3 secrets to nailing your
sun protection
Photography: Colin Gaudet, 21 MGMT; Makeup & Hair Artist: Brittany Sinclair, Makeup & Hair Artist Asst: Lauren Jonovitch,
both with P1M; Model: Changich, Stray Mgmt
Welcome to the throes of summer! It may be August 1st, but we know there’s still plenty of fun in the sun to be had. Which also means there’s no better time to fine-tune your daily sunscreen habit. For anyone still searching for the perfect formula or unsure of how much SPF to apply, our top 3 tips to nailing your sun protection will help!
#1 - Know Your Type
The first key to finding a SPF you love is finding one that loves your skin type right back. As with moisturizers, the texture of a sun protection product can be a great clue to whether it might be a fit, or not.
In general, if you have oily skin or combination skin then a lightweight lotion or gel SPF will respect your sebum laden complexion.
On the flip side, a rich, emollient cream SPF is the answer if you have dry skin or mature skin that needs help retaining hydration.
And if you have sensitive skin or reactive skin, the best bet for you is likely to be a lotion or cream that’s also a mineral sunscreen, which refers to one of two types of UV filters or active ingredients used in sun protection formulas.
It can be helpful to know the difference between chemical and mineral ingredients when SPF shopping – click here as we quickly break it down for you.
spf for every skin type
For Oily & Combination Skin: Starface Clear as Day SPF 46, $32
For Dry & Mature Skin: Clé de Peau Beauté Protective UV Cream SPF 50+, $140
For Sensitive & Reactive Skin: Evereden SPF 50 Premium Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, $39
#2 - Coverage is Key
Adequate sun protection can only occur when you’re using the proper amount of product, and putting it on the right places.
To nail the required amount for your face, we swear by the 2-finger rule as a handy guide. It’s literally as easy as dispensing product along your index and middle finger before massaging it in. Another fingers length should be used to cover your neck and chest. And for a full body application, think: bottoms up! It’s advised to use a full shot glass-worth of sunscreen (aka 1 ounce) to cover torso, arms and legs.
As for placement, the aim is to cover any and all skin that’s exposed. That means paying attention to the oft-forgotten bits that are equally prone to burning, discolouration and skin cancer. Be thorough and don’t skimp on covering the tops of hands and feet, around your eyes, on lips and ears, and even your hairline and part along your scalp.
Oh my, let’s re-applY!
#3 - The Re-application Situation
Reapplying SPF is another trick to acing sun protection, and it should happen every 2 hours, especially if you’re exposed to direct sun, or in and out of water, or working up a sweat. While you should always use a cream or lotion sunscreen as your original base application to ensure even coverage, it’s smart to have a stick, powder or spray SPF on hand to re-up with ease.
Staying out of the sun during peak hours (10am to 4pm) is also advised, though not necessarily realistic for making the most of the season. BUT a wide brim hat can bring the shade to you, and wherever you end up!