Fashion

Here's How Often You Need To Reapply Sunscreen

by Sienna Fantozzi

Feb. 22, 2016

The cardinal rule of skincare is to always wear sunscreen. You know that, so you might feel like you're doing your duty by applying it in the morning before you head out the door — but that might not be enough. If you're wondering how often you need to reapply sunscreen, then be prepared to carry some with you when you're out and about all day.

Sunscreen is crucial for saving your skin from sun damage, skin cancer, and premature aging, but a one-time application just isn't going to cut it. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, not only do you need to apply sunscreen every single day, even if it's cloudy, but you also need to apply it more than once a day, so you're going to want to have a bottle handy in your bag if you're running around and won't be home for a while.

So what's the rule of thumb? You generally want to apply sunscreen every two hours, however, if you're working out and sweating, or you go swimming or take a shower, then you'll need to reapply it sooner, after your skin dries.

Frequent reapplication takes some commitment, but your skin will definitely thank you. If you don't want to carry a big bottle around all day, here are some mini sunscreens to shop that will help you stick to the two hour reapplication.