Here’s How Much Sunscreen to Apply to Face for Optimum Protection

We all know that sunscreen is a must when headed outdoors, whether for a day at the beach, a casual stroll in the park or even when it’s cloudy (UV rays can still penetrate through clouds)! After all, Australia has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world, and sun protection can truly be a matter of life or death.

But while most people may not be questioning the importance of SPF, you might wonder – how much of it should you be putting on the most vulnerable parts of your body, like your face?

Today, your friends at Little Urchin – creators of the reef safe sunscreen Australia beachgoers and outdoorspeople love – are going to clear the air on exactly how much sunscreen to apply to face to keep damage from ultraviolet (UV) rays at bay.

Here’s the golden rule for how much sunscreen you need on your face.

You may be one of many who make the effort to apply sunscreen regularly – keep it up! – but it’s just as important to be using an adequate amount. According to the Cancer Council of Australia, you need to be generous with your sunscreen. Use around one teaspoon on each arm and leg, one for the front of your body, one for your back, one for your head and one teaspoon for your face.

Unlike the other parts of your body, your face often goes bare and unprotected in the sun, which means it needs plenty of help from SPF to shield against all the direct sunlight. Not only that, but facial skin tends to be thinner than that of the rest of your body, which means the symptoms of UV damage – pigmentation, sunburn, leathery skin – will be more visible.

Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. While sunscreen in SPF 30 does a great job, filtering 96.7% of UV radiation, SPF 50 sunscreen filters more at 98%. Don’t forget to wait 20 minutes after applying sunscreen to begin with your outdoor activities; this will give the SPF enough time to establish a barrier for your skin.

Finally, since you’ll be slathering SPF all over your face and body before going to the beach, make sure to choose a reef-safe sunscreen suitable for our precious marine environment.

Be mindful of the areas you’re least likely to remember putting sunscreen on.

Armed with your bottle of natural, reef-safe zinc sunscreen, pay special attention to the parts of your face you may be missing. 

• Did you know you also need to put sunscreen on your ears? They get sun-damaged, too, so be sure to protect the tops and backs of your ears, especially if you have short hair or your ears are exposed for whatever reason.

• The skin around your eyes, including the eyelids, is very thin and sensitive, so it’s particularly susceptible to UV damage. While it's not recommended to apply sunscreen to eyelids, there is another thing you can do to keep them safe — sunglasses, of course.

• Use SPF balms to safeguard your lips.

• Last but not least, while not technically a part of your face, your scalp gets plenty of direct sun exposure. If your scalp is bare or if you have thinning hair, protect it with sunscreen for effective protection from UV damage.

It’s not just about how much sunscreen to apply to face; it’s how often. Reapply sunscreen every two hours or after you’ve been in the water or perspired significantly.

 

Don’t forget to complete your sun protection routine!

While the best sunscreens provide impressive protection, especially if you pick broad-spectrum options with physical blockers like zinc oxide, it shouldn’t be the only thing in your arsenal. For instance, baby sunscreen isn’t enough for children’s sensitive skin under the rays, so you’ll need to call in sun protection reinforcements.

To protect your face (and stay in the cool shade), wear a wide-brimmed hat or large-billed cap, then top it off with some sunglasses to protect your delicate eye area. Then, seek shade whenever you can, whether it’s under an umbrella or in an indoor area of the beach. To minimise UV damage, it’s indeed important to expose as little of your face and skin as possible by covering up using sun-protective clothing.

Finally, do your best to schedule activities outside of the peak UV hours; that’s from between 10.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. or 11.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. daylight saving time.

Key Points to Remember

• Your face is one of the most UV-vulnerable parts of your body, so apply a generous amount of sunscreen – one tablespoon for just your face.

• Don’t forget to put on sunscreen or cover up those uncommonly protected areas of your face, such as your eyes/eyelids, ears and neck.

• You sun protection routine isn’t complete without protective clothing, seeking shade, and timing your outings outside of peak sun hours.

With these tips on how much sunscreen to apply to face, you can enjoy your time in the sun without worrying about the risks of extensive UV exposure.

 

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With a commitment to natural care, Little Urchin offers Australian-made suncare products that are safe, sustainable and nourishing. We are dedicated to promoting healthier living and a safer environment.

Disclaimer: Our ingredients are sourced from nature and we apply a process to transform them into our final product.

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