How Often To Reapply Sunscreen & Stay Protected

Luckily, a lot of people know the importance of applying sunscreen daily, however, did you know you need to reapply, and sometimes even more than once? 

 

How Often Should I Reapply?

According to Hopkins Medicine, “Generally, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating. If you work indoors and sit away from windows, you may not need a second application.”

 

This means if you’re on vacation in a sunny place, swimming to keep cool or you have an amazing at-home/in-person office view, you need to reapply your sunscreen to provide continuous protection for your skin.

 

Not only do you need to reapply, but you also need to know which level of SPF to apply depending upon your activities. 

 

 

Reapplying Sunscreen Indoors

If you’re going to be indoors, the only time you should be reapplying sunscreen is if you’ve been sweating or the sun has been shining on you all day through the window.

 

You should also reapply if you’ve been driving and the sun has been shining on you for a while, so keep that in mind for road trips or long drives to work! In this case, reapplying your SPF 30 would be more than enough.

 

 

Reapplying Sunscreen Outdoors

Even if you’re just taking your dog for a nice walk or maybe you’re just working on the patio and enjoying the weather, it’s best to reapply.

 

If you’re going to be outside for a longer period, you may want to use SPF 45 or higher for maximum protection.

 

 

How to Reapply After Sunscreen Swimming or Exercising

After you’ve gone swimming or had a great workout in the gym, you need to reapply sunscreen. Even though some sunscreens are water-resistant, it’s best to reapply to gain full coverage and protection.

 

Be mindful that if you’re swimming outside and are taking in a lot of direct suns, you should be using higher SPF protection – SPF 50 or higher and reapplying every two hours.

 

 

Should You Reapply in the Winter or on Cloudy/Rain Days?

Yes, the same rules apply year round! UVA rays are around year-round and are harmful to the skin, so if it’s a sunny winter day, you need to reapply. If it’s a cloudy or rainy day and you’re inside for the most part, once should be enough unless you’re sweating a lot or you’re going swimming. 

 

Hopefully, this helps you figure out how often you should be reapplying depending on your daily routine or you’re out of the ordinary activities. Just make sure you’re reapplying the way you should to protect that melanin!

 

 

Sunscreen and Your Morning Routine

First, refresh yourself on the types of sunscreens (chemical vs. mineral), and how much SPF you need depending on what you have planned.

 

FYI – It’s common to apply sunscreen after your moisturizer when doing your daily skincare routine, just try to make sure you allow for your moisturizer to dry a bit. Remember to apply sunscreen about 15 minutes before exposure.

 

• Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 is great for your daily routine, like going to work (without direct sunlight), and kind of just staying indoors for most of the day. If you’re going to be inside and/or away from the sun, reapplication is not necessary.

 

• Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Matte™ SPF 45 Sunscreen is for when you’ll be exposed to a moderate amount of sunlight, but you won’t be in the sun all day long or for an extended period. Reapplication is probably a good idea.

 

• Black Girl Sunscreen Make it Hybrid™ SPF 50 is a lightweight mineral and synthetic formula with zinc-oxide is designed to protect against sun damage leaving no white residue and a dewy finish.

 

• BGS Kids SPF 50 Sunscreen is for days when the kids will be in direct sunlight or exposed to it for an extended period. Reapplying sunscreen every two hours until they’re indoors or away from direct sunlight is necessary to protect your child’s skin.

 

• *Bonus* Make It Pop™ Sun Gloss – A revolutionary sun gloss for protected, glossy, and poppin’ lips. Formulated with Broad Spectrum SPF 50, hyaluronic acid, tripeptides, and jojoba. This sun gloss will make you feel good and look good while protecting your lips from the sun.