The best protection against sun damage is to shield yourself from the sun’s rays entirely. But that’s rarely practical. And even with all of the sunglasses, rash guards, sun hats, and UPF clothing in the world, you usually still need a second line of defense. That’s where sunscreen comes in.
For many of us, that’s also where the questions start: How much sunscreen do you need? How often do you need to apply it? And does the type of sunscreen you use matter?
The short answers: You need 1 liquid ounce, applied roughly every two hours; any non-expired sunscreen labeled “broad spectrum” (which means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF of 30 or higher is a good option, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. (All of the picks in our sunscreen guide—as well as every sunscreen we recommend, including reef-safe and face sunscreens—meet these criteria. We chose physical and chemical sunscreen formulas that are easy to apply and wear, and that generally cost less than the competition.)
Read on for expert-backed sunscreen application and reapplication tips.