should be a no brainer. Protecting your skin from the sun is important, especially for children, people at risk for sun cancer, or those with delicate skin such as areas with fresh ink from Certified Tattoo Studios.
The specifics of wearing sunscreen can be confusing – what level of SPF is best for daily use? Should you apply sunscreen even when it’s cloudy? How often do you need to reapply?
Find the answers to these questions and more below.
Sunscreen Should Be Worn At All Times, Even While Indoors
Just because it isn’t particularly sunny outside doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have SPF on your face – and just because you aren’t going outside for an extended period of time doesn’t mean you should forgo wearing sunscreen either. UV levels can penetrate and pose a risk for your skin even when they aren’t high – aka when it’s cloudy – or when you aren’t exposed for a long time. Dermatologists warn that sun exposure can occur while running daily errands and only being exposed to the sun for a short period of time, and can occur through windows, making it important to use SPF everyday.
SPF 30 is Best for Daily Use
Dermatologists recommend sunscreen products with an SPF level of 30 for daily use, as this is proven to be a sufficient amount of protection from the threats posed by moderate UV levels and amounts of exposure. SPF 30 can be found in many daily moisturizers or other cosmetics that are intended for daily use, making it relatively easy to sneak an appropriate level of sun protection into your daily beauty routine. Keep in mind that the more you are exposed to the sun, the higher the level of SPF that should be worn. For a long day spent beside the pool or at the beach, SPF 30 might not cut it.
Reapply Every 2 Hours
While the length of time between applications depends on what activities are occurring in the sun and whether or not your skin is getting wet, a general rule of thumb for reapplying sunscreen is that it should be done every two hours. If you are swimming or sweating excessively, reapplication should occur more frequently, preferably after every dip in the water. While this might feel excessive at first, consider it a low price to pay for the thorough protection of your skin from painful sunburns or complications like sun cancer in the future.
