Protection involves several measures
Sun protection includes different behaviours and tools: planning exposure times, seeking shade, covering the skin, protecting the eyes and applying sunscreen to uncovered areas. Relying on sunscreen alone overlooks issues ranging from insufficient quantity to removal by water and friction. These measures should be combined, rather than treated as equivalent alternatives.
Check the UV index for the location and day: protection is recommended from 3 upwards. Do not wait until you feel hot or see redness. Exposure can be substantial in the mountains, on snow, in water and on sand even when the temperature is comfortable. Shade under a beach umbrella does not eliminate scattered and reflected UV.
Sun protection concerns every phototype. Skin that tans easily responds differently to UV but is not immune to its effects. Skin phototypes help describe sensitivity; they do not justify automatically assigning very low SPF to more pigmented skin.
Adults: a workable routine
Before going out, choose UV-protective clothing and hats or suitable covering garments, and sunglasses with stated UV protection. For uncovered areas, use a broad-spectrum product with SPF at least 30 and water resistance if swimming or sweating is expected. Apply sunscreen evenly and generously as directed, rather than limiting it to the face.
The nose, cheekbones, ears, neck, backs of the hands, feet and sparsely covered scalp are often missed. Use an SPF lip product for the lips; around the eyes, avoid contact with the eye surface and follow the formulation’s instructions. A hat also helps people with thinning hair but does not replace protection elsewhere.
Reapply outdoors about every two hours and after swimming, heavy sweating or towelling, following the product instructions. This also applies to water-resistant sunscreen. After showering, reapply if returning outdoors: do not assume the morning application remains in place.
Children and infants
For children, plan play and breaks in shaded areas, limit exposure during periods of higher UV and use a hat, covering clothes and suitable sunglasses. Sunscreen does not make prolonged exposure acceptable. Choose an age-appropriate product with high or very high protection as advised by a paediatrician or dermatologist, in a formulation that can be applied properly.
Under six months, the priority is avoiding direct sunlight and using shade and clothing; ask a paediatrician before using sunscreen. Also protect against heat, maintaining ventilation and age-appropriate hydration. A pushchair covering that traps heat can create a different hazard from UV radiation.
For older children, pay particular attention to the face, shoulders, ears and areas uncovered by swimwear. Reapply after swimming and towelling. An emollient after exposure may improve skin comfort, but it does not cancel UV damage or treat significant sunburn. Seek medical advice for extensive blistering, systemic symptoms or sunburn in an infant.
Choosing SPF without false reassurance
Old tables assigning SPF 5, 10 or 15 according to eye, hair and skin colour are not an appropriate reference for this guide. General advice is at least SPF 30 with UVA/UVB coverage; SPF 50 or 50+ may be helpful in more sensitive or demanding circumstances, without permitting extra hours in sunlight.
There is no “total protection”. SPF describes performance measured under standardised conditions and cannot be converted into safe hours by multiplying it by the usual time before burning. See the sunscreens page for help choosing and reading a product correctly.
Photodermatoses, allergies, photosensitising treatments, previous skin cancers or immunosuppression may require an individual plan. Bring the names of products and medicines you use to your clinician. Do not stop treatment or replace prescribed protection solely on the basis of phototype.
Sources and update
- American Academy of Dermatology — Sunscreen FAQs
- WHO — Ultraviolet radiation
- FDA — Sunscreen: how to help protect your skin
- FDA — Should you put sunscreen on infants?
Editorial revision: 17 October 2026. Educational information that does not replace medical assessment.