How much sunscreen should I apply?

One of the most commonly asked questions about sunscreen is how much should one apply?

The answer is it depends on how specific and thorough you are with your application, how often you reapply and to a lesser extent, your physiology. In truth, most people do not apply enough sunscreen, let alone reapply sunscreen as directed. This is why often a higher SPF number (50++) broad spectrum sunscreen is suggested. Applying too little would give lower coverage and a higher protection level as the base would give you a higher protection in any case compared to a sunscreen with a lower protection factor. I.e. applying an SPF 50++ incorrectly could, in theory, give you an SPF 25 protection while applying SPF 30++ incorrectly could give an SPF 15 level of protection! We love The Organic Pharmacy SPF 50 sunscreen. 

In theory, two milligrams of sunscreen should be applied per center meter square of skin. For most people, on average, this is a fifty-cent coin amount for the face and another for the neck. While that may seem more than usual for most of us, this amount should actually be reapplied every two hours, especially if you are under the sun and exposed to UV rays all the time (this includes sitting by the window).

Admittedly, this is not very practical for most of us. One way to manage the white cast that physical sunscreens, which we recommend, may leave, is to layer the sunscreen rather than apply the entire amount in a single application. This would also ensure that areas left out in an earlier application can be covered by another application. If you are not exposed to the sun, for example, if you are in a basement or inside a shopping mall, there is no need to reapply sunscreen every two hours and an earlier application should be sufficient to protect you from incidental exposure at a later part of the day.

The amount actually required for adequate protection reiterates the importance of applying sunscreen under makeup even if the makeup contains SPF protection. Sunscreen makeup should be seen as an additional layer of protection rather than the primary sun protection product. We like using the Suntegrity Pressed Mineral Powder Compact – Translucent, Broad Spectrum SPF 50 to touch up along the day and as a final step before stepping out of the door. Primers with SPF protection are also a great way to layer SPFs! The Suntegrity Natural Moisturising Face Sunscreen and Primer, SPF 30 is a matt and functional hydrating all-in-one product that is a great makeup base.