Hey guys, if you didn't notice... it's hot outside! And that means SPF is a must. Only, it turns out, according to the NHS, that plenty of us have actually been applying our suncream all wrong! And missing out a vital step of the two-step formula (yes, people, there are two steps to applying suncream).
While you may already know that it's best to apply sunscreen around 20 to 30 minutes before you step out, in order to give it time to dry and properly bind to the skin/absorb in order to offer protection, the NHS is advising that we also slap some more on right before exiting the front door.
To recap: 1) Apply 20 to 30 minutes before going out, 2) Apply a further layer again immediately before going out.
As for why that second layer is a non-skip, the idea is that once your base layer has absorbed, this second top layer can act as a buffer for when you start walking around and your clothes begin to rub (potentially causing some SPF to leave your skin, reducing how effective it is and in turn leaving you vulnerable to burns).
Plus, experts say, that second layer helps to ensure there are no missed bits that might turn pink in the sunshine, creating a uniform level of coverage.
Happy sunning, people!
