How to Apply Sunscreen to the Face and Neck

Knowing that a sunscreen moisturizer is the number one BEST anti-aging product in the world when worn every single day of the year, rain or shine, inside or out, (because damaging UV rays do penetrate through windows in your home or office), it is really important to make sure that you apply it the correct way. Add in that the SPF number isn’t necessarily a guarantee of proper protection, but rather how generously you apply it, here is my recommendation for proper application of your daily sunscreen moisturizer.

Read: Which is Better? SPF 30 or SPF 100?

How to apply sunscreen:

Step 1: After applying your toner and skin serum, take a quarter size amount of sunscreen and first apply it to the neck area. (If you’re wearing a bathrobe, you’ll want to remove it because the collar will interfere with proper application on the sides of the neck.)

Step 2: When applying to the neck, apply in upward strokes to the front of the neck, and then, working sideways, apply to the sides of the neck, all the way to the hairline in the back of your head. This will ensure that you are covering the area well…

Step 3: Apply a dime-sized amount to the chest area if you’re going to be wearing a V-neck shirt or any clothing that allows the chest to be exposed. Let dry.

Step 4: Apply a dime to nickel-sized to your fingertips, rub it together in your fingers and starting from the sides of the nose outwards to the ears, apply it generously. Then apply to the forehead, nose, chin, and upper lip area. You’ll want to make sure that you’re very thorough in your application by extending it all the way up and out to the hairline. If you need to apply more to ensure a thick coat on the face, be sure to do so.

Read: Do You Have Brown Spots on Your Hairline?

Step 5: Whatever is leftover on the fingers, apply some to the tops of your ears and earlobes.

Step 6: Proceed with makeup, ideally a mineral-based makeup that will offer additional sun protection. I personally use ColoreScience SPF 50 Mineral Powder and it’s available here for purchase.

Note: the reason why I suggest you spread the sunscreen in your fingers first, versus putting on dollops onto the face and then spreading, is simply that you’re more likely to get an even application when you spread it out in your fingers first.

Read: Does Foundation Makeup with Sunscreen Give Enough Protection?

If you have oily and acne-prone skin, look for lightweight formulas, such as Daily Protection SPF 30, that don’t have a greasy feel, so you can apply it generously without worrying about it feeling heavy on the skin or clogging the pores.

Most people do not apply nearly enough sunscreen to the face and neck everyday, so while it may surprise you at the quantity in which I suggest you use, you really need two generous applications – one for the area of the neck and chest, as well as one for the face. Many people will put sunscreen on the face, and just carry the remnants of that application down to the neck and chest. Remember, to really protect and cover your skin from the damaging UV rays, you must apply it liberally.

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