Skincare habits that undermine sun protection

Common skincare habits can undermine the effectiveness of a protective routine. Key mistakes include using insufficient amounts of sunscreen, relying solely on the SPF number, and neglecting sun protection while driving.

To ensure adequate protection, the Cancer Council recommends applying one full teaspoon of sunscreen to the face, neck, and ears, and reapplying every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating. While indoor use is generally considered unnecessary, independent testing in 2025 indicated that some popular SPF 50 products did not meet their labeled standards, reinforcing the need for proper application and quantity.

Other ineffective habits include over-cleansing irritated skin, layering too many active ingredients, applying products in an order that cancels out their benefits, and sleeping in makeup.