Insufficient dosage
Dr. Akanksha Singh Cornuit - cosmetic doctor and founder of Promed Aesthetics Center (Bangalore, India) - said that many people do not apply enough sunscreen, using only a pea-sized amount and thinking that is enough.
Therefore, Dr. Akanksha Singh Cornuit recommends that you use about three fingers' worth of product and apply it evenly on your face, neck, and ears.
“People also skip certain areas of the body. They apply sunscreen to flatter areas like the forehead and cheeks, but ignore the contours of the face and the nose. This skipping can lead to redness and peeling on the nose,” says Dr. Akanksha Singh Cornuit.
SPF 30 sunscreen is not enough
According to Ms Cornuit, people have the misconception that SPF 30 sunscreen (according to international standards, 1 SPF is able to protect the skin and limit the harmful effects of UV rays for about 10 minutes) is enough. However, when dealing with the harsh sunlight in hot regions for a long time, no cream below SPF 50 can help your skin.
“Always choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA, UVB, and blue light. Even if you’re indoors, prolonged exposure to electronic screens can cause significant long-term damage,” says Dr. Cornuit.
Sharing the same opinion, Dr. Kusumika Kanak - dermatologist at Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Pune (India) advised that the effectiveness of sunscreen will gradually decrease over time, so using expired products can reduce the ability to protect the skin.
You should still wear sunscreen on cloudy days to protect your skin from potential damage. UV rays can still penetrate clouds even when the weather is overcast or mild.
In particular, dermatologists warn against diluting sunscreen by mixing it with moisturizers or other skin creams. This will reduce the effectiveness of the product, leading to reduced sun protection.
