Reapplying sunscreen is an important yet overlooked aspect of skincare. For many of us, the thought alone can be daunting, especially on busy days or even rainy days when we deem it unnecessary. And on days like that, reapplication is probably the last thing on our minds. But beyond the inconvenience the truth remains, reapplying sunscreen, come rain or sunshine, is very important to adequately safeguard our skin and you’ll get to know why.
Why Reapplying Sunscreen Is Important
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, about 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays reach earth whether it is cloudy or not. And in case you forgot, here’s a refresher, UV rays can cause a long list of damage like premature aging, skin cancer, sunburn, etc
Below are other reasons why although reapplying may be stressful, you need to anyways
Prolonged Exposure to Sun Breaks Down Sunscreen
Regardless of the kind of sunscreen used, constant sun exposure throughout the day can cause it to break down. That is, the moment your skin gets exposed to sun, the active ingredients that are responsible for protection against harsh UV rays start to break down. And the more it wears out, the lesser the protection.
Sunscreen Can Rub Off
While (if your sunscreen doesn’t leave white cast) you can’t see if your sunscreen is still intact, it is certain that after hours it would have rubbed off. It’s just like your makeup, at a point, after hours there are smears here and there.
Aside from your face, the sunscreen on your body can be rubbed off by where you sit and even your clothes. So whether or not you’re outside for long, you definitely need to reapply.
Sweat and Water Can Also Break Down Sunscreen
Sweating as well as activities like showering or swimming can reduce the efficacy of sunscreen. This is because physical or mineral sunscreen simply sits on top of the skin which makes it easy for it to be washed away by water or sweat.
Chemical sunscreens on the other hand get absorbed by the skin. However, sweat can still tamper with its effectiveness.
So, except you’re in a room with no windows and with the AC on 24/7, you may not need to reapply as often.
Bottomline? Reapply sunscreen every two hours.
Helpful Tips On Reapplying Sunscreen
Well, now that we have to make do with this yet another stressful aspect of skincare, improvising is necessary. These are helpful tips that can aid reapplication:
- On behalf of us who think of this whole reapplying thing as a job we do not enjoy, we’d love to thank those who invented sun sticks!. Not only are they easier to reapply, you also don’t need to do the two finger rule. Just apply back and forth until it sufficiently covers the area you’re applying it on. (Don’t forget to blend it in as they usually have thick consistency)
- I think sun sticks are easy for reapplication but sun sprays are even better ! Personally I’d pick this over a lotion sunscreen for reapplication anyday, anytime! You get to skip all the time you would have spent rubbing the lotion all over too.
- Let’s not completely toss aside our lotion sunscreens. They are great for reapplication on a normal day and even when you have makeup on. You can simply reapply over your makeup by using a makeup sponge.
Stay glowing and protected!
