Lots of People Apply Sunscreen Wrong. Here’s How to Do It Right.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. However, numerous studies on sunscreen usage have found that no matter what SPF people use, they routinely apply less sunscreen than needed for optimal protection, and they don’t reapply frequently enough, either.

To compensate for that, you might want to consider using a higher-SPF sunscreen. As we report in our sunscreen guide, “Your chances of getting an effective SPF above 30, regardless of what the label claims, are better if you buy a sunscreen labeled SPF 50 or even 70.”

Whatever SPF rating you choose, though, you still need to reapply that sunscreen with the same frequency. All sunscreens, no matter their SPF, need to be reapplied at least every two hours.

It takes about 1 liquid ounce of sunscreen to properly cover most swimsuit-clad adult bodies. If you have no idea what that amount looks like, it’s roughly 2 tablespoons, or the amount that would fit into the cupped palm of a medium-size adult hand.

That amount can also include the sunscreen you apply to your face. As far as sun protection is concerned, “regular” sunscreens and face sunscreens are the same. (If you do apply face sunscreen separately, we note in our guide to the best face sunscreens that a quarter-size amount of liquid sunscreen is sufficient for the face, neck, and ears.)

Stick and spray sunscreens seem to present a pleasant alternative to slathering lotion all over your body and face by hand. But here’s the rub: You still need to rub them in.

Stick sunscreens aren’t as easily measurable as lotions, and their format makes them less practical for full-body application. If you do use one, however, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you apply “four passes back and forth” over every part of your body, and then rub it all in by hand.

With spray sunscreens, it may be even trickier to gauge just how much you’ve applied. If you do use a spray sunscreen, there are a few application strategies that should help you get better coverage.

The AAD suggests positioning the container’s nozzle close to the skin and spraying until the skin glistens. Immediately after spraying, rub in the sunscreen vigorously, even if the directions say there’s no need to rub it in. To avoid inhaling particles, which could pose a health risk, it’s also important to apply the product in a well-ventilated area. And never spray directly onto your face; instead, spray the sunscreen onto your hands, and then rub it in.

No matter which kind of sunscreen you use, make sure you really apply it all over. Researchers have reported that the ears and the tops of the feet typically receive the worst sunscreen protection, so don’t forget them. The team’s findings also suggest that, whenever possible, it’s better to have someone else apply sunscreen to your back than to try to do it yourself.

It’s best to apply sunscreen before you head into the sun—at least 15 to 20 minutes prior to sun exposure. To be the most effective, sunscreen needs time to soak in.

No matter what kind of sunscreen you use or how big the SPF number is on the bottle, the clinical consensus on reapplying is this: Reapply after you’ve been in the water, after any sweat-inducing activity, or after one to two hours—whichever comes first.

However, when you’re out and about, whether you are working hard or having fun, you may find it difficult to be diligent about your sunscreen reapplication. If you need a more structured way to remember to reapply, you can use this imperfect yet good-enough two-step plan, determined by researchers who reviewed several studies on sunscreen application:

• Apply the first coat 15 to 20 minutes before sun exposure.
• Apply the second coat within your first hour of sun exposure. (You can set a timer on your phone to remind you to reapply.)

This strategy will provide what should be a satisfactory amount of coverage. But experts agree that the best plan is to reapply regularly and generously, every one to two hours spent in the sun or after any sweating or water exposure.

Any skin atop your head that’s exposed to the elements—whether you’ve got a fully bald pate or just a part to protect—needs shielding from the sun. Hats are your best bet (especially those that offer UPF 50+ protection, like our recommended sun hats for hikers), but you can use sunscreen if needed. Just remember to rub it in, and reapply it as you would on any other part of your body.

The Skin Cancer Foundation says you can use “any type of sunscreen that works for your face” on your scalp. Facial sunscreens tend to be formulated with less (or no) oil.

The same advice applies when you are covering stubbly facial hair, according to the AAD. There’s no need to apply sunscreen on top of facial hair that fully covers the skin beneath it, as a full beard does.

And when hair itself is exposed to the sun, it doesn’t pose a risk to your health, though it might alter the color or texture.

Few moments are as frustrating as when you’re trying to smear sunscreen on a child who wants nothing more than to squirm out of your gooey grip.

If a kid is old enough to apply their own sunscreen, keep this in mind: A study of 87 children (between the ages of 5 and 12) found that kids applied the most sunscreen on themselves when they used a pump to dispense the product versus when they used a squeeze bottle or a roll-on.

Pump bottles can also provide a (slightly) less messy application experience overall, regardless of whether a child or caregiver is performing the task. Though pricey, the chemical sunscreen Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 (which is one of our face sunscreen picks and is available in an 18-ounce pump bottle) has long been a Wirecutter staff favorite because of how nice it feels to apply. We also recommend Equate Sport Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Value Size SPF 50, a less-expensive chemical sunscreen that comes in a 32-ounce pump bottle.

For kids who are especially sunscreen-averse, you may want to try using a tool that can make application more pleasant. Some Wirecutter parents rely on a makeup or foundation brush to “paint” the lotion on the skin before rubbing it in.

There are also products designed specifically for sunscreen application. One such product, Solar Buddies, purportedly sidesteps the need to involve hands in the application process. You transfer sunscreen into the Solar Buddies container, and then you dispense it directly onto your skin via its roll-on sponge applicator. In practice, though, some testers found they still needed to rub in sunscreen by hand after rolling it on. The device is also tricky to clean.

Kids who are old enough to apply their own sunscreen may prefer using a stick or a spray sunscreen. Just make sure they generously apply the sunscreen and thoroughly rub it in.

Although the above tips might not make the application and reapplication completely painless, we like to tell our kids: You know what hurts more than applying sunscreen? A sunburn!

This article was originally published in 2022. The 2024 version was edited by Catherine Kast and Tracy Vence.