Sunscreen is one of the most important steps in protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. But applying it once in the morning isn’t enough. To keep your skin fully protected, you need to reapply sunscreen regularly—especially if you’re spending time outdoors. In this article, we’ll explain how often you should reapply sunscreen and why it matters for your skin’s health.
Why Reapplying Sunscreen Is Important
Sunscreen creates a protective layer on your skin that blocks or absorbs UV rays. Over time, this layer breaks down due to sweating, swimming, rubbing, or even natural skin oils. When that happens, your protection weakens and your skin becomes more vulnerable to sunburn, premature aging, and even skin cancer.
To maintain strong protection, you need to reapply sunscreen regularly throughout the day—especially if you’re active or spending time in the sun.
How Often Should You Reapply Sunscreen?
As a general rule, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours. This applies whether you’re using a chemical or physical sunscreen.
But certain situations call for more frequent application:
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After swimming or sweating: Reapply immediately, even if the sunscreen is water-resistant.
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After towel drying: Rubbing your skin with a towel can wipe off sunscreen.
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If you’re spending all day outdoors: Apply more often for extra protection.
For example, if you’re at the beach, hiking, or playing sports, you may need to reapply every hour.
How Much Sunscreen Should You Use?
Applying the right amount of sunscreen is just as important as how often you apply it.
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For your face, use about a teaspoon.
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For your entire body, use about a shot glass (one ounce) of sunscreen.
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Don’t forget commonly missed spots like your ears, neck, back of hands, and feet.
If you’re using a spray sunscreen, make sure to apply an even layer and rub it in for full coverage.
What If You’re Wearing Makeup?
If you’re wearing makeup, reapplying sunscreen can be tricky—but it’s still necessary. Here are a few tips:
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Use a sunscreen setting spray or powder designed for reapplication over makeup.
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Apply a tinted sunscreen as a touch-up throughout the day.
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Use a makeup sponge to gently dab liquid sunscreen over makeup without smudging.
These methods let you stay protected without ruining your look.
What About Cloudy or Indoor Days?
You should still reapply sunscreen even on cloudy days. Up to 80% of UV rays can pass through clouds. If you’re indoors but sitting near windows or screens, broad-spectrum sunscreen protects you from UVA rays and blue light exposure that can damage your skin over time.
If you’re indoors all day and away from windows, reapplying may not be as necessary. But for most people, it’s better to be safe and keep the habit going.
Use Water-Resistant Sunscreen When Needed
If you’re swimming, sweating, or at the beach, use water-resistant sunscreen labeled for 40 or 80 minutes. This tells you how long the sunscreen will last while you’re in the water before you need to reapply.
But remember: no sunscreen is completely waterproof. Always reapply after getting wet.
Final Thoughts
To protect your skin and keep it healthy, reapply sunscreen every two hours—and more often if you’re swimming, sweating, or toweling off. Use the right amount, cover all exposed areas, and choose products that fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, rain or shine, keeping up with sunscreen reapplication is one of the best habits you can build for long-term skin health.
