The right way to apply sunscreen

People typically make three mistakes when applying sunscreen:

The sunscreen is not right for their skin type

They do not use enough sunscreen

Body parts are left out

Which sunscreen is the right one?

Our skin can only protect itself from the sun's rays for a few minutes. This intrinsic protection time varies from person to person. There are six different skin types:

	Skin colour	Hair colour	Eye colour	Intrinsic protection time
Typ 1	very light, often with freckles	reddish to reddish-blonde	blue or grey	10 minutes
Typ 2	light, often with freckles	blonde to brown	all colours	20 minutes
Typ 3	light to light brown	dark blonde to brown	grey or brown	30 minutes
Typ 4	light brown or olive	dark brown	brown to dark brown	50 minutes
Typ 5	dark brown	dark brown to black	dark brown	> 60 minutes
Typ 6	dark brown to black	black	dark brown	> 60 minutes

Before this intrinsic protection time is up, you should either get out of the sun or apply sunscreen. Your skin type is decisive when choosing the right sunscreen. Every sunscreen has a sun protection factor (SPF). Multiplied by your skin's intrinsic protection time, the SPF tells you how long (in minutes) the sunscreen will protect your skin.

Example: you have skin type 1 with an intrinsic protection time of up to 10 minutes, and you apply a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15. You are now protected for a maximum of 10 minutes x 15 = 150 minutes.

How do sunscreens work?

There are two protective mechanisms - one chemical, the other physical. Many sunscreens use a combination of both:

Chemical UV filters penetrate the skin and capture the sun's rays.

Physical UV filters consist of tiny particles that shield the skin from UV rays.

Sunscreens based on physical filters are more skin-friendly than products that offer chemical protection. However, they are not fully absorbed and leave a white layer on the skin.

How much sunscreen is enough?

Does one bottle of sunscreen last you all summer? If so, you are definitely not applying enough. An adult needs about 35 grammes (about a handful or 6 to 8 teaspoons) to protect their whole body. This means a standard-sized 200 ml bottle contains enough sunscreen for six applications.

Tip: there is no such thing as "too much" sunscreen. It is better to apply more sunscreen if you are not sure.

Don't forget any body parts

Face, shoulders, décolleté - we always remember these parts. But what about your parting? Or your lips? These areas are often forgotten:

the parting

the lips

the ears (also behind the ears)

the back of the arms

the skin close to the edges of your swimwear

the hands

the feet (including the soles)

App TK-Coach

Become fitter, get more active, eat better or plan more time for relaxation - just get fitter. Our app "TK-Coach" supports you.