Avoid These Sunscreen Mistakes This Summer

(Photo Credit: Jewelyn Butron)

Bella Breakdown

You may think your skin some good by using sunscreen, however, if you’re not careful you could be doing more harm than good. Luckily you can keep your skin safe by avoiding these easy sunscreen mistakes.

Yes, the spring and summer weather means the sun will be out longer but that shouldn’t be the only time you use sunscreen. Applying sunscreen should be a part of your daily routine for 365 days of the year because just because you may not feel it the sun rays are still reaching your body.

Not only should you be using sunscreen every day of the year, but you should avoid high SPF. One study published in the International Journal of Cancer found that people who used an SPF 30 spent up to 25 percent longer in the sun than those who slathered on SPF 10, which means a greater risk of sunburn as well as skin damage you can’t see. It is recommended to use a minimum of SPF 30 and a maximum of SPF 50.

Another mistake people make when it comes to sunscreen is that they don’t use enough of it. Using one-quarter to one-half of an 8oz. bottle—per person—during a long beach day should keep your skin safe.

According to research, most people who apply 25% to 50% of the amount of sunscreen had actual SPF coverage of about one-third of what’s on the label. Which means an SPF 30 is only as strong as an SPF 10.