Not applying sunscreen properly can harm your skin and waste cosmetics. So how to apply sunblock and is reapplying sunscreen the same as the first time? All will be answered in the following article.
1. Why is wearing sunscreen important?
Too much exposure to the sun can damage your skin. Using sunblock is essential for people of all skin types, ages and genders to protect their skin from the UV rays of sunlight. Not applying sunscreen or applying it incorrectly can make you susceptible to premature aging and the presence of carcinogens. Applying sunblock properly will help protect your skin against these.
2. How much sunscreen is enough?
Most people often do not apply enough sunscreen, which can lead to darkening and uneven skin tone as well as skin damage. The amount of sunblock to apply is about 2 milligrams per 1cm2 of skin. This amount of cream will ensure you are protected from the sun with the SPF index written on the sunscreen bottle.
In fact, many people often won’t calculate the amount of sunblock based on milligrams per square centimeter of skin, so it’s best to try to use at least 2 tablespoons of sunscreen to cover all exposed skin. For your face alone, you should use a small amount of sunblock about the size of a coin.
- Young children (< 3 years old): Apply at least 5-10ml of sunscreen, besides it is best to always keep children in the shade and out of direct sunlight.
- Children (3-5 years old): need at least 10-15ml
- Children (5-10 years old): need at least 15-20ml
- Adults need at least 30ml when applied all over the body.
3. How to apply sunscreen
4. How to reapply sunscreen
- For skin without makeup, you just need to apply a new layer of sunblock onto the skin, spreading it evenly so the cream is absorbed.
- For makeup-covered skin, you can remove makeup, reapply sunscreen, then apply makeup again. Although this method is quite time-consuming, it limits the condition of the skin causing acne.
5. When to apply and reapply sunscreen
- Apply sunscreen even when at home: Remember that it doesn’t have to be a hot sunny day with high UV rays to damage your skin. According to research, UV rays also exist in many blue light sources such as computers, phones, and televisions and have a significant impact on your skin.
- Apply sunblock 20-30 minutes before exposing your skin to the sun: This ensures that your skin has had enough time to absorb the cream and stay protected.
- Reapply immediately after sweating a lot: If you have just had a sports activity that caused a lot of sweating, this can cause the protective layer of sunscreen to be lost, you need to remember to reapply sunblock. after these activities.
- Reapply immediately after swimming or any water activity: Not all sunscreens are 100% waterproof, so remember to reapply sunblock immediately after swimming.
- How often should you reapply sunblock? You should reapply sunblock at least every 2 hours to ensure that your skin is protected from the sun. However, reapplication time may be longer if you do not go outdoors or more frequently if you swim or participate in outdoor activities.
- Wear a hat, wear protective clothing, and stay in the shade between 11a.m and 3p.m: This is when the intensity of UV rays is highest and most likely to damage your skin.
Sun protection for your skin is an important and necessary step in your skin care routine that you definitely should not skip. Applying sunblock properly will help your skin be thoroughly protected and avoid harmful UV rays in sunlight.