We all understand how important sun protection is—it’s something we’ve had drilled into us by skin experts for some time now. But it’s still so easy to make small mistakes that can have a huge impact, both on the risk of sunburn and longer term skin damage.

We spoke with Etre Vous Experts to determine the most common sunscreen mistakes, and the ways to fix them ahead of the summer season.

Mistake #1: Applying SPF in the wrong order 

This mistake applies to facial SPF which you should really be wearing every day, come rain or shine—remember that up to 90 per cent of UV rays can still penetrate through cloud cover. The order in which you apply your sunscreen is essential, and making an error here can greatly impact its efficacy. “Many people apply sunscreen mixed with foundation, which dilutes efficacy. Others apply it under skincare actives (like vitamin C), reducing penetration,” says Aesthetics Expert Dr Raquel Amado.  

The fix? It’s an easy one. “Sunscreen should be the final step of skincare (before make-up),” confirms Amado, who suggests following the ‘thinnest to thickest’ rule for ease. As its name suggests, this simply means using your skincare products in order of thinnest texture (such as skincare actives/serums) to thickest (moisturiser if needed, then sunscreen last).

Amado also recommends waiting around two to three minutes between layers to avoid pilling, and doubling down on sun protection when wearing make-up with an SPF primer or setting spray.

Mistake #2: Thinking SPF in make-up is sufficient 

This is one beauty editors and skin experts hear a lot, and it’s somewhat understandable. Due to mixed messaging in make-up marketing, it’s easy to believe that getting your SPF quota from a foundation or tinted moisturiser is sufficient protection. Turns out, it’s simply not.

“This one comes up all the time,” begins Aesthetics Expert Dr Emmaline Ashley. “Patients will tell me, ‘I use a foundation with SPF,’ when I ask them if they're good with their sun protection. But unfortunately, that SPF isn’t nearly enough.”

She continues: “You’d need to apply a thick, even layer—usually far more than people use when applying make-up—to get the protection stated on the label. It also doesn’t account for uneven application or the fact that make-up usually doesn’t go everywhere (like your ears, neck or hairline).”

To overcome this ‘mistake,’ simply invest in a dedicated facial sunscreen to apply before any make-up, and follow the ordered rules set out above!

Mistake #3: Forgetting ‘high-risk’ areas 

When you’re out at the beach or walking around in warmer climes, it’s easy to slather on a little sunscreen on the face, limbs and shoulders and hope for the best. However, we often tend to skip certain high risk areas because of this approach. “People focus on the face but forget UV exposure on the ears, neck, décolletage and hands. These areas show ageing and are common spots for skin cancer,” warns Dr Amado.  

To reduce risk, she explains it’s essential to apply SPF to all exposed skin, remembering areas like the back of the neck if your hair is up or your hands, which are often forgotten. “UV rays reflect off of surfaces (like water, snow, or even concrete), so areas like the underside of the chin and around the eyes (including eyelids) get indirect exposure—don’t skip them,” she concludes.

Mistake #4: Not using enough product 

You may hear about this one a lot, but it’s so important to use enough of your SPF to be truly protected. “There’s a huge misconception that ‘a little goes a long way’ when it comes to sunscreen,” says Ashley. “Most people apply far too little. Applying less significantly reduces your actual protection, even if you’re using SPF50.”

So how much should you actually be looking to put on each area? “You need at least two full finger lengths just for your face, and a full teaspoon per body area. For example: one arm = one teaspoon.” As well as putting on enough, make sure you are reapplying regularly, particularly after exercising (sweating) or swimming. Ideally, you should be putting on a high factor sunscreen every couple of hours.

Mistake #5: Not checking the UV index 

Something common in warmer countries around the world (such as Australia and New Zealand) is checking the UV index, as well as the daily temperature. The UV index runs from one to 20—the higher it is, the higher your risk of UV exposure and thus, sunburn. If the number is above three, it’s time to prioritise sun protection, whatever your chosen formula may be.

In the UK, we often make the mistake to only check the temperature outside, but during warmer months (March to October), it’s advisable to start brushing up on your UV index knowledge. It’s easy to check; simply look at your chosen weather app for the daily figure and reach for the sunscreen accordingly.