Many people get sunburned in summer and then hunt online for the best treatments. But burning is largely avoidable. Even if you’re careful with sunscreen, it can still happen — but with a bit of attention you can prevent most sunburns. Remember: just one bad burn every two years can triple your risk of melanoma. That’s reason enough to take a few simple steps to protect your skin. Here’s what you should know:
1. How much sunscreen to apply
A common mistake is not using enough sunscreen. For an average adult, aim for at least six full teaspoons to cover your whole body. Rubbing a few small dots on your arms and face isn’t enough. If you don’t apply enough, the effective SPF is much lower than the label — SPF30 can act more like SPF5 or SPF10. So apply sunscreen generously.
2. Forgetting parts of the body
People often miss spots when putting on sunscreen. Stand in front of a mirror and don’t skip areas like the neck, back of the neck, ears, nose, around the eyes, the backs of your arms, lips (use an SPF lip balm), feet (if you wear flip-flops), and the backs of your legs. Ask someone to apply sunscreen to your back when you’re in swimwear, and be sure they cover where your skin meets your swimsuit.
3. Staying in the strongest sun
No sunscreen gives 100% protection. SPF30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays; SPF45 about 98%. Higher SPFs block a little more, but not everything. Try to avoid the strongest sun between 11 am and 4 pm, when UVB rays are at their peak. You can burn much faster during these hours, even with sunscreen.
4. Re-applying
It’s easy to forget to re-apply sunscreen while you’re having fun, but it’s important. Re-apply at least every two hours and after swimming. Even “waterproof” sunscreens can wash off a bit, and towelling, sitting, or rubbing can remove some product. Keep reapplying as needed.
5. Staying in the shade
Shade helps, but it’s not full protection. UV rays can reflect off sand, concrete and water and reach your skin even under a tree or umbrella. Don’t rely on shade alone — use sunscreen too.
6. Forgetting about clothing
Covering up works. Tightly woven fabrics and darker colors block more UV rays than loose or light-colored fabrics. If you burn easily, wear long sleeves, a hat, and choose darker, tightly woven clothes for better protection.
7. Buying poor-quality sunscreen
Not all sunscreens deliver what they promise. A 2016 Consumer Reports study found many sunscreens fell short of their SPF claims. Choose trusted brands and check reviews or lab tests when you can. If you prefer to avoid certain chemicals, look for reputable natural options — some brands like Green People are a popular choice.
8. Thinking you can’t get burnt in the car or through a window
You can still get sun damage through glass. If you spend a lot of time driving or sitting by a window, UV rays can reach your skin. Use sunscreen in the car or at your desk when UV levels are high.
9. When it’s cloudy…
Cloudy days can be deceptive. UV radiation doesn’t disappear with clouds, so you can still burn. Apply sunscreen even on overcast days.
10. Using sunscreen past its use-by period
Sunscreen breaks down over time after opening. Check the bottle for the open-jar symbol with a number (like “12M” or “6M”) — that tells you how many months it’s good for after opening. Once it’s past that, it won’t protect you as well. Buying a fresh bottle each year is a simple way to stay protected.
Those are some of the most common mistakes people make when trying to avoid sunburn. Have you made any of these errors? Are you taking the steps you need to protect your skin?