Sunscreen 101: How To Use Sunscreen Correctly For Healthy Skin

If there’s one skincare product people love to skip, misunderstand, or use incorrectly, it’s sunscreen.
And honestly? You’re not alone.

For years, I thought sunscreen was only needed on beach days or during harsh summers. But the truth is—sunscreen is the most important step in your skincare routine, no matter your skin type, age, or lifestyle.

Let’s break it down simply.

What Exactly Is Sunscreen?

Sunscreen is a protective layer that shields your skin from harmful UV rays coming from the sun. These rays don’t just cause tanning—they are responsible for:

Premature aging
Dark spots and pigmentation
Fine lines and wrinkles
Uneven skin tone
Long-term skin damage

Even on cloudy days. Even indoors. Even if you don’t step outside much.

Yes, that surprised me too.

Understanding UV Rays (Without the Science Overload)

There are mainly two types of UV rays that affect our skin:

UVA rays: These go deep into the skin and cause aging, wrinkles, and long-term damage.
UVB rays: These cause sunburn and visible tanning.

A broad-spectrum sunscreen protects your skin from both—and that’s exactly what you should be looking for.

What Does SPF Really Mean?

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor.
You’ll usually see numbers like SPF 30 or SPF 50 on sunscreen bottles.

Here’s what you need to know:

SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays
SPF 50 blocks about 98% of UVB rays

The difference is small, but for daily use, SPF 30 or SPF 50 is perfect. Anything below that doesn’t offer enough protection.

How to Use Sunscreen the Right Way

This is where most people go wrong.

Sunscreen should be:

The last step of your morning skincare routine
Applied after moisturizer
Used in the right quantity

For your face and neck, use the two-finger rule—squeeze sunscreen along your index and middle fingers. That’s how much your skin actually needs.

Apply it 15–20 minutes before stepping out and reapply every 2–3 hours if you’re outdoors.

Common Sunscreen Mistakes You Might Be Making

Let’s be honest—we’ve all done at least one of these:

Using a tiny dot of sunscreen
Skipping sunscreen on cloudy days
Not reapplying at all
Only using sunscreen when going out
Applying it before moisturizer

These small mistakes can cancel out all your skincare efforts.

Do All Skin Types Need Sunscreen?

Yes. Always.

Oily skin needs lightweight gel sunscreens
Dry skin benefits from cream-based formulas
Sensitive skin should look for fragrance-free options

Sunscreen doesn’t clog pores if you choose the right one. In fact, skipping sunscreen can worsen acne marks and pigmentation.

https://youtu.be/AAuZskG1S8Y

The Bottom Line

If you’re investing in serums, moisturizers, and treatments but skipping sunscreen, you’re only doing half the work.

Sunscreen is not about instant glow.
It’s about protecting the skin you’ll have five, ten, and twenty years from now.

Think of sunscreen as your daily skin insurance—quiet, consistent, and powerful.

If you’re just starting your skincare journey, start here. Your future skin will thank you.