Your best defense against the visible signs of aging, not to mention skin cancer, is prevention. And that prevention comes in the form of sunscreen - which is an essential step in keeping your face looking youthful.

In most cases, your moisturizers and makeup that contains sunscreen are NOT going to give you the SPF you need to protect your skin, simply due to how little of these products you use. In fact, many products only contain SPF to counteract the increased sun sensitivity they cause, so they’re not giving you adequate protection. It’s recommended to use ¼ teaspoon of SPF on top of your skincare every day.

To get the most out of your facial sunscreen, you should choose one that offers broad spectrum protection for both UVA and UVB rays so you’ll be fully covered. It should feature an SPF of 30 or higher. Additionally, to avoid skin problems, you’ll want a non-greasy formula to keep from clogging up your pores or looking, well, greasy. Formulas with zinc oxide are ideal for facial sunscreens simply because they don’t leave a white cast behind which can reveal itself in unflattering ways in photos.

It also helps to choose a formula that is sweatproof and waterproof when you’ll actively be out in the sun. This keeps your protection in place for at least 80 minutes in most cases. Once you’ve chosen a quality facial sunscreen, these tips will help you properly apply it.

Start with a clean face and your skincare

Sunscreen will give you the best protection when it’s applied to your skin after your regular skincare products. Cleanse as you normally would, apply your serums and moisturizer, and then apply your sunscreen directly to your skin. About a nickel-sized amount of sunscreen should do the trick. If you want to wear makeup too, apply it after you put on your sunscreen. To further protect your skin from free radical damage and the drying sun, we recommended using the Fièra Skincare Set, which contains our dark-spot-destroying Citrus Stem Cell Serum, our antioxidant powerhouse Apple Stem Cell Cream, and our Multi-Effect Neck & Décolletage Cream. These three products will improve the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation from sun exposure, fine lines, wrinkles and crepey skin on the face, neck and chest.

Don’t forget those other little areas

As you apply your sunscreen for your face, you’re probably focusing on your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. But around your facial area, the neck, upper chest, and ears are often missed. Make sure you cover those as well to provide complete protection to these tender areas.

Time it right

Chemical sunscreen formulas work by absorbing into the skin first. This way, they can absorb those UV rays and convert them into heat before releasing them from the body. To get the most out of your SPF protection, you should apply it 20 to 30 minutes before going out in the sun. This way, it has time to soak in and provide the protection you need.

Make sure you reapply it appropriately

If you’re going for a walk, taking a bike ride, out on a picnic, or relaxing at a pool or beach, these direct encounters with the sun require a little more protection. For outdoor activities of all kinds, sweatproof and waterproof sunscreen is a must, but it won’t last all day. You need to make sure you reapply it every 80 minutes. Even if it hasn’t been quite that long but you’ve gone for a swim, reapply it again to stay fully protected.

Wear it every day (no exceptions!)

Don’t forget that the sun’s rays can cause damage at any time of year and even when it’s cloudy or snow is on the ground. Make it part of your skincare routine to wear SPF every single day. By following proper facial sunscreen application, you can prevent damage to your skin year-round, and look younger, longer.