HOW TO APPLY SUN CREAM
SKINCAREJuly 2026
It’s important to protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. Our high protection sun care products can be among your first line of defence, providing non-greasy protection. But are you applying sun cream correctly? If not applied properly, sunscreen isn’t as effective, so you might not be getting all the benefits from your SPF.
Read on to discover how to apply sunscreen correctly and enjoy the sun safely with our sun cream application tips.
How to apply sunscreen: key takeaways
- Apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours.
- SPF should always be the final step in your skincare routine, after moisturiser and before makeup.
- Use a coin-sized dollop of sunscreen on your face and neck.
- Use 6 to 8 teaspoons of sunscreen when covering the whole body.
- Apply sunscreen evenly across all exposed areas, including commonly missed spots like the ears, scalp, hands, and feet.
- Reapply sunscreen immediately after swimming, sweating or towel drying, even if using a water-resistant formula.
- Lightweight SPF lotions can make it easier to apply sunscreen to hard-to-reach areas like your back.
- Daily sunscreen use is important year-round, even on cloudy days, as UV rays can still penetrate through clouds.
When to apply sunscreen
Apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going outside to allow the formula time to settle onto the skin. SPF should always be reapplied regularly throughout the day, roughly every 2 hours, to help maintain protection levels.
“Protecting your skin from the sun every day (come rain or shine) is crucial in order to prevent ageing. Pair our antioxidant Vitamin C-enriched serum with your sunscreen to help protect skin cells from damaging free radicals as well as helping reduce the appearance of lines.” – Muzne Mohammed, skincare expert at Kiehl’s Broadgate
Going swimming or doing exercise outdoors? Be sure to reapply sunscreen more often, even if your sun creams are sweat and water-resistant.
At Kiehl’s, our SPF products are designed to be applied as the last step in your skincare routine for optimal effectiveness, so apply after cleansing and moisturising.
Wearing makeup? Apply your sunscreen and then wait 10 minutes for it to absorb before applying your foundation and other makeup.
How much sunscreen to use
When thinking about how much sun cream to use, it’s important to note that different body parts will require different amounts.
How much sunscreen to use on face
When applying sunscreen to your face and neck, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends using a coin-sized dollop of product to ensure adequate coverage.
SPF should form an even protective layer across the skin, so apply generously rather than rubbing it in too thinly. Don’t forget commonly missed areas like the ears, hairline and neck!
How much sunscreen to use on body
If you’re at the beach and covering larger exposed areas like the legs, torso and back, the NHS recommends adults should apply up to 6 to 8 teaspoons of sunscreen to cover the body.
Smooth the sun cream evenly across the skin to create a consistent protective barrier, paying extra attention to areas that receive direct sun exposure, such as the shoulders and chest.
How to apply sunscreen properly
When applying sunscreen, coverage is key. You should apply sun cream evenly across all exposed areas of skin, including your face, shoulders, chest, arms, legs and back. Protruding areas such as the shoulders, chest and nose may need a little extra attention, as they are always in direct sunlight.
Plus, don’t forget these commonly missed areas:
- Ears
- Back of neck
- Scalp
- Hands
- Feet
Let’s have a look at how to apply sun cream correctly across different body areas:
How to apply sunscreen on face
When learning how to apply sunscreen on your face properly, consistency matters just as much as quantity.
Step 1: Cleanse your face – First, wash your face to ensure you’re applying sunscreen to a clean canvas. Apply toner, serum, and moisturiser as part of your usual skincare routine.
Step 2: Use 1-2 pumps of sunscreen – You need a coin-sized dollop of sunscreen to cover your face properly. Pump into your palm and then gently dab across your face.
Want skincare and SPF rolled up in one? Try Better Screen™ UV Serum Sunscreen, a lightweight SPF serum with Collagen Peptide Fragments specifically formulated to protect against UV damage while helping correct the early signs of ageing.
Step 3: Apply sunscreen to your face – Spread the sunscreen evenly across your face, be especially careful not to miss your ears, hairline, nose, neck, and under-eye area.
How to put sunscreen on your own back
Your back is one of the easiest places to miss when applying SPF. If you’re wondering how to put sun lotion on your own back, there are a few simple ways to make application easier:
Step 1: Choose your SPF format – Sun creams come in many formats, from sprays to creams. Lightweight lotions like our Better Screen™ UV Serum Sunscreen are easier to apply on your back than thicker formulas.
Step 2: Apply sunscreen to your back – Use the back of your forearm or broad circular motions to spread the sunscreen evenly across the shoulders, upper and lower back. Pay extra attention to commonly missed areas like the back of the neck and shoulders, which receive high sun exposure.
Step 3: Let sunscreen absorb and reapply regularly – Allow your sunscreen a few minutes to fully absorb before sun exposure or going into the water. Reapply every two hours, and immediately after swimming, sweating or towel drying to help maintain protection.
How often should you reapply sunscreen?
The NHS generally recommends reapplying SPF every 2 hours during sun exposure. You should also reapply immediately after swimming, excessive sweating or towel drying, even if using a water-resistant sunscreen.
Daily sunscreen reapplication is especially important during:
- Beach days
- Outdoor exercise
- Hot weather
- Ski holidays
- Long periods outdoors
Even on cloudy days, UV rays can still penetrate through clouds, so consistent SPF use remains essential year-round.
Shop Kiehl’s sun care range to find your favourite SPF
| Body Area | How To Apply Sunscreen | Recommended Amount | Commonly Missed Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face & Head | Apply sunscreen evenly across the face, neck and scalp as the final step in your skincare routine | Coin-sized dollop | Hairline, ears, scalp parting, under-eye area, neck |
| Arms & Hands | Smooth sunscreen evenly across the arms and hands using broad strokes | 1-2 teaspoons per arm | Wrists, elbows, backs of hands |
| Chest & Shoulders | Apply generously across the chest and shoulders, paying extra attention to areas exposed to direct sunlight | 1-2 teaspoons | Collarbone area, tops of shoulders |
| Legs & Feet | Spread sunscreen evenly across the legs and feet before sun exposure | 2-3 teaspoons per leg | Ankles, behind knees, tops of feet |
| Back | Use broad circular motions or a lightweight spray/lotion to cover the upper and lower back evenly | 2-3 teaspoons | Back of neck, shoulders, lower back |
