When and how to apply sunscreen for optimal protection?

17/04/2025
2-FEMMES-QUI-COURENT-VERS-LA-MER
Astuces & routines beauté

Sun exposure is beneficial for our well-being, but effective sun protection is essential for maintaining skin health. Proper application of sunscreen helps prevent sunburn, slows skin aging, and reduces the risk of skin cancer. In this article, we explain how, when, and why to apply your sunscreen correctly.

Why should you apply your sunscreen correctly?

The sun and its impact on the skin

The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) rays which, although invisible, have a direct effect on the skin . While they are essential for the synthesis of vitamin D, they can also be harmful if exposed excessively or without proper protection .

  • UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn. In the long term, they can damage cell DNA and increase the risk of skin cancer.
  • UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and accelerate skin aging . They are also involved in the appearance of pigment spots and cellular alterations .

Learn more about the effects of the sun on the skin in our dedicated article.

Why is proper sunscreen application essential?

Why is proper sunscreen application essential?

Incorrect or insufficient application significantly reduces the effectiveness of sunscreen. The consequences for your skin can be diverse:

  • Burns and sunburns
  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Premature aging
  • Increased risk of skin cancer

Adopting the correct application techniques is therefore essential to protect the skin long-term and limit the harmful effects of the sun.

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When should you apply your sunscreen?

  • Before the exposure

    Unlike mineral sunscreens, which act immediately, organic filters must be absorbed by the surface layers of the skin before providing optimal protection. This is why it is essential to apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before exposure.

    Additionally, taking the time to apply your sunscreen at home helps prevent you from forgetting certain areas like your ears, neck, or eyelids. Indeed, at the beach or during outdoor activities, we tend to apply our sunscreen more quickly and neglect certain parts of our body, which further reduces the effectiveness of the protection.

  • During the exposure

    Choosing the right time of day to sunbathe is crucial. It is therefore recommended to limit, or even completely avoid, sun exposure during the most intense hours, between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., particularly during the summer.

    Finally, sun protection is still necessary even on cloudy days. Even though we can't see the sun, up to 80% of UV rays penetrate clouds!

    It is imperative to apply sunscreen several times throughout the day , as a single application is not enough to provide effective protection. It is recommended to reapply sunscreen every two hours, and after swimming, exercising, or toweling off, even if the product is water-resistant.

  • Outdoor environment: adapt your sun routine

    Not all exposures present the same risks. UV intensity varies depending on location and activity , and certain environments amplify their impact. Water, sand, and snow reflect the sun's rays, increasing the risk of sunburn, while sweat and wind can reduce sun protection.
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Solar routine for aquatic activities (swimming, water sports)

Water does not protect against UV rays, quite the opposite: it reflects between 10 and 30% of the sun's rays , increasing their intensity on the skin. In addition, immersion in water reduces sun protection, which means more frequent reapplication. Fortunately, a suitable routine will allow you to be effectively protected:

  • Before activity: Apply a water-resistant sunscreen 30 minutes before entering the water.
  • During the activity: promote physical protection (cap, hat, anti-UV clothing) and reapply your sunscreen regularly according to the product instructions, and systematically after each swim or drying with a towel.
  • After activity: Reapply your sunscreen to dry skin, paying particular attention to areas that are often forgotten (shoulders, back of knees, feet, ears).

Solar routine for outdoor activities (hiking, cycling, skiing, golf, etc.)

Prolonged outdoor activities continuously expose the skin to UV rays, often without the opportunity to immediately reapply sunscreen. Wind, perspiration, and altitude can also increase skin sensitivity. Here again, adapt your sun care routine to effectively protect your skin:

  • Before exposure: Apply a very high protection SPF 50+, sweat-resistant sunscreen , generously covering all exposed areas.
  • During activity: promote physical protection (cap, hat, clothing) and reapply every two hours, paying particular attention to the most exposed areas (face, ears, neck, arms).
  • After exercise: Cleanse your skin to remove perspiration and reapply a moisturizer with SPF if exposure continues.
    After exercise: If you have been sweating heavily and continue to be exposed to the sun, gently pat off excess sweat before reapplying your sunscreen. If you have stopped being exposed, cleanse your skin thoroughly to remove any sunscreen residue, then moisturize with an after-sun lotion to restore the skin barrier.

Prevent to enjoy with complete peace of mind: good reflexes when faced with the sun

Even with optimal sun protection, limiting exposure remains the best prevention against the harmful effects of UV rays . Here are some essential steps to protect your skin and that of your family:

  • Favor shade as much as possible, under a tree, a parasol or indoors, especially during peak sunshine.
  • Avoid direct exposure between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are most aggressive.
  • Wear protective clothing : long, loose-fitting clothes, ideally made of UV-resistant fabric, a wide-brimmed hat and CE category 3 or 4 sunglasses with wrap-around frames to protect the eyes and the area around the eyelids.
  • Protect young children from direct sun exposure, as their skin is particularly fragile when exposed to UV rays. Children under 3 years old should not be exposed to direct sunlight.

As you will have understood, good sun protection requires above all reasonable exposure and simple actions to limit the impact of the sun on the skin.

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How to apply sunscreen? Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The art and method of applying sunscreen is not to be taken lightly! TOPICREM offers a compilation of the most common mistakes and how to correct them, for effective application and optimal protection of your skin.

  • Forgetting certain areas of the body and face

    Areas such as the ears, neck, eyelids, and lips are often overlooked when applying sunscreen. These areas are particularly sensitive and therefore require proper protection as they are more susceptible to the effects of poor sun protection.

  • Applying sunscreen too late

    Applying sunscreen after the start of exposure exposes you to more frequent sunburn, especially in the case of a cream with organic filters. Organic sunscreens need time to be absorbed and fully effective, hence the importance of applying it 15 to 30 minutes before exposure.

  • Forget about reapplying

    Even waterproof sunscreen loses its effectiveness over time. SPF 30 or SPF 50+ protection lasts approximately two hours under normal sun exposure conditions. It's therefore essential to reapply your sunscreen at least every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating.

  • Exposure to the hottest hours

    Even with proper sun protection, prolonged sun exposure can cause skin damage. It is recommended to limit your time spent in the sun and seek shade whenever possible.

    It is also not recommended to expose yourself to the sun between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., when the risks are greatest.

Sunscreen Application Techniques

How much sunscreen should I use?

The effectiveness of the protection depends on the amount applied. For optimal coverage, it is recommended to use:

  • Torso and back: eight fingers of sunscreen,
  • Each arm: four fingers of sunscreen,
  • Each hand: a finger of sunscreen,
  • Each leg: six fingers of sunscreen,
  • Each foot: two fingers of sunscreen,
  • Face: two phalanges of sunscreen.

The right steps for even application

Even distribution of sunscreen is essential to ensure optimal UV protection. Uneven or insufficient application can leave vulnerable areas, increasing the risk of sunburn and skin damage.

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On the face:

  • Apply the cream from the center outwards , smoothing gently to distribute it well, without forgetting the jawline and temples.
  • Focus on the most exposed areas , such as the nose, cheekbones and forehead, which receive direct sunlight.
  • Don't forget the often neglected areas:

- Eyelids and eye contour
- Ears (upper part and behind)

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On the body:

  • Apply a sufficient amount of cream and spread it in circular motions, to cover the entire skin evenly.
  • Don't forget the often neglected areas:

- Neck and nape of the neck
- Lips
- Top of the feet and toes
- Hands, particularly exposed and subject to premature aging
- Back of the knees

Children and sensitive skin: special attention

Sensitive skin and children's skin are particularly vulnerable to UV rays because their skin barrier is more fragile. Proper sun protection is therefore essential to avoid irritation, sunburn and long-term damage.

Choosing suitable protection

  • Choose a high-tolerance formula : alcohol-free, suitable for sensitive skin and enriched with soothing active ingredients to limit skin reactions.
  • Choose organic filters , which are better tolerated by reactive skin and do not leave white marks, rather than certain chemical and mineral filters.
  • Select sunscreen with SPF 50+ and broad spectrum protection (UVA + UVB) to ensure optimal defense.

Limiting sun exposure for young people

  • Avoid direct exposure of children under 3 years old.
  • Choose anti-UV clothing, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses with enhanced filtration.
  • Apply sunscreen generously to all exposed areas and reapply every two hours, or after swimming.
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