You meticulously applied a solid coat of SPF 50 to your face and body this morning and are now ready to take on the day, sunburn-worry free. Right? Not necessarily. This guide breaks down some helpful advice on how often you should reapply sunscreen. Hint: it varies!
As a general rule, your sunscreen will start to lose its effectiveness after a 80 minute period. So, if you’re spending the day outside, regardless of whether you’re running a marathon or just napping by the pool, you’re going to want to reapply on a consistent two-hour cadence. On top of this, frequent in-and-out-of-water activity requires more reapplication, even if your sunscreen is labeled as water resistant.
Many sunburns occur when a user has a false sense of security. Maybe you sprayed yourself once with SPF 30 in the morning, but then went about your day as if you were encased in a magic shield. You’re not. Several factors make reapplying sunscreen critical to keeping your skin protected:
Don’t overestimate the power of your sunscreen. Chances are, you didn’t apply enough of it. For the average-size human, a shot glass of sunscreen (1.5 ounces) applied to the face and body before each outing should be enough coverage for a two-hour period. In addition, it’s a good idea to add an extra layer to the more sensitive exposed areas, like your nose, lips, neck and ears.
Read more: Does Sunscreen Expire?
Sunscreen takes time to fully dry. After reapplying, give yourself at least 10 to 15 minutes before venturing back out into the open sky.
Believe it or not, you’re still subject to the damaging effects of the sun even when you’re indoors. While sunburn-inducing UVB rays don’t penetrate windows, certain UVA rays do, resulting in skin damage and accelerated ageing over time. Because of this, the answer is yes: you should reapply broad spectrum sunscreen while indoors, especially if you’re exposed to sunlight through a window without UV-protective film.
Yes, one application of sunscreen isn’t going to last you all day. In fact, the false belief you’re fully covered without reapplying is when the most punishing sunburns occur.
Regardless of SPF level, sunscreens lose their protective superpowers over time. Make sure you’re reapplying SPF 50 every 80 minutes — more frequently if you’re going in and out of the water.
If you’re not reapplying sunscreen intermittently, you’re decreasing the chances of having proper sun protection throughout the day. The clock starts at around 80 minutes after your first application.
Does sunscreen block blue light? Some do, some don't, it all comes down to what's in the bottle. If you're wondering, can sunscreen block blue light? The answer is yes, but only certain formulas offer meaningful protection. Blue light comes from the sun and is emitted from every screen you look at, and it's been linked to dark spots and early signs of aging. The catch is that a lot of everyday sunscreens aren't built to block it. Here's which formulas actually help, and how to give your skin better backup against blue light.
If you've ever wondered, can you get sunburned under water, the answer is also yes because UV rays continue traveling below the surface. Your dip might feel like a refreshing break from the sun, but UV rays don’t stop at the surface. They travel right into the water with you, which means your skin could still get burned when surfing, swimming, or splashing around. Read on for why swimming can actually increase your burn risk, and how to stay protected while still making the most of your beach days. Because one thing about us, we’re staying in the water.
Do you need to wear sunscreen indoors? It sounds like overkill until you realize how much sun gets inside. If you're wondering, "should I wear sunscreen indoors?" the answer is yes, especially if you spend time near windows or in bright indoor spaces. Between the UVA rays slipping through your windows and the blue light off your screens, indoors isn't the safe space for your skin you might think it is. Here's when indoor SPF comes in clutch, what it protects against, and how to fit it into your routine.
Does SPF 30 vs. SPF 50 feel like choosing between green or red sauce on your burrito? We get it and we’ve got you. Here's what changes between the two and when to bump up.
Is 70 the new 50? When it comes to SPF, we love them both. From daily coverage in peak summer to all-out protection if your surf trip turns tropical (lucky you),if you’re comparing SPF 50 vs 70, or wondering does SPF 70 work better than 50, the answer comes down to how intense your sun exposure is.
We’re going for bronzed, not burned, and choosing between SPF 15 vs. SPF 30 can be the difference between the two. Here's what to know before you, ahem, reach for the bottle.
