Do you really know how to wear sunscreen for optimal results? Behold, three key things you should know about wearing sunscreen this summer that will go a long way in making sure that you’re fully protecting your skin and preventing sunburns at all costs.
The sun is out and the days are starting to swelter… which means summer is finally here! By now, you probably know that sunscreen is a summertime essential (and TBH, an every day essential), but do you know how to find the right sunscreen that will give you the right amount of protection? And did you know you have to reapply throughout the day? Keep reading for the three things you should know when it comes to wearing your SPF this summer.
1.) Look for the right SPF numbers
One of the most important things to always keep in mind when you’re buying sunscreen is the SPF number on the bottle. SPF stands for “sun protection factor”, and it measures how much the sunscreen protects from UVB rays (the burning rays). SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays and SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays.
All skincare experts—including the best dermatologists in the world—recommend wearing an SPF of 30 or higher for daily protection. Anything less really isn’t enough. Experts will also tell you that an SPF between 30 and 50 is completely sufficient, and that there’s really no reason to reach for stratospheric numbers like 70, 90 or 100. In fact, those higher numbers often give the wearer a false sense of protection, leading to not applying enough or not reapplying, thus resulting in sunburns.
Thankfully, all Supergoop! sunscreens contain either SPF 30, SPF 40, SPF 45 or SPF 50. Some amazing daily face options include our invisible Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 and our 100% mineral Zincscreen SPF 40. For active days or swimming, go for PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50 or opt for an easy-to-use mist, like our PLAY Antioxidant Mist SPF 50.
2.) Remember your VIPs and often-missed spots…
You’re probably wondering what the heck your “VIPs” are… Let us explain: We like to call the eyes and lips “very important places” because the skin around your eyes and on your lips is actually much thinner and more delicate than the rest of the skin on your face, making them much more susceptible to sun damage. Both of these areas are where dermatologists find a lot of cases of skin cancer because people neglect to apply SPF to their eyes and lips.
We make it super easy to cover your eyes and lips. First up is our eye cream, Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40. Like the name implies, this is a completely mineral eye cream made made with non-nano zinc oxide so that won’t irritate the skin around your eyes. Plus, it also contains caffeine to help brighten the eye area.
If you’re into makeup, check out Shimmershade SPF 30. This is the first eyeshadow with SPF 30 and it comes in four shades that flatter every single skin tone, from a rosy pink to a deep golden brown. Shimmershade contains a blend of mineral and clean chemical sunscreen actives that are non-irritating.
For your lips, our best-selling lip balms are the way to go. The PLAY Lip Balm SPF 30 comes in either mint or acai and shields lips with broad spectrum SPF in a clear and non-sticky formula. For more active days, smooth on the PLAY Lip Shield SPF 30. It’s a balm that comes in a convenient three-pack.
Now that you know about your VIPs, don’t forget to apply sunscreen on other often-missed spots this summer. Some major areas that need SPF love are the tops of your feet, the back of your neck, your ears, the back of your legs and your scalp. In fact, one of our most requested products was Poof Part Powder SPF 45. It’s a lightweight, 100% mineral sunscreen for your scalp that doubles as a dry shampoo.
To reach all those other hard-to-reach-spots, PLAY Antioxidant Mist SPF 50 and the 100% Mineral Body Mist SPF 30 are amazing options that allow you to spray the sunscreen upside down, sideways and every other which way to get all those tricky spots covered.
3.) Don’t forget to reapply
So, you’ve made it a habit to apply your sunscreen every morning, rain or shine… and we’re super proud of you! But the next step in ultra healthy skin is reapplying your sunscreen throughout the day. Any type of sunscreen (both chemical or mineral) will naturally break down on your skin when it’s exposed to sunlight. The sun breaks down all sunscreen actives over time, and mineral actives are more likely to be wiped off of the skin over time since they sit on the skin’s top layer.
This is especially true if you’re sweating or swimming. While lots of Supergoop! sunscreens are sweat- and water-resistant, that doesn’t mean they repel water and sweat forever (FYI: there is no such thing as a water-proof or sweat-proof sunscreen). Bottom line: When you sweat at all (and we all naturally perspire even when we don’t think we are BTW) or expose your skin to water, your sunscreen will break down.
To effortlessly reapply, look no further than Defense Refresh (Re)Setting Mist SPF 40 and Invincible Setting Powder SPF 45. If you have normal skin (or any type of skin, really) and you prefer sprays to set your makeup, then Defense Refresh is the way to go. It dries quickly, has SPF 40 and smells amazing, thanks to rosemary and peppermint oils.
If you have oily skin that needs to be mattified throughout the day, then our 100% Mineral Setting Powder is your pick. It contains SPF 45, 100% mineral actives that are great for sensitive skin and it’s available in four shades, including transparent.
+Have more questions on how to wear sunscreen for the best results? Leave them below and we’ll answer!
