If you’ve ever tried to slather sunscreen onto wet, wriggling children at a pool or tried to apply it to your own back, you can appreciate the appeal of spray sunscreen.
Sunscreen is one of our best defenses to protect skin from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreens of SPF 30 or higher to protect against both types of UV rays: ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB).
UV rays have different wavelengths and, therefore, affect skin differently, but both types can damage skin cells and increase the risk of skin cancer. The AAD estimates that one in five Americans will get skin cancer at some point in their lives.
However, while the spray versions might be more convenient, they do have some drawbacks compared to their lotion and cream counterparts.
“Spray sunscreens are better than no sunscreen at all, and I get the appeal, especially for kids or people on the go,” Hannah Kopelman, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist and hair surgeon, told Health. “But they absolutely require proper technique. If someone isn’t willing to take the time to rub it in and reapply, they’re better off using a lotion.”
Here are six mistakes dermatologists said people commonly make when using spray sunscreens—and what they should do instead to best protect their skin.
The minimum amount of sunscreen lotion adults need to cover exposed skin is one ounce, or enough to fill a shot glass. (More might be necessary, but not less.) Spray sunscreen can’t be measured similarly, so it’s harder to know if you’ve applied enough.
“I tell my patients to think of a golf ball–sized amount for each major body section, even with sprays,” Kopelman said.
The spray should visibly coat and glisten on the skin and then be rubbed in. Or, spray the sunscreen into your palms first, which will give you a better idea of how much you’re applying to each part of the body, Rachel Day, MD, FAAD, dermatologist and chief medical officer for Zest Health, told Health.
Sprays with mineral sunscreen—which, unlike chemical sunscreen, creates a barrier between your skin and UV rays—will also help you see how much sunscreen you use. “These often spray on thicker or white, which might take a bit more rubbing in, but that’s actually a good thing,” Day said. “The visible coverage helps you see exactly where you’ve applied, and where you haven’t.”
Make sure you’re spraying long enough and close enough to the skin, Kopelman said. Spray each area of the body for at least six seconds from just a few inches away, and then rub it in. “A quick mist from a foot away won’t give you the protection you need,” Kopelman said.
Spray sunscreen should be applied outdoors, not inside in an enclosed space (like a bathroom or in your car), especially if it’s an aerosol. The tiny particles can irritate the throat, nose, eyes, and lungs if sunscreen is sprayed in a place with little ventilation.
Spray sunscreen is a breeze to use, but if you try to put it on in the middle of the beach or on a moving boat, most of it will be gone with the wind, and you won’t actually get enough on your skin, Kristin Baird, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist and founder of Dermatology of the Rockies in Colorado, told Health.
Instead, pick an outdoor spot that isn’t windy or has some shelter, like on a porch or in a parking lot. You can spray it onto your hands first and then rub it on your skin. Another option? Stick with a lotion or cream for windy outings.
“It’s a true misconception that with spray sunscreen, you don’t have to get your hands messy,” Baird said.
The fact is, if you’re not rubbing the sunscreen in, you’re not using it correctly.
“Many people assume spraying it on is enough, but unless you physically spread it out, you’ll get uneven application and patchy protection,” Kopelman said. “Sunscreen needs a uniform layer to work effectively.”
Depending on the environment and how long you’ll be outdoors, one layer of spray sunscreen might not block enough UV rays by itself.
“Doubling up on sunscreen offers the best protection,” Day said. “Spray sunscreen can be great to throw in your beach bag for touch-ups or a quick spray on the go, but they are harder to make sure you’re totally covered because they often come out clear or apply unevenly. That’s why I lean towards lotions or creams if you’re going to be out all day in the sun, and sunscreen sticks for reapplication on the go.”
Even when Baird only uses spray sunscreen, she doesn’t rely on just one coat. “I usually spray, rub it in, spray again, and rub it in, just so I don’t have any missed areas,” she said.
The AAD recommends reapplying sunscreen every two hours or right after swimming or sweating. (Many sunscreens are water-resistant, but there’s no such thing as a truly waterproof sunscreen.)
And yes, this applies to products with SPFs higher than 30. High-SPF sunscreens can sometimes give people a false sense of security, but their protection still hinges on frequent application. “Once you start getting over SPF 50, the actual increase in protection is so minimal that it’s not making an actual difference in real-time,” Baird said.
If you have trouble remembering to reapply, set a timer on your phone to remind you every two hours.
That canister of sunscreen that’s still in your beach bag from last summer? Toss it. The active ingredients in sunscreen can degrade over time and become less effective at blocking UV rays.
High heat over long periods can also do that. When you come home from a day outdoors, bring your sunscreen inside with you instead of keeping it in your car.
“They do tend to lose their potency, so I think it’s a good practice to get in the habit of, new season or new trip, new sunscreen,” Baird said.
