The 6 Best Sunscreen Tips to Follow From a Dermatologist

My mom has always loved the outdoors. When I picture her on a typical day during my childhood, she’s returning from her gardens, and I'm wafting floral and earthy aromas as she teases me with a dirt-covered hug. Our family vacations were spent on lakes in canoes or riding ocean waves until sunset. She was always lathered in thick sunscreens with (what seemed to me at the time) outrageously high SPFs.

Despite her diligent sunscreen usage, my mother still ended up with skin cancer. She’s had basal cells removed from her nose and chest, along with several squamous cells. Now, she gardens in full sleeves and a wide hat, and never between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. On beach vacations, I swim on my own. 

According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancers are the most common type of cancer in the country. At their worst, they’re lethal, and even the less dangerous kinds can torpedo your hobbies and interests, not to mention cost exorbitant time and money to treat.

Sunscreen is one of the most important ways to protect yourself and lessen your risk of skin cancer, but only if you're using it the right way. After speaking with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Asmi Berry, I learned SPF application isn't foolproof; I’ve used sunscreen every day for as long as I can remember, and I still have a lot to learn about the nuances of radiation protection. 

Below, I dive deep into the top six mistakes people make when it comes to SPF, as well as Dr. Berry's best sunscreen tips to avoid them. You'll also find dermatologist-recommended sunscreen picks from Supergoop, EltaMD, Neutrogena, and more top brands. 

Mistake: Not applying enough sunscreen

EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46

If you’ve stretched out the same bottle of sunscreen for months or even years, you probably haven’t actually been using enough. According to Dr. Berry, it should take about 1 ounce of sunblock, or about the size of a shot glass, to cover your entire body when exposed in a swimsuit. In her experience, it’s “way more than most people are putting on.”

As for which type of SPF to use, Dr. Berry says to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects from both UVA and UVB rays. She recommends looking for a product that also contains antioxidants, which are molecules that defend your skin from free radicals: “It just adds another layer of protection from the sun.” 

Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Ultralight Emulsion Mineral Sunscreen

“Personally, my favorite brand that I use is EltaMD. It’s really hydrating, and it’s great for people who are prone to acne or rosacea,” she continued. “For people who already have a lot of sun damage, I really like the Isdin Eryfotona Actinica. This is a sunscreen that protects your skin but also can help reverse sun damage you already have.” Dr. Berry is also a fan of drugstore-brand SPFs from La Roche-Posay and Neutrogena: “Both have really good products.” 

Mistake: Forgetting to reapply

Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Spray

Forgetting to reapply is the second most common sunscreen mistake that Dr. Berry warns against. The FDA instructs sunscreen users to reapply at least every two hours, and to increase the cadence when they are sweating or get wet. 

It’s helpful to set an alarm to remember to reapply during a long day out. Figuring out which type of sunscreen is the most convenient for you to use also makes reapplication less of an interruption. I’ve always found that using spray sunscreen is a great option to cut reapplication time. 

Although SPF 30 sunscreens are a good “baseline” for daily use, Dr. Berry recommends opting for a higher SPF if you’re planning a long stretch in the sun or have an existing skin condition. “If someone has melasma, which can be triggered by the sun, or they already have a history of sun damage leading to cancers or precancers, I’d say SPF 50 or higher,” she explained. “Also, if they’re planning on spending a day in direct sun, I’d aim for SPF 50 or higher.” 

Mistake: Missing the most overlooked body parts 

Burt’s Bees SPF 30 Lip Balm

“The most common parts of the body that are overlooked are the ears, the neck, the hands, and the tops of the feet,” Dr. Berry shared. “I do see a lot of sun damage there compared to the rest of the body.” 

Lips are another area you might not think of being vulnerable to UV damage. “I’ve seen skin cancers develop on the lips,” she continued. “Actinic Cheilitis is a term for precancers on the lips, because it’s not uncommon.” To keep this vulnerable skin area protected, Dr. Berry recommends using a lip balm “with SPF 30 or higher, especially for people who are outdoors often.” Burt’s Bees SPF 30 lip balm is one of her favorites to have on hand.  

Coola Scalp & Hair Mist Sunscreen

One last area you might be neglecting? Your noggin. “I do see a fair amount of skin cancer on the scalp,” she said. “I always recommend patients, especially if they have scalp show—meaning their hair is thinning—to wear a hat.” 

An SPF scalp mist like Coola’s Scalp & Hair Mist Sunscreen is another great option, and it comes with the bonus of shielding your hair from UV rays, which can weaken it over time, leading to dryness and breakage. “This scalp mist is a great option, especially for protecting hard-to-reach areas like the scalp,” Dr. Berry shared. “I love the antioxidant-rich natural ingredients like aloe vera and monoi oil, which give added protection against UV-induced free radical damage.” 

Mistake: Only relying on makeup with SPF

Supergoop (Re)Setting Mineral SPF Setting Powder

Before talking to Dr. Berry, I’d always skipped my SPF moisturizer before putting on the Tower28 Tinted Sunscreen I use as a daily foundation. But as she explained, “Makeup with sunscreen is a great supplement, but it’s not enough on its own.”

She continued, “Whatever SPF it says on the makeup, that’s usually if you cake that foundation on your skin, and nobody really does that. The SPF you actually use is much less than what it says. 

Vacation Super Spritz SPF 50 Face Mist

To strengthen the protection of your favorite SPF beauty products, Dr. Berry advises that “the best is to layer sunscreen underneath the makeup, and to reapply using a setting spray with SPF or a powder with SPF.”

When it comes to layering SPF products, Dr. Berry suggested combining a mineral sunscreen with a chemical sunscreen, which work in different ways for “extra protection.” Just make sure to avoid running the first layer off by ensuring it’s fully dried before you apply another.

Mistake: Not applying on cloudy days or when you’ll be inside

Blue Lizard Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

You should be wearing sunscreen every day—even when it’s overcast or you aren’t planning on being outside. “The biggest oversight is not realizing [you get] daily exposure to UV radiation, even through windows or the short time of running errands, all that sun can add up over time,” Dr. Berry urged. “It adds up over time to lead to sun damage, which can lead to loss of collagen, sagging skin, wrinkles, and also skin cancer.”

Some people avoid using daily sunscreen because they don’t like the way it looks or feels, which is why it’s so important to experiment with your many, many sunscreen options to find the right one for you. Ultimately, Dr. Berry says, “The best sunscreen is the one you will use. My advice is to figure out which form you could see yourself using daily.”

Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick

If your skin is on the oily side, you’ll likely prefer chemical sunscreens since they tend to leave less of a whitecast. For dry or sensitive skin, mineral sunscreens are a gentler solution that act as a physical barrier to the skin instead of being absorbed into it. 

You can also experiment with different forms of SPF to see which is the most convenient and comfortable for you. Fans of stick sunscreen love the non-greasy formulas that are often easier to apply than lotions and sprays, and sticks don’t run the risk of spilling during travel. Shiseido’s stick sunscreen impressed Travel + Leisure editors during our travel sunscreen test.

Mistake: Not using after-sun care

Vacation After-sun Gel

Finally, according to Dr. Berry, a good skincare routine doesn’t end at sunset. “Even with good sun protection, your skin needs help recovering from sun exposure, so aftercare is important.”

Before you pick up just any old bottle of after-sun lotion, pay close attention to what's inside. “I would look for ingredients like aloe, niacinamide, or antioxidants,” Dr. Berry added. “These will all calm inflammation and also rehydrate the skin.” 

Vacation’s After-sun Gel checked all the boxes, so I grabbed it for a recent trip to Jamaica. The cool, refreshing formula didn’t disappoint in the hydration department, and it was a hero when other members of my group suffered sunburns.

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