Protecting your skin is one of the most important tasks we must undertake to care for our health, as it is the largest organ in the body. To do this, it is important to defend it from all external factors that can damage it.
More and more people are aware of the need to use sunscreen, but many still make mistakes that significantly reduce its effectiveness. Applying too little, forgetting certain crucial areas of the skin, or not reapplying it often enough are some of the most common mistakes.
To protect overall skin health and prevent sunburn, it is essential to choose a good sunscreen and also know when to apply it and how much to use.
Knowing how to correctly apply sunscreen not only helps prevent sunburn, but also protects the skin against damage caused by accumulated sun exposure. In this text, we explain why sun protection is so important and how to use it to enjoy summer more safely.
Why is it important to use sunscreen?
Skin is the largest organ in the body, and caring for it is essential if we want to enjoy good overall health. During summer and very sunny days, ultraviolet radiation can cause skin damage.
During the summer months, ultraviolet radiation reaches particularly high levels. Excessive sun exposure can cause sunburn, irritation, and dehydration of the skin. However, the most worrying effects usually appear over time, as it can cause long-term skin alterations.
Numerous studies link many visible signs of aging to accumulated sun exposure over the years. Therefore, using sunscreen minimizes the effects of radiation and keeps skin healthy for much longer.
The skin absorbs everything we put on it, so it is also very important to pay attention to the ingredients contained in the sunscreen we use. At Banbu, all our sun creams are formulated with highly effective natural ingredients designed to guarantee high protection, in addition to having SPF50+ and a mineral filter.
How to correctly apply sunscreen
In addition to choosing a sunscreen that is free of toxins and endocrine disruptors, how it is applied is also very important to ensure its effectiveness. Below, we share the steps that will help you achieve effective protection throughout the summer:
Apply sunscreen before sun exposure
One of the most frequent mistakes is applying sunscreen when we are already settled and have been in the sun for a while. It is usually advisable to apply the cream 15 to 30 minutes before exposure.
When we apply it a little earlier, we are giving our skin the necessary time for the product to spread and protect us completely and uniformly from the very beginning.
Use the appropriate amount
Applying too little sunscreen is probably the most frequent mistake and one of the ones that most reduces its effectiveness. Lack of knowledge means that many people use less sunscreen than necessary, which can reduce its effectiveness.
To achieve the indicated level of protection, it is necessary to apply a sufficient amount of product. As a reference, we would need approximately 30 to 40 milliliters for the body to cover it entirely, which is roughly equivalent to a full shot glass. For the face, two full fingers of cream are usually needed.
Cover the most exposed areas
When applying sunscreen, many people focus too much on their arms, legs, and face, neglecting to apply enough cream to areas such as the back, chest, or thighs. These areas are left unprotected and, therefore, exposed to solar radiation.
Some of the areas that are most frequently forgotten are the neck, insteps, bikini line, and nape. Paying attention to these areas helps achieve more complete protection.
Spread the product evenly
For optimal protection, the product must be spread homogeneously over the entire skin surface.
It is important to apply the right amount to each area. It is useless to apply a large amount to one area and leave others uncovered. Ideally, spread it gently until it forms a uniform and continuous layer.
How often should sunscreen be reapplied?
There is still a belief that a single application in the morning is enough to protect us all day. However, this is not the case. Reapplying sunscreen is one of the most important aspects to ensure good protection.
Some sun creams are water and sweat resistant, but it is very difficult for them to remain intact for all the hours spent outdoors. Friction from clothing, sand, or bathing can progressively reduce protection.
All of this means that it is recommended to reapply sunscreen every two hours if you are going to be directly exposed to the sun. If you engage in intense physical activities outdoors, it is also recommended to reapply it to the body afterward.
It is important to remember that reapplying does not mean that the cream has completely disappeared, but rather that it is important because it helps maintain the necessary level of protection.
Benefits of using sunscreen correctly
Incorporating sun protection into your daily routine provides multiple benefits for skin health, especially in summer when we spend more time outdoors and are directly exposed to the sun.
Although we often talk about the long term, one of the greatest virtues of applying sun cream is to prevent sunburn. Sunburn is an inflammatory response of the skin to excessive ultraviolet radiation. In addition to the pain and discomfort it causes, burns can increase accumulated skin damage over time.
Using a good sun cream also reduces premature aging, as it prevents the early appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. People who easily develop sun spots can also benefit from using sunscreen.
However, beyond aesthetics, protecting the skin from solar radiation helps it to be healthier by reducing the cumulative damage caused by continuous sun exposure.
Should you use sunscreen every day?
A very frequent question is whether we should apply sunscreen every day. Although the vast majority of people associate it only with very sunny and hot days, it is recommended to use protection, at least facial, daily.
Sun exposure can also occur during everyday activities such as walking, playing sports, or sitting on a terrace. For this reason, applying facial sunscreen every morning can become one of the simplest and most effective habits for long-term skin care.
Correctly apply your sun cream to increase its benefits
Knowing how to correctly apply sunscreen is as important as choosing the right product for your skin type. Using the necessary amount, applying it before sun exposure, covering all exposed areas, and reapplying it periodically are fundamental steps to achieve effective protection.
We are increasingly aware that using sun protection not only helps prevent sunburn, but also contributes to reducing premature aging and caring for skin health in the long term.
If you want to have healthy, protected, and cared-for skin in summer, apply your sun cream following these tips. Incorporating this habit into your routine is one of the best health investments you can make.
