UV Stickers Are the Must-Have Beauty Product for Your Next Beach Trip
The secret to great skin is great SPF. Because, in case you missed it, sun damage is the number one cause of premature signs of aging—not to mention that prolonged exposure to the sun without the proper protection can put us at a higher risk for skin cancer. But there’s good news: You can do your part in protecting your skin by wearing SPF daily. Yes, daily.
We consider ourselves pretty good SPF-rule followers. We’re educated on the different types (chemical vs. physical), and we know how much we should be using on our faces and necks because of the popular tablespoon rule (more on that below). Yet, we’ve still had our fair share of mild burns from falling asleep on the beach and simply forgetting to reapply—guilty!
But we think we may have found the secret to leveling up our SPF game and avoiding mild burns: UV stickers. And they’re as simple as they sound, because these stickers are as small as pimple patches and they alert you when it’s time to reapply your SPF.
Meet the Expert
Rachel Maiman, MD, is a board-certified cosmetic and general dermatologist based in New York City at Marmur Medical.
How Often Do I Need to Reapply SPF?
For our face and neck, we’re told that about a tablespoon’s worth of SPF is enough to cover both areas. For our entire body, Dr. Maiman says we need to “apply enough sunscreen to cover all skin that clothing will not cover. Most adults need about one ounce—or enough to fill a shot glass—to fully cover their body”.
You’ll want to wait about 15 minutes after application before going out in direct sunlight. After that, reapplying SPF about every two hours is ideal. However, if you’re swimming, you’ll want to reapply every time you come out of the water, depending on whether your SPF is water-resistant or not.
If I Use a Higher SPF, Will I Have to Reapply Less?
Dr. Maiman urges that high-number SPFs last the same amount of time as low-number SPFs. That’s right: Just because you’re using a high-SPF sunscreen, it doesn’t mean you can spend additional time in direct sun exposure without reapplying. Ideally, your sunscreen choice should offer broad-spectrum (aka both UVA and UVB) protection and should be water-resistant if you’re planning on being active at the beach or pool.
“I recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97% of the sun's UVB rays. Higher-number SPFs block slightly more of the sun's UVB rays, but no sunscreen can block 100% of the sun's UVB rays,” says Dr. Maiman.
How Do UV Stickers Work?
“People rarely apply the amount of sunscreen used in the studies done to generate SPF ratings, so there’s an advantage of selecting a sunscreen with an SPF of 50+ over one with an SPF of 30. The former will probably result in a true SPF of closer to 30, whereas the latter may be producing an SPF closer to 15,” says Dr. Maiman.
If you need a reminder about when it’s time to slather on your SPF again, that’s where UV stickers come in. They’re one of the best added sun-protection measures, most are water resistant, and super easy to use—all you need to do is place one on your skin.
Here’s how it works: Stick one on your skin (we like applying them on our arms), then cover it with your SPF, lathering until you notice that the sticker turns clear. You’ll know when it’s time to reapply your SPF, as the sticker will turn a bright color to alert you.
Some of our favorite UV stickers to try are from SPOT MY UV ($14.99 for 16 stickers) and KINLÒ ($5.99 for 10 stickers).
8 Sunscreens We Love For Everyday Use:
Your sunscreen needs to excite you so much that you look forward to putting it on (that way you’ll never forget to!). Check out our favorite picks for everyday sun protection.
1. MD SOLARSCIENCES Solar Stick SPF 40
This stick sunscreen is so easy to use for touching up spots on your face and shoulders that we recommend throwing it in your bag for an on-the-go application. It’s SPF 40 and ideal for all skin types, even oily—and it’s water-resistant to boot.
2. TOWER 28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation
If you’re a makeup wearer, this tinted SPF gives the perfect matte coverage without drying out your skin. It’s light, buildable, and flattering for all skin types and tones. Bonus: This SPF has a National Eczema Association seal of approval, so it’s safe for even the most sensitive of skin types.
3. COLORSCIENCE Sunforgettable® Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50
This powder formula offers a light wash of color as you use the brush to glide it on, and it’s a must-have product for touch-ups and reapplying since it won’t disturb any makeup you’re already wearing. Pro tip: Swipe it on your scalp for sun protection where your hair parts.
4. SUNDAY RILEY Light Hearted SPF 30 Sunscreen
As the name suggests, this formula from SUNDAY RILEY is lightweight on the skin, and it can be used alone or under makeup for a priming and smoothing effect. It even has natural blue-light blocking protection thanks to turmeric extract and xanthophyll.
5. EVERYDAY HUMANS Resting Beach Face SPF30 Sunscreen Serum
Have you ever tried a SPF serum? If not, this formula is about to blow your mind. This best-selling SPF from EVERYDAY HUMANS is incredibly fluid in consistency and super hydrating on all skin types thanks to hyaluronic acid, green tea extract, and spinach. This is the very definition of an SPF that you’ll be excited to reach for every day.
6. THE ORGANIC PHARMACY Cellular Protection Sunscreen SPF 50
Many claim this is a hidden gem within the world of SPF offerings, and we’d have to agree. It blends into skin easily, is full of antioxidant-packed ingredients, and is incredibly hydrating with shea butter. If your skin runs a bit more on the drier side, this formula is an ideal addition to your skincare routine.
7. LOVE SUN BODY Sheer Perfection Mineral Body Sunscreen
This is a great fragrance-free option for those who have sensitive skin. It has a soft, fluid formula that will feel like your favorite moisturizer because of the addition of hydrating jojoba esters, glycerin, and vitamin E.
8. PETER THOMAS ROTH Max Clear Invisible Priming Sunscreen
Despise the dreaded white cast that some sunscreens leave behind? Try this clear sunscreen that swipes onto skin like a hydrating gel and leaves behind a velvety-smooth finish. It even looks great under makeup, as it acts like a pore-blurring primer.
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