If the tropics leaves you confused about just how often you should reapply sunscreen through the day, and like you sweat it off 10 minutes after walking out of the house, then keep reading.
Townsville skin cancer doctor Dr Phoebe Chisnall who works out of the North Queensland Skin Centre, said even indoor workers needed to be diligent in the north Australian sun, and pay attention to the UV number.
“The sweaty season means we should reapply more, and in fact, the recommendation is to reapply every two hours, or more often after excessive sweating or swimming,” she said.
“If you are heavily sweating then your sunscreen will lose coverage and therefore efficacy much more quickly.”
She said we should be applying the highest SPF possible. In Australia, that’s SPF 50+.
“SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and refers to the amount of time it takes for redness to appear on the skin,” she said.
“So, for example if it takes 10 minutes to burn unprotected, then using an SPF 50 will result in it taking 50 times longer, or 500 minutes to burn. This is theoretical of course, so the actual protection level will generally be lower in the real world if we are sweating.
“Additionally, most people apply too little sunscreen – it’s recommended to apply a teaspoon to the face, or 5ml, which is quite a lot.”
When it comes to leaving the house, Dr Phoebe said applying your SPF at least 20 minutes prior to exposure gives it time to create the proper barrier.
“I would definitely recommend daily SPF application, at least to the face, neck and decolletage, even for indoor workers given the UV index in the north is frequently three or above,” she said.
“If you have SPF in your makeup, it’s often not enough to provide adequate coverage, and often makeup with SPF isn’t registered with the TGA like sunscreens are so they aren’t held to the same standards.
“Outdoor workers should be applying sunscreen every two hours to exposed areas of skin, even if you wear hats and long clothing, as UV is reflected off surfaces and the ground.”
She also recommended an app called UV lens, which gives you a real time snapshot of the current SPF levels and protection recommendations for your location, anywhere in the world.
“Your sunscreen should ideally be 50+ and meet the Australian Standard set by the TGA,” she said.
“You can even search for your product on the TGA website to ensure it complies with Australian standards.”
And when it comes to picking the sunscreen that works for you, it could be a trial and error process to find the right one but will mean the difference between something you want to put on each morning, or not.
“The best sunscreen is the one that agrees with your skin and that you are able to apply daily,” she said
“People working outdoors who sweat heavily may find the mineral sunscreens such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide based, are less prone to ‘melting off’ in the heat.”
Some of our favourites:
- Go-To Nifty Fifty – if you don’t like the feeling of sunscreen on your skin, then this is for you. Nifty Fifty is an incredibly hydrating SPF and goes on just like a moisturiser. It’s non greasy, and is perfect for under makeup. It also comes in a mineral sunscreen and an ultra lightweight sunscreen.
- La Roche Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen – made for sensitive skin, it’s also non-greasy and non comedogenic, meaning it protects your skin without clogging pores. Bonus points for not stinging your eyes.
- Ultra Violette Supreme Screen 50+ Hydrating Skinscreen – scentless with a soft, creamy texture, it’s touted as a 3-in-1 being sunscreen, moisturiser and primer. It’s also suitable for all skin types.
- TBH Skincare Skin Shady 50+ – promising not to leave a white cast and in an oil-free formula, this sunscreen is perfect for sitting under makeup and is also suitable for oily and breakout prone skin.
- We Are Feel Good Inc Sensitive Sunscreen – Fragrance free and gentle on all skin, this is suitable for anyone with sensitive skin, expecting mums, children and babies over six months old. Its sheer finish doubles as the perfect primer under makeup.
March 27, 2025
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