Two Finger Sunscreen Method
Our golden skincare rule
We are sure that by now you are aware of the importance of wearing sunscreen daily, no matter what the weather. It is widely known that UV rays can cause damage to the skin, even though the sun is not necessarily shining high in the sky on overcast days. But how do you know you are using the right amount of sunscreen to sufficiently protect your skin from these damaging rays? Research has found that users are only applying around 20-25% of the required amount of sunscreen to provide the protection stated on the product.
Sun Damage
To fully get sufficient protection from the sun, an adequate amount needs to be applied to the skin, otherwise the actual protection it will provide is lower than stated and you may not realize, leading to potential skin damage. But what exactly does this “sun damage” mean?
Wearing sunscreen daily is beneficial for your skin for many reasons. Firstly, one of the most obvious benefits is protection against UV rays. This means protecting your skin from sunburn and skin cancer, but also protecting it from the other types of damage such as photo-aging - meaning fine lines and wrinkles - dark spots, and skin inflammation.
Purchasing a good quality sunscreen is definitely something that should be a top priority for everyone’s skincare routine. And not only is having a good quality, high SPF sunscreen (between 30-50) important, but the amount that you apply is important as well. This is where the “Two Finger Method” comes into play.
Two Finger Method
The two finger method is a straightforward and foolproof method to getting the correct amount of sunscreen you need to apply for adequate protection.
The method involves applying two lines of sunscreen directly onto your index and middle fingers first, starting from the base of the fingers which connects to the palm, until the very tips. Then you use this to apply to your face and neck. With this amount, you are sure to be protecting your skin.
After applying sunscreen to your face and neck, remember to cover all parts of the skin that are exposed to the sun, such as the ears, shoulders, and chest as well. It is also important to remember to reapply, as the efficacy of the sunscreen applied will drop after coming in contact with sweat or oils on the skin, especially if you are outside. Reapplying every 2 hours is a good amount to ensure that you are adequately protected throughout the day.