As summer starts to wrap up, many people start packing away their swimsuits, beach towels, and, in some cases, their sunscreen. As a Senior Chemist at the Good Housekeeping Beauty Lab, that’s one seasonal habit that still surprises me. After years of evaluating sunscreens and studying how consumers use them, I’ve learned that while we’ve come a long way with sun protection, not everyone thinks of sunscreen as an everyday essential.
The good news? We’re moving in the right direction. In a recent Good Housekeeping survey of 1,711 people, 63% said they use sunscreen on their face daily, compared with 58% when we asked the same question five years ago. But that still leaves plenty of room for improvement. So, consider this my end-of-summer PSA: UV exposure and the skin damage it can cause doesn’t end when summer does.
Ahead, I’ll share what we’ve learned from our Beauty Lab sunscreen studies of over a decade, along with advice from a dermatologist about why sunscreen deserves a place in your skincare routine and what to look for in an everyday formula.
Why you need sunscreen year-round
Every single day, the sun emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can damage skin. Although UVB rays, which primarily cause sunburn, become less intense during winter months, the risk of sun damage and skin cancer does not disappear.
"UVA, the wavelength most responsible for photoaging, collagen breakdown, and pigment change, barely changes across the seasons," says Aderonke Obayomi, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. "It also passes through clouds and window glass, so an overcast January afternoon or a desk next to a sunny window still counts as exposure."
These everyday small exposures can add up. “The 10 minutes walking to the train or the 20-minute commute in the sun, they all count," says Dr. Obayomi. "Those small doses add up over decades."
This can be particularly important if you're trying to address dark spots or uneven skin tone. Dr. Obayomi says patients managing melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or dark spots may stop using sunscreen in the fall, only to be frustrated months later that their discoloration hasn't faded. "Sunscreen is what protects the results of everything else in your skincare routine," she says.
As a Beauty Lab chemist, I consider sunscreen one of the most important anti-aging products in any skincare routine. It helps protect against the UV damage that contributes to visible signs of aging all year long.
What to look for in an everyday sunscreen
For daily use, the Good Housekeeping Beauty Lab recommends choosing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 for the face. If you regularly spend extended time outdoors including swimming or doing a sweaty workout, opt for SPF 50 for the face and body and choose a formula labeled “water resistant.”
After testing hundreds of sunscreens in the Beauty Lab over the years, we’ve learned that the best sunscreen is one you enjoy using. Dr. Obayomi agrees: Look for SPF 30 or higher, broad-spectrum protection, and “a texture the person will genuinely reach for every morning.”
Whether that’s a lightweight lotion or a rich cream, finding a formula that feels good on your skin makes it easier to make sunscreen an everyday habit.
How to use it effectively
In our Beauty Lab studies, we know that consumers don’t apply enough sunscreen to achieve the level of protection stated on the label. In fact, they apply only about one-third of the amount needed to achieve the SPF listed on the label.
For everyday use, apply a nickel-sized amount of sunscreen to your face as the final step in your morning skincare routine, before makeup.
For the body, apply one ounce or about a shot glass full of sunscreen 15 minutes before going outdoors. If you spend extended time outside, reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating.
As Dr. Obayomi puts it, “The amount stays the same but the reapplication rhythm is what changes.”
The bottom line
The one takeaway I want consumers to remember is that sunscreen isn’t just for the summer days; it should be part of everyone’s morning routine.
Dr. Obayomi adds one simple rule: “Consistency beats optimization.” The sunscreen you’ll reach for every morning will do more to protect your skin than one you never use.
