It has been so long that I have myself followed applying sunscreen rule that I could not justify a post on it. Since almost two months though, I have been consistent and seeing the results. One of the major grouches with using sunscreen for me has always been determining how much sunscreen should you use.
What you are applying – is it too little, is it too much, it is getting greasy, it is sticking out on the skin, making a whitish cast on the skin. There are just too many problems with applying sunscreen and that is when I am not even mentioning reapplication.
Also Read : Application of Sunscreen
How much Sunscreen should you use?
Two Finger Rule
A long time back, like 5 years, I read somewhere that you must use the two finger rule to determine how much sunscreen should you use. According to this, you are supposed to apply two finger length of sunscreen on each part of your body. And, that it is a whole lot of product and, just like every other rule, the amount of sunscreen you get is determined by the texture of the product. Impossible!
Tip No. 1 – Apply sunscreen in Layers and Dots
I like to apply my sunscreen in layers and dots. First, I dot the sunscreen at the eyes and around the face and neck and decolletage. Blend. Repeat. Blend. Repeat till I am sure the sunscreen is evenly blended. Special attention to hair line, nose crevices and jaw lines. I also tend to use different sunscreens for face and body which saves money as well as a lot of hassle.
Shot Glass Rule
It is quite widely know that an entire shot glass full of sunscreen must be used on the exposed parts of the body. If you actually go an measure, it is again quite a large quantity and impossible to apply. The amount must be adjusted on the exposed parts of the body but how much sunscreen should you use also depends on clothes you are wearing. So, technically this rule is also not quite clear on how to distribute the sunscreen body part wise.
Okay, so here comes something interesting. One shot glass = 2-3 tbsp. So, it is 2-3 tbsp of sunscreen for all exposed parts of your body. That looks easy!
Texture of the Sunscreen
Okay, of course I am not going to ask you to measure out your sunscreen next time! But, 2-3 tbsp gives an idea on how much sunscreen should you use. But, the texture of the product determines how much that would be. If the sunscreen is runny like Neutrogena ultra sheer or La Rochay Posay Anthelios, you are safer but if you are using Neutrogena Dry Touch, it is a whole lot again. So, again we ask the question – how much sunscreen should you use?
What I am doing?
Use a nickel size amount of sunscreen for each part of the body.
I take a ten rupee coin size bit of sunscreen and adjust it for each body part depending on the texture and weather conditions and apply it. As I mention everywhere, I tend to use a little extra product for better protection and I do not mind the greasiness sometimes. But, you could stick to using a little less and reapplying the sunscreen whenever necessary.
Also Read : When should you reapply your sunscreen?
Tip No. 2 – Use Vitamin C Serum
It is advised to combine sunscreen with vitamin C serum for added protection. Another advantage of applying the serum is it is drying so it will help control the oil and greasiness which comes with applying sunscreen. That way, you can use a little more of sunscreen for better protection. And, vitamin C is exfoliating at the same time so it takes really good care of your skin!
Adjust the Amount of Sunscreen according to where you are
So, if you are staying back home the entire day and your home is well-ventilated, apply a good layer of sunscreen and you are safe. You could also apply a little less given that you are inside or it is raining or is a lot cloudy than sunny.
If you stay inside office all day long, again you can just go with one layer of sunscreen and cover yourself up when you are outside. Try to stay indoors though in the noons.
If you have a traveling job, that is a little difficult task. You must apply a good amount of sunscreen, carry a scarf or at least an umbrella and reapply whenever possible. Same goes for when you are on vacations, no matter which part of the world. More protection near beach, snow and other water bodies.
I have not tried it ever but I have a feeling that spray sunscreens are more easy to apply and less personal to use in public. Though, they do carry a lot of hazards – inhaling the chemicals, allergic to fragrances, allergic to that much of sprays, inconvenience to others, anything!
What do you do? How much sunscreen do you apply on a regular basis? Do you like to reapply your sunscreen?
That was a helpful information for using sunscreen and I use Neutrogena too 🙂
thanks Mariyam 🙂