Sunscreen
Do men really need sunscreen every day?
Short answer: yes, even on cloudy days and office days. Here’s how to make it painless.
Why every day
Ultraviolet (UV) light reaches you on cloudy days and through car and office windows. Over years, that everyday exposure adds up to sunburn risk, dark spots, rough texture, wrinkles and a higher risk of skin cancer, which is the most common cancer in the United States. Daily sunscreen is the simplest way to cut that exposure down.
What to look for
- Broad Spectrum. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
- SPF 30 or higher. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends at least SPF 30.
- Water-resistant (40 or 80 minutes) if you sweat or swim.
- A texture you’ll actually wear: a gel or matte fluid for oily skin, a moisturizing lotion for dry skin.
How much, and how often
Most people use too little. For face and neck, squeeze two lines of sunscreen along the length of your index and middle fingers. Apply it as the last step of your morning routine. Outdoors, reapply at least every 2 hours, and right after swimming or heavy sweating.
No white cast
Sunscreens use mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide), chemical filters, or both. Mineral formulas are often gentler on sensitive skin but can leave a pale tint, especially on deeper skin tones. Tinted mineral formulas, sheer fluids and many chemical-filter sunscreens dry clear. Test a little on your jawline in daylight before you commit.
Sunscreen and facial hair
Beards block some sun but not all of it, and the skin on your cheeks, nose, forehead and ears stays exposed. A light fluid, gel or stick spreads more easily through stubble than a thick cream. Work it in with your fingertips against the grain, then smooth it down.
Common excuses, answered
- “It feels greasy.” Try a gel or fluid labeled lightweight or matte.
- “My moisturizer has SPF.” That works only if you apply a full amount. Most people use far less moisturizer than they would sunscreen.
- “I’m inside all day.” Windows let UVA through. Put it on anyway; it takes thirty seconds.
Find the right sunscreen texture for your skin
Your routine card tells you which sunscreen to look for based on your skin and how much time you spend outside.
Take the skin quizThis guide is general information, not medical advice. If you notice a spot that changes, bleeds or won’t heal, see a doctor or dermatologist.