Tips to share: 3 tips to get more from your sunscreen

sunscreen tips

I am so pleased that my new order of the Marie Veronique Organics Moisturizing Face Screen SPF30 arrived within a week of my order! I haven’t kept a record but this could possibly be my 8th or 9th bottle. For those who don’t know, this is my daily sunscreen and today, I thought I’ll share with you, three tips I use to get more from this product. When I mean daily sunscreen, it’s really for casual sun protection and not for intense, prolonged sun exposure. Perhaps I can come up with something like “3 INTENSE tips to get more from your outdoor sunscreen” the next round. LOL.

Tip #1. Apply a 2nd layer at prominent areas
The rule of thumb for sunscreen dosage for the face is 1/4 to 1/3 of a teaspoon but it is not always easy to apply that much of sunscreen as many of you know. It really depends on the texture and consistency of your sunscreen. With MVO Moisturizing Face Screen, it can be a challenge as too much will make me look too white. So what I do is to apply a thin layer, followed by reapplying a second layer on my cheek area since that’s the area most prone to sun exposure.

Tip #2. Pat not rub
I usually apply my sunscreen by patting the lotion into my skin. I hardly rub it on and I also dab on my makeup over either with a sponge or a brush. The act of patting and dabbing ensure that I am not rubbing off my sunscreen.

Tip #3. Wait 10 mins before applying anything over
Because I’m using a mineral sunscreen containing zinc oxide, there’s really no need to wait because it’s effective as soon as I apply. If you’re using a chemical sunscreen, then you should wait a bit longer like 15 to 20 minutes before putting on your foundation or makeup because it takes that length of time for sunscreens to optimally distribute themselves within the stratum corneum (horny outer layer of the epidermis). But even though this does not apply for me, I still like to wait about 10 minutes for my sunscreen to settle on my skin before using makeup.

Although these are tips that work for the sunscreen I’m using, I believe it can be applied to other sunscreens which you are using too. In any case, I’ll certainly be happy to know if you have other tips to share on how your optimize your sunscreen for daily usage.

Comments

  1. Kay says:

    I’m using a non organic brand sunscreen, which has light coverage and can be applied over the eyes. I pour about 50cents size and spread on my palms before patting over the face and blending well. On those days I need to be under the sun for prolonged periods, I triple layered my sunscreen and I reapply with a colourless version of the sunscreen. So far so good! No stickiness or streaking.

  2. Alexandra says:

    I discovered ‘tip#2- Pat not rub’ through a Chinese show recently and have been applying in that way since and I absolutely agree with you on that method. ;P
    Alexandra last post is: Review: Aveda Shampure

  3. Swati says:

    hey Sesame…thanks for responding to the mail. i do not rub my sunscreen but i spread it using the fingers but i pat it in my eye area. should i pat it all over?? you use only ring finger or all the fingers?
    Swati last post is: Just Gossip Vol. 10 – Whats up?

  4. Miss Vinny says:

    Agreed, patting in your sunscreen is better. Rubbing it will only make it flake! Also, if your sunscreen dries very quickly, better to apply as quickly as possible.

    Btw, do you still use the Giovanni Golden Wheat Shampoo and are there any side effects? I’m considering this against the A’kin Unscented shampoo.

  5. The Scoop by Danielle says:

    I’ll have to look through your blog for a review of the sunscreen you mentioned in this post! I haven’t heard of it and I’m thinking of switching from another organic brand. My t-zone is oily and it’s hard for me to find a sunscreen that doesn’t make it worse, and i pretty much stay completely away from chemical sunscreens (they scare me). I’ll definitely try your technique before switching though!
    The Scoop by Danielle last post is: Beauty Scoop: Aloe Protective Restoring Mask

  6. Victoria says:

    When it comes to the sun, it is really important that we know the rules so we can protect our skin. Actually, I just rub my sunscreen all over my skin but after reading this article, I just realized that I’m applying it wrong. Change is not too late so thank you for this information.
    Victoria last post is: Can DermaTend Really Remove Skin Imperfections?

  7. Sesame says:

    Triple layer? Haha…sounds familiar. When I go under the sun for a swim or beach activities, I look quite a sight with suncreen overload.

  8. Sesame says:

    It’s really great and I found it makes even makeup look more natural.

  9. Sesame says:

    I don’t specifically apply sunscreen around my eys…more like whatever is left over is patted over the eye area. Reason is cos I find too much sunscreen around my eye area is drying.

  10. Sesame says:

    Yes, still using that shampoo. No side effects for me but note I can even use SLS shampoos. I think I prefer this shampoo over A’kin as it doesn’t wash out my hair color so soon.

  11. Sesame says:

    You’re welcome!

  12. Miss Vinny says:

    Oh yeah, well, I just bought it and hope it works out well. =)

  13. Sesame says:

    Ah…I’m into my 2nd bottle and have another one waiting for me.

  14. Holly B says:

    I keep hearing from my dermatologist and others that SPF30 is the recommended daily protection now. I use a 15 because I find that the 30 is too greasy. How does the Marie Veronique feel after applying? Thanks!

  15. Katie says:

    Holly, I’ve used this brand and I dont find it as greasy as some of the other “sunscreen type” brands out there. You should give it a try, I think you might just like it.

  16. Sesame says:

    @Holly B: Marie Veronique feels great…not greasy like what Katie mentioned. And SPF30 is recommended because we usually don’t apply enough to get the stated SPF. So when you apply a dollop of SPF30, you might just end up with SPF15 protection. And if you use SPF15, then you might end up with much lower protection.

  17. joanne says:

    Hi Sesame,
    Maybe you can recommend me a good high SPF sunscreen that is not oily and more importantly, not tested on animals. I have a lot of problems getting one in the local drugstores. Thanks!

  18. poonam says:

    can you please suggest some sunscreen or Diy sunscreen for kids

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