Sunscreens form an essential part of any skin care regimen. Not only do they protect against the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun, but they also prevent the skin from aging prematurely. Regular and consistent use of sunscreens decreases the risk of developing skin cancer in the future as well.

In the increasingly conscious beauty world, the importance of incorporating sunscreen is well documented. However, even if women make it a point to use sunscreens religiously, not all of them know how to apply them efficiently. Ineffective application have ineffective results.

Here are some tips for using your sunscreen products and making sure they serve you well.

When to Apply Sunscreens
To extract the maximum or even optimal benefits from your sunscreen, you need to know when exactly to apply it. Just dabbing it on your face and walking out in the sun right away is as good as not doing anything at all. There is a specific time and method of to apply sunscreens.

• Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before you venture out in the sun. This gives it enough time to be absorbed by the skin. When it is well absorbed, it is less likely to wash off from sweat and face washing.
• Even if you apply sunscreen at the start of the day, reapply it after strenuous physical activities like exercises and swimming. As you perspire or stay in the water, sunscreen is washed off and needs to be applied again in order to continue to protect the skin. For frequent reapplication, it is best to use a powdered sunscreen like iS Clinical SPF 20 Powder Sunscreen. These powder sunscreens are easy to apply and make the process much easier.
• Even if you do not perform any exhausting activities through the day, make sure you reapply it at least twice. This becomes especially important if you work outdoors or venture out in the peak sunlight hours (10 to 4 PM).
• Use sunscreen in all weather. Don’t avoid sunscreen use in winter. This is because even if the sunlight is not as harsh as in summer, it is still potent with harmful UVA and UVB radiations which your skin is vulnerable to.


How to Apply Sunscreens

Here are a few easy tips:

• Shake the sunscreen container well before use. This mixes all the particles of the lotion that might have settled in the bottom of the bottle. Of course, this won’t be necessary in sunscreen creams. But in case of sunscreen sprays, this process is very essential.
• Don’t apply sunscreens sparingly. Rather, take out a liberal about and slather it all over your body, especially so on your face, neck, hands and feet. Don’t be afraid to apply a thick layer of sunscreen in order to get maximum protection.
• Often people forget to apply sunscreen on certain exposed body parts like ears, back, shoulders and the back of hands and knees. But these parts of the body are as susceptible to sun damage as the others. Therefore, make sure to apply sunscreen on all areas of your body. For areas that are hard to reach by yourself like your back, ask a friend to help you out.
• Be careful while applying sunscreen around your eyes. Eye contours are very gentle and fragile and therefore can react to any harsh substances. Apply only a thin layer of sunscreen there.
• Reapply sunscreen after every 2 to 4 hours. Even if the label says ‘waterproof’ or ‘water-resistant’ make sure you reapply it after swimming or sweating. This is because such water-resistant or waterproof sunscreens offer only 40 to 80 minutes of protection against contact with water or sweat, after which it simply wears off.