Try to limit your sun exposure, especially when the sun’s rays are at their most intense between 10am and 4pm . For example, if you’re going for a walk, plan it for the early morning or late afternoon. If you’re planning to spend the whole day outside, schedule a break around midday.

When you can’t help being out during peak hours, it’s important to be proactive about sun protection. You should also give your skin a break from time to time during peak UV hours by spending some time in the shade . These breaks are the perfect opportunity to reapply sunscreen, too.

Always wear sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 30 and apply to your face, neck, and any areas of skin that aren’t covered by clothing. If you’re not spending time in direct sunlight, a daily moisturizer with SPF could be sufficient but a little extra coverage never hurts.

Remember, if you’re smearing on sunscreen right before you leave the house, you could be leaving your skin vulnerable to sun damage. It’s best to apply sunscreen about 15-20 minutes before you go outside, giving the product sufficient time to absorb into your skin.

Many people make the mistake of not wearing enough sunscreen to fully protect themselves. You should be using about 1 ounce—think of the size of a shot glass—to cover your whole body. You’ll need less if you’re just covering your face or upper body, of course. Aim for about 1 teaspoon of sunscreen per arm or leg , and about the same for the front or back of your torso.

It’s easy to forget spots when applying sunscreen, so take a moment to check yourself in the mirror to assess what parts of your body aren’t covered by clothing. The most frequently missed areas are the ears, neck, backs of the hands, knees, and feet. If you don’t have much hair, cover your head with a hat or apply some sunscreen up there, too.

There are many ways to go about spreading sunscreen on your skin but some are more effective than others. If you want to make sure you’re getting even coverage , try the dotting method. Use the bottle or tube to apply dots of sunscreen along the area you’re covering then spread it evenly with your hands.

The skin on your lips is vulnerable to sun damage, so wear lip balm with at least SPF 30 to protect them. Not only can sun exposure cause dryness, cracking, and sunburn but it can put your lips at risk for premature aging and skin cancer.

Just like sunscreen, SPF lip balm needs to be reapplied regularly for maximum protection—especially if you’re swimming or sweating. Plan to reapply your SPF lip balm about every two hours (as often as you reapply sunscreen).

On top of wearing sunscreen, cover unprotected skin with long sleeves and pants. You can further protect your face and neck with a neck gaiter or wide-brimmed hat, and don’t forget polarized sunglasses for eye protection.

Be particularly careful to cover unprotected skin if you’re spending time around reflective surfaces like water, sand, and snow . Even if you’re wearing sunscreen, you can still get sun damage from UV rays bouncing off such surfaces. Consider a higher SPF rating or wear protective clothing if you’re going to the beach, skiing, or hanging out by the pool.

A thorough initial application is crucial but regular reapplication is also essential if you want to prevent sun damage. At minimum, you should be reapplying sunscreen every two hours . You might need to reapply sooner if you’re getting your skin wet, as in swimming or sweating a lot. Towel yourself off first then apply another coat.

Keep in mind that spray sunscreen may need to be reapplied more often than creams and lotions because it tends to wash off more easily. If you’re spending time in the water or sweating, consider respraying every 60-90 minutes.

When summertime rolls around, you may find yourself digging through your medicine cabinet for last year’s bottle of sunscreen. Before you pop that bottle, ask yourself this question: does sunscreen expire ? Yes, it does. But it lasts longer than you might think— up to three years, as long as it’s stored properly.

Just because sunscreen can remain effective for up to three years doesn’t guarantee that it will. Here are some signs that indicate last year’s sunscreen might not be effective anymore:

• You can’t remember when you bought it and there’s no “best by” date on the package.

• The product’s color has changed , potentially indicating that it wasn’t stored properly.

• It has become watery or lumpy, indicating the ingredients have separated or the product is starting to break down.

• The product has an unpleasant smell , suggesting it may have been exposed to too much heat or moisture.

• You sunburn faster than you think you should be when wearing the product.

Even if your sunscreen isn’t the problem, your application technique could be. If you’re still getting sunburned or are worried you might not be getting as much out of your sunscreen as you could be, you’ll want to keep reading. 

By now you should have a more thorough understanding of how to apply sunscreen properly and what other steps you can take to minimize sun damage. The final piece of the puzzle involves choosing the right sunscreen for the job.

At Exclusive Beauty Club, we have a wide range of products suitable for all skin types . Shop hydrating formulas for dry skin , non-comedogenic sunscreen for acne-prone skin , or lightweight products for oily skin . It’s easy to narrow the options according to your primary skin concern or see what other people are buying with our bestsellers section.

Don’t forget to sign up for  Exclusive Beauty Rewards  to start earning points on purchases and  check out our blog  for more summer skincare tips.

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