sunscreen refers to a family of cosmaceuticals that typically contain active ingredients with one or more UV absorbers, antioxidants, or both. Sunscreen protects the skin from sunburn and other harmful effects of solar radiation by reducing (or blocking) the amount of UV radiation that penetrates through the skin to cause damage.

How to use sunscreen

Using sunscreen is much simpler than you might think. It’s better to start with a light layer of sunscreen and make your way up to heavier coverage as needed. Also, remember that your skin will become more sensitive to sun exposure as you age. That’s not just true of wrinkles, but also sunburns.

What do I need?

-Sunscreen (SPF30 or higher) protection for all areas that are exposed to the sun during the day. Examples: face, neck, hands, etc.

-Sunhat or wide-brimmed hat for shade for face, neck, and arms as needed.

-Water-resistant sunscreen if you are going to be exposed to water.

How to apply sunscreen?

1) Make sure your face is clean and dry before applying sunscreen. If you will be wearing glasses while outdoors, wear the glasses until the sunscreen dries. Use sunscreen sparingly and always make sure to rub it in completely.

2) Apply the sunscreen in your chosen areas (face, neck, hands, feet, legs) with broad and even strokes (never cover your face with a thick layer of sunscreen because it will be difficult to wash off). If you are using a lot of sunblocks use a wide brush or sponge to make sure you get coverage in all areas. Don’t worry about how much you apply right now. You’ll know what feels comfortable as soon as it dries.

Each area of your body will be different and you should adjust the amount of sunscreen you use to match your skin’s needs. For example, if you have dry skin, make sure you use more sunscreen than if you have oily skin.

3) Always apply after makeup. Otherwise, moisturizers or oil-based products will end up sitting on top of the sunscreen and not absorbing into the skin as they should be doing.

To be protected from the sun, use sunscreen regularly. Use a water-resistant sunscreen if you are going to be in the water for any length of time. Sunscreen is best applied 30 minutes before going out into the sun or it may need to be reapplied several times during the day. Using a waterproof sunscreen is handy if you will be swimming or in water for extended periods.