How to use sunscreen correctly? Dermatologist gives 6 tips

Using sunscreen daily is one of the recommendations of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD) for skin care. The habit is essential to prevent premature skin aging, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and blemishes, and prevent skin cancer. However, to ensure the benefits of sun protection, you need to know how to apply the filter correctly.

The first crucial point for correctly applying sunscreen is choosing the product with the ideal sun protection factor (SPF) for your skin. SBD recommends the use of filters with an SPF of at least 30. “Generally, people with lighter skin use a higher SPF, while people with darker skin use a lower one. This is important regardless of the time of year”, says Mariana Penha, member of SBD and the Brazilian Society of Dermatological Surgery.

Then, with the help of the specialist, the CNN lists the main tips for applying sunscreen properly and ensuring protection against ultraviolet rays on a daily basis. Check it out:

1. Keep using sunscreen in winter and cloudy days

On cold and cloudy days, the feeling we have is that the Sun doesn’t burn, but this is a common misconception. According to Penha, the incidence of ultraviolet radiation remains the same in winter and on cloudy days, as the sun’s rays are able to pass through the clouds. Therefore, skin protection care must be maintained in these situations.

“We need to use sunscreen every day of the year, no matter the temperature. It doesn’t matter if it’s raining or cloudy. Ultraviolet radiation will exist both in winter and summer,” he says.

2. Pay attention to the amount used

To ensure good sun protection, it is necessary to apply the appropriate amount of sunscreen to the exposed region. On the face, for example, the ideal is to apply the amount equivalent to a teaspoon of sunscreen. “This ‘rule’ is not that practical, so a tip is to use the three-finger ‘rule’: put a little protector on the index, middle and ring fingers. This is enough for the entire face”, says Penha.

For people who use tinted sunscreen, the dermatologist’s tip is to use a proportion of one finger with neutral sunscreen and two fingers with tinted sunscreen.

As for the body, SBD recommends applying an amount of three tablespoons, evenly, so as not to leave any area unprotected.

3. Protect all areas not covered by clothing

When a person goes to the beach or spends the day at the pool, it is common (and important) to apply sunscreen all over the body. However, in everyday life, this care must remain in the entire area exposed to the sun. “Clothing offers mechanical protection. So, if you are wearing a long-sleeved t-shirt and pants, you can apply the protector just to your face and hands, for example”, advises Penha.

However, on hot days, when wearing shorter clothes, such as bermudas, shorts, skirts or dresses, it is essential to protect other areas of the body that will be exposed, according to the dermatologist.

4. Reapply sunscreen every two to three hours

The SBD recommendation is to reapply sunscreen every two hours throughout the day, if there is a lot of sweating or prolonged sun exposure. In everyday life, for those who work in offices or spend the day in closed spaces, dermatologist Penha’s advice is to apply it at least twice: once in the morning, before leaving home, and once at lunchtime. , especially if you are eating out.

“It is recommended to apply every two or three hours, but this ideal is very difficult to follow”, he comments. “I think that, in the real world, people can more easily adhere to applying sunscreen in the morning and afternoon. Reapplying the product at least twice a day is enough”, he adds.

In the case of people who have skin diseases, such as melasma, for example, it is essential to follow the recommendation to reapply sunscreen at least every two or three hours. “People who have blemishes on their skin or a disease triggered by the sun should follow the recommendation more closely”, emphasizes Penha.

5. Apply the protector 15 minutes in advance, if it is a chemical protector

There are two types of sunscreen: physical and chemical. The first type is made from titanium dioxide and zinc oxide and is deposited on the most superficial layer of the skin, reflecting incident radiation. “This type of protector was a mechanical barrier, so solar radiation hits and returns. In this case, the protector can be applied immediately before sun exposure”, he explains.

Chemical protectors, on the other hand, work as a kind of “sponge” that absorbs ultraviolet rays and transforms them into heat. “In this type, the radiation is absorbed and transformed so as not to damage the skin”, explains Penha. In this case, the ideal is to apply sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure.

6. In your skin care routine, apply the protector last

To care for your skin, it is essential to follow a basic routine that includes cleansing, hydration and sun protection. “In your skincare routine, this is always the correct order: first wash your face, then moisturize it and, finally, apply sunscreen, always with products suitable for your skin type”, says Penha.

According to the SBD, for oily to combination skin, the ideal is to use soaps based on astringent ingredients, which help remove impurities and unclog pores. In the case of dry and normal skin, it is worth using liquid soaps with a neutral pH.

Hydration should be maintained even by people with oily skin, to help maintain the skin’s radiance, in addition to preventing dryness, premature aging, irritation and infections, according to SBD. In addition to applying moisturizing creams, some measures such as maintaining a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, avoiding excessive skin exfoliation and excessive use of soaps, loofahs, and very hot and prolonged baths, especially in winter.

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