We all know how important daily sunscreen application is. Wearing SPF is the only way to protect skin from the harmful UV rays that can lead to long-term skin damage, worsen hyperpigmentation, trigger inflammatory skin conditions, speed up the process of skin ageing and even cause skin cancer. What you might not know is that applying your sunscreen in the morning isn’t actually enough to protect you throughout the entire day.
“The directions of a sunscreen will tell you to reapply every two hours or after towelling, swimming or sweating,” says skincare expert and cosmetic scientist Hannah English-Collingwood. “Ideally, you’d reapply in the same way you did your first application.” Of course, if you’re a makeup wearer or you’re on the go, it’s not always easy or practical to whip out a tube of sunscreen whilst you’re on the tube or at work. But fortunately, this dilemma (and the importance of SPF reapplication) is something that skincare brands are catching on to, and these days there are a number of SPF products specifically designed for reapplication, such as sunscreen sticks and mists.
According to Collingwood-English, sunscreen sticks and sprays are not necessarily reliable for your initial SPF application, as it can be hard to get a good amount of coverage. “I’d recommend these for touch-ups only, and to use a lotion or liquid instead where possible,” she adds.
Since I am typically out of the house for around ten hours each day, I for one, am never without a sunscreen stick in my handbag. Whilst I prefer mists for reapplication over makeup, on no-makeup days a sunscreen stick is my favourite way to ensure my skin is protected while I’m on the go. They’re quick and easy to use, and you can throw them in your bag with no worries of leakages occurring. Convinced? Scroll down to discover some of the best sunscreen sticks for SPF reapplication.
Next Up: Yes, You Should Be Wearing SPF Every Day: How, Where and When to Apply It
