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Here, Mauricio shares her top 6 tips for how to apply sunscreen and maximize your daily sun protection. Read on for more!
1. Prep your skin.
“Apply sunscreen on dry skin, especially when wet or sweating,” she says. “This will allow better coverage and protection. Sunscreens are important in decreasing your risk for sunburns, which makes your outdoor experience more enjoyable and minimizes pain and downtime after your activity.”
2. Plan ahead.
“Apply sunscreen 30 minutes prior to sun exposure,” says Mauricio. “This allows for increased effectiveness. Regular use of sunscreens properly will reduce the risk for skin cancers and pre-skin cancers.”
3. Cover hard-to-reach areas.
“Don’t forget to apply sunscreen on your ears,” she says. “This is especially important for men or if you have short hair. The ears are a common area for skin cancers. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen to cover UVA and UVB rays.”
4. Use your head.
“Don’t forget to apply sunscreen on your scalp if your hair is thinning,” says Mauricio. “Actinic keratosis and skin cancers occur commonly on the scalp because people forget to protect this area.”
5. Avoid Rx interactions.
“It’s very important to use sunscreen daily when you have acne,” she says. “Many prescriptions and over-the-counter topical treatments increase sensitivity to sunburns and sun sensitivity. Also, sunscreen can decrease the risk for discoloration and blemishes after active acne resolves.”
6. Make sunscreen a habit.
“Incorporate sunscreen in your daily morning routine, not just when you are going to the beach or poolside,” says Mauricio. “Regular use of sunscreens can slow down skin aging. It can minimize discoloration, wrinkles, and sagging. This will help keep your skin younger and healthier over time.”
Tell us if these sunscreen tips helped you in the comments! For more sunny season essentials, head to our Summer Fashion shop, and remember to tag your looks on Instagram @lulus using #lovelulus!
This post was originally published in 2011 and has been updated with new content.