The right way to apply sunscreen
Sunscreen or shade are the only ways to protect yourself from sunburn. Did you already know that? Most people do - but a lot of sun worshippers still get sunburnt every year. This is because there are a lot of things you can do wrong when applying sunscreen.
People typically make three mistakes when applying sunscreen:
- The sunscreen is not right for their skin type
- They do not use enough sunscreen
- Body parts are left out
Which sunscreen is the right one?
Our skin can only protect itself from the sun's rays for a few minutes. This intrinsic protection time varies from person to person. There are six different skin types:
| Skin colour | Hair colour | Eye colour | Intrinsic protection time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typ 1 | very light, often with freckles | reddish to reddish-blonde | blue or grey | 10 minutes |
| Typ 2 | light, often with freckles | blonde to brown | all colours | 20 minutes |
| Typ 3 | light to light brown | dark blonde to brown | grey or brown | 30 minutes |
| Typ 4 | light brown or olive | dark brown | brown to dark brown | 50 minutes |
| Typ 5 | dark brown | dark brown to black | dark brown | > 60 minutes |
| Typ 6 | dark brown to black | black | dark brown | > 60 minutes |
Before this intrinsic protection time is up, you should either get out of the sun or apply sunscreen. Your skin type is decisive when choosing the right sunscreen. Every sunscreen has a sun protection factor (SPF). Multiplied by your skin's intrinsic protection time, the SPF tells you how long (in minutes) the sunscreen will protect your skin.
Example: you have skin type 1 with an intrinsic protection time of up to 10 minutes, and you apply a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15. You are now protected for a maximum of 10 minutes x 15 = 150 minutes.
How do sunscreens work?
There are two protective mechanisms - one chemical, the other physical. Many sunscreens use a combination of both:
- Chemical UV filters penetrate the skin and capture the sun's rays.
- Physical UV filters consist of tiny particles that shield the skin from UV rays.
Sunscreens based on physical filters are more skin-friendly than products that offer chemical protection. However, they are not fully absorbed and leave a white layer on the skin.
How much sunscreen is enough?
Does one bottle of sunscreen last you all summer? If so, you are definitely not applying enough. An adult needs about 35 grammes (about a handful or 6 to 8 teaspoons) to protect their whole body. This means a standard-sized 200 ml bottle contains enough sunscreen for six applications.
Tip: there is no such thing as "too much" sunscreen. It is better to apply more sunscreen if you are not sure.
Don't forget any body parts
Face, shoulders, décolleté - we always remember these parts. But what about your parting? Or your lips? These areas are often forgotten:
- the parting
- the lips
- the ears (also behind the ears)
- the back of the arms
- the skin close to the edges of your swimwear
- the hands
- the feet (including the soles)
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