Sun damage is the number one cause of premature ageing. So it’s important to slip, slop, slap every day to help prolong your skin’s youth and prevent unwanted fine lines and pigmentation.
And you’re never immune to sun damage, no matter what the season. It makes sense, really — the sun rises every day of the year (in most parts of the world, at least) and UV rays can penetrate through clouds, meaning yes, your skin can burn during the daylight hours.
Here, we’ve rounded up a few surprising sunscreen facts that will have you reaching for your favourite SPF in no time.
You need to wear sunscreen in winter
Just because the weather isn’t as warm doesn’t mean the sun stops shining. In fact, the UV level in many parts of Australia remains above 3 all year ’round, meaning that your skin can still become sun-damaged through cloud cover and glass.
Your skin may not look visibly burnt during winter, but UV rays still damage your skin cells, leading to a loss of elasticity and increased pigmentation. So if you sit next to a window in the office, it’s a good idea to be reapply your SPF throughout the day.
The two-finger rule is the simplest way to measure your SPF
According to the Cancer Council, you need to apply one teaspoon of sunscreen for your face — including your neck and ears. The easiest way to measure this? Use the two-finger rule.
Simply swipe two lines of sunscreen across the index and middle fingers of one hand and voila!
For the rest of your body, a shot glass amount of sunscreen is needed. To break it down, you can use the two-finger rule to measure the right amount for each arm, leg and the front and back of your body.
If you’re mostly indoors, you may not need to re-apply
As a general rule, most derms and SPF experts recommend reapplying your sunscreen every two hours. However, according to the experts at Paula’s Choice, this isn’t really necessary if you’re going to be indoors all day.
Sunscreen is actually broken down by direct exposure to UV rays, as well as sweat, sebum and water. So if you’re going to be staying dry and within a regulated temperature (i.e. you’re not sweating), your morning application of SPF will offer enough protection for the rest of the day.
If your skin is oily, it may cause the sunscreen to break down faster which calls for reapplication.
Mineral sunscreen will help protect against blue light damage
The average Australian spends at least five hours on their phone each day. Add to that your time in front of the computer and TV and your screen time adds up to the majority of your waking hours, which can leave your skin looking (and feeling) dull and lifeless.
Adding a good vitamin C serum packed with antioxidants to your skin care routine is essential, but some sunscreens, like La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF50+ ($23.79 at Chemist Warehouse), also offer protection against blue light damage. Mineral sunscreen contains zinc oxide, which blocks visible light and helps combat environmental damage from UV and blue light.
SPF30 still offers pretty solid protection
You know that little number on your sunscreen bottle? According to The Cancer Council, SPF50+ only offers slightly greater protection than SPF30. While SPF50+ filters out 98 per cent of UVB radiation, SPF30 blocks out 96.7 per cent of UVB.
However, any UV damage is bad and just because you apply SPF50+ before heading out doesn’t mean you are totally safe from the sun’s wrath. The sunscreen wears off throughout the day (hence the need to reapply if you’re going to be outside) which lowers the Sun Protection Factor in your sunscreen.
Ready to slip, slop, slap? Here are our go-to sunscreens to keep you protected all year ’round.
Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Face Fragrance Free Lotion SPF50, $14.49 at Chemist Warehouse
Naked Sundays SPF50+ Hydrating Glow Mist, $39.95 at MECCA
Cancer Council Face Day Wear Moisturiser SPF50+ For Face & Body Invisible, $17.49 at Chemist Warehouse
Paula’s Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30, was $46 now $36.80 at Paula’s Choice
Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Lip Balm Wild Strawberry, $6.95 at Bondi Sands
Invisible Zinc Face + Body Sunscreen SPF50 UVA-UVB, $26.94 at Catch
Oh yay! I’ve been wearing the Naked Sundays 100% Mineral sunscreen lately so it’s good to know it also prevents blue light damage and doesn’t break down the way chemical one’s do. Thanks for this write up bh!
Very informative article
Agreed, I’ve learned a lot today and happy to see my La Roche-Posay sunscreen included in the article
It is a good article and good to know however I do apply sunscreen a lot more liberally as I have fair skin and burn easily
I don’t really love the whatever finger rule. This has been contested a couple of times as being an inadequate amount of sunscreen. I would just be liberal with application.
It’s hard to know how much sunscreen to put on! I always end up putting more just to be safe
I think that is sensible
Same Ethelinde. I use at least two tablespoons on my face and front of neck and back of neck. This is during Winter!
Two tablespoons is a lot, Perthchick! Did you mean to write teaspoons? I don’t know how that much sunscreen could ever absorb into my skin!
Wow PC! Sounds like you’re well and truly covered there!!
As sunscreen is there to protect us from sun damage, putting on more sunscreen than advised is probably not a bad thing
i probably dont use enough then
Agree. I would just get in a mess. I just put plenty on and know I’m covered safely.
Never knew about the 2 finger rule, will have to try that out next time!
My husband told me that last fact. I couldn’t find SPF50 Zinc for our teen daughter. I got SPF 30 at that time. I’ve found some now.
Thanks BH for your informative Article didn’t know that Mineral sunscreen will help protect against blue light damage. Always wear Sunscreen after I have put on my Serum around my eyes and eyelids, also put on a moisturiser as well. Then Face Primer and then Sunscreen then Foundation.
Read about the two-finger rule a couple of years ago and heard about SPF30 being not far off from SPF50 from a dermal clinician very recently but was unaware of the statistics
Cancer Council Face Day Wear Moisturiser SPF50+ For Face & Body Invisible sounds good and not a bad price either.
Don’t follow this rule and I use quite a bit.
I don’t reapply when I’m inside, but I definitely keep an eye on time when I’m outside, and make sure I do reapply every couple of hours.
Yes, the Cancer Council one.
I do try and use it daily
Hmm, I’m still trying to find a s/s that I actually like
Depends on what you are looking for really – like whether you want a physical blocker (zinc , titanium dioxide) or whether you’re after a chemical blocker. I think there is a rare few that contain both too.
I didn’t know about the two finger rule.
Good info, especially on how much to use.
I’m firmly in the sunscreen, year-round camp. I didn’t know that mineral sunscreen protected against blue light. I love mineral sunscreen!
I haven’t tried that but probably should as I do spend a lot of time on the computer
Blue light damage? Do we have actual proof in facts?
I’m not wearing it in winter and indoors. Nope. My melasma has faded.
So far no trouble with skin cancers. I must admit that I dont use sunscreen as often as I should but I never use it indoors. Where is the sun?
No I don’t use it indoors but I am outside a lot so that is not often that i miss
Beachfox is the best sunscreen I’ve found.
My sunscreen has a big wide hole so if I did two ‘strips’ of that it would be an awful lot but I guess it would suit most tubes of sunscreens? Sounds like a good guide nevertheless for those who are unsure of how much to use.
For a chemical one, Hamilton Everyday Face SPF50+ has been lovely. Love it’s invisible matt finish and very lightweight feel
I use the Cancer Society sunscreen as part of the money goes to the Cancer Society plus it is an easy sunscreen to apply
A very interesting article, sunscreen is even more important to me now I use retinol.
Interesting that mineral sunscreens also protect against blue light
I use the LaRoche-Posay 50+ which I find to be very good especially on sensitive skin.
It’s great to know about the two finger rule of sunscreen amount. Thanks for sharing.
Glad to hear about the small amount of difference between a SPF30 & a SPF50. Usually i find the 50 very thick so hate using it. I have gone back to using the 30 because of this, and now can do that with confidence!
Yes I was surprised at that and so good to know
Great article I learned a lot. Usually use the Cancer Society sunscreen, for the whole family. Although think I will get myself some Face day wear, price is also reasonable.
I suffer from a vitamin D deficiency & my doctor advised that I avoid using sunscreen during winter to help increase my absorption. I check the sun smart app everyday now & only apply it when the UV is going to be 3 or above. Lets hope my skin doesn’t hate me for it!
I want to try the naked sundays sunscreen as I see it on social media alot and its made me curious.
Great tips, thanks BH!
I appreciate the benefit of wearing sunscreen daily. I get it, we all age quick enough already, applying it extends the youthful years. BUT does anyone like the feeling of it in your face cream? I always feel like it blocks my pores and my skin does not breathe. I also find it encourages acne. I am open to any face cream that does not have that effect. I’d sign up daily for that one.
prevention is the key
I use suscreen daily, but struggle to use it liberally. Some products are easier than othes to apply.
Great informative article.
Found the Cancer Council Face Matte one greasy for some reason, will have to try the invisible one.
I always make sure to apply sunscreen regardless of sun.
I dont wear any sunscreen in winter but my moisturiser and serum do contain sunscreen
The Hawaiian one smells divine. My all time fave is Shiseido and la Roche posay!
I’m so naughty, I tell people to wear sunscreen but I don’t. 😂
Sunscreen cloggs my pores and makes me breakout – so I only wear it in summer when I absolutely have to.
That’s another good thing about not having oily skin – glad mine is getting less and less oily lately
My best tip is to throw Sunscreen away when it is out of date. I was burnt using old sunscreen when I was young – never again!
I pretty much wear sunscreen everyday feel naked without it
The Cancer Council is always a good bet I think.
I haven’t tried any of these sunscreens.
Good information here, thank you.