2020 Edit: This was written in 2009 and is accurate as per 2009. Recent articles now suggest that for the face alone, 1/4 teaspoon of product is sufficient protection. 1 teaspoon would then cover approximately your face, neck and arms. My application method has also changed to approx 2-3 finger-lengths of sunscreen for application to the face.
When I last wrote about the proper way to apply moisturizer and how much moisturizer you really need, reader Sarah left a comment asking if I apply my sunscreen using the same method.
My answer is, “No, I do not use the same method to apply sunscreen.”
The reason is that the recommended amount of sunscreen or sunblock to use is about 1 teaspoon just for your face. How much is 1 teaspoon? Here’s a visual reference.
1 teaspoon is about 5ml by a measuring spoon. That is a lot of sunscreen – believe me! But you see, in the labs where sunscreen is tested, they use up to 2mg of sunscreen per sq inch of skin, so what we use in real life is really not quite enough. However, a teaspoon is a reasonable estimate to use. For the body, its 1 teaspoon each for each arm. Its really way thick so not even I can abide by this requirement.
Since I can’t possibly measure out a teaspoon of sunscreen every morning like baking a cake, what I do is squeeze out my sunscreen on my fingers and then apply to my skin, spreading as I go on my face.
I do this 5 times – 1 forehead, 2 cheeks, 1 nose, 1 chin. Its like the 5 dot method except I don’t dot my skin, I smoothen as I go and I use a lot more than just a dot. Let’s just say I use a pea sized amount on each part of my face.
And I do this 5 times, so that’s quite a lot of sunscreen! Its not quite 1 teaspoon I must admit but its a lot more than moisturizer. This is the reason why I go for cream based sunscreens – its easier to control and to estimate just how much sunscreen I’m applying on my skin. Its harder to estimate with liquid textures.
Some of you might wonder if by doing this and using so much sunscreen I get oily? I don’t. It might be that the sunscreen I use don’t make me oily, or that I have lovely oil control foundation and power or that I have been lucky enough to find sunscreen that work well for me. But this is how I apply all sunscreen, irrespective of brand.
Are you applying enough sunscreen? How do you apply your sunscreen and do you stint on it? Be careful if you are stinting because applying too little sunscreen is as good as not applying any!
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
p/s If you’re new here, you can read other sunscreen tips or my reviews on sunscreens or sunblocks I’ve tried by following the link.
Yeah, i gotta say that one teaspoon is really ALOT of sunscreen to slap on everyday!! :S
I do the same as you… the 5 dot method but not at the same time! I don’t apply quite a teaspoon, but i guess its quite alot! hahaha!! 😀
Hi Jenn
Yep! There is so much! I didn’t realize until I was measuring it out LOL… I don’t dot all 5 at the same time – I do the dot and blend method and yes I go through sunscreens quite quickly!
I am not applying enough of sunscreen! LOL thanks for this post!!!
Hiya Nikki
Time to step up the sunscreen use! 🙂
I apply 1.25ml, which is 1/4 tsp, for the face, as I read from a calcution method posted by a forumer, that this is enough for both face and front of neck.
The first time I apply, I squeeze down the length of my finger, and then scoop it up with a 1/4 tsp measuring spoon. So I see how many length of fingers I need to fill up that spoon. And subsequently, I just use my fingers, like you do.
Depending on my skin condition, I find that I absorb different amounts of sunscreen. On bad skin days, it seems that I just can’t apply as much, or I will break out even more. (I am sensitive to oil-filled products. And till now, I can’t find a sunscreen that works well but not oily. So my current one is a compromise on many factors.) So I will just use half the amount, and try my best to not be in the sun at all, use umbrella, walk in shades etc.
Hi Jyoan
Wow that’s hardworking of you to use a measuring spoon all the time! I don’t. I just use whatever feels comfortable which is quite a lot haha…
haha, nono. I am not hardworking. Very lazy person. What I meant was that I used the tsp to measure on the first time, and tally it with my middle finger (nothing bad, just chose it, cos it’s the longest). So now I know that two of my middle finger length = 1.25ml. So subsequently, I just use 2 lengths will do.
But just have to take note that different sunscreens have different opening diameters. So every time you change sunscreen, must measure, and tally the spoon with your finger length again.
hi dear, mind sharing the sunscreen brand u’re using? 😀
Hi ShaynaJo
I use many different brands. Currently, I’m using La Roche Porsay Anthelios XL, Vichy and Clinique. You can read my thoughts and reviews on sunscreens here if you click on the link.
Hi, have you tried Cellnique face sunblock before? I learnt that it contains zinc oxide and titanium oxide. Not sure if it is good.
May I know how much SPF we need to apply daily actually? =)
Hi Phy
No I haven’t tried Cellnique. I’m a little wary about zinc oxide since I seem to be a little sensitive to it. SPF is a matter of complex calculations. I personally use SPF50 no matter what anyone says 🙂
Recently I have done some experiments with my Cellnique Sunblock. My conclusion is I have pimples after using it. I wonder if it is the zinc oxide. It is pricey and now I am having heart-ache.Sigh…Maybe i shall try on Vichy huh? =( My pimples are still there..sad..sad…
Hi Phy
Its hard to say what might be the problem. Could be any number of ingredients in the mixture not just zinc oxide, unless you’ve tried other products with zinc oxide and find yourself still getting blocked pores. I don’t know how long you’ve been using it, but you could try stopping and see if the pimples go away – if they do and you change nothing else then its likely to be the sunblock
ok, I need to bump up my sunscreen amount as well! eeps!! I’m way under the recommended amount..
Hey Beetrice
Thats just what I read is sufficient. Apparently anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon is sufficient 🙂
mmm..I never measure how much I apply.. But normally I just apply a thin layer.. guess that’s not enough..>.<
Hi Jean
Well that’s what the experts say anyway LOL…
erkkss… you got me a little worried there since i’ve stopped using sunscreen due to sheer laziness. time to take out that unused tube!
Hi Juan
I can’t stress enough how important it is to use sunscreen. That said, its always a matter of personal preference. If your sunscreen tube is too old you might want to get a new one 🙂
I’m alternating between Clinelle UV Protection SPF 20 and H2O+ Urban Defence Lotion SPF 30. Both claim to have broad spectrum protection so I assume it must have at least PA+. Higher SPF breaks me out tho.
Even now, if I don’t wash (makeup remover + cleanser) the sunscreen after 4 hours, my pores get clogged. Sigh…the woes of having oily-combo skin.
Hi Irene
Well at least you have something that works for you anyway and if you feel its enough then it is 🙂
Good Lord that’s a lot of sunscreen. But come to think about it, I probably use that much (accumulatively) in the summer. Kiasi 😛
Hey Tine
LOL… its a visual reference of what people say should be used. But living in Australia, you can never use too much! 🙂
I agree with Jyoan, 1/4 tsp is enough for the face. I don’t follow strictly though unless I’m really heading out under the sun. On a daily basis for casual sun exposure, I just use an estimate, enough to make me happy but more than my moisturizer. My sunscreen is zinc oxide based, non-micronized…if I use too much, it’s going to make me look like a ghost! Heh.
Hi Sesame
Oh yeah thats the problem with zinc oxide based sunscreen 🙂 So its 1/4 tsp now and not 1tsp?
I do have a set of calculation / formula to calculate how much sunscreen do we need to use exactly in http://synaebloom.blogspot.com/2009/07/shu-uemura-protection-xtr-protector.html … every person has different sizes of face hence I believe not everybody needs the same amount of sunscreen… I’d learnt it from Queen show, just for a reference… For me, I know I need huge amount of sunscreen on my face everyday even though my face is not big… hahaha… but more is better than less… I have to admit, I’m on the lazy side, I don’t use the exact amount that I need daily… hahahaha…
Hi Synaesthesia
Thanks – I think the experts are just using a general rule of thumb since in labs sunscreens are tested using such high dosages to get the desired SPF protection.
I think I use that much just for my face, neck and chest, lol!
It DOES keep me well moisturized 😉
Hi Jamilla
LOL… Actually that amount is just right for both my arms hang what they say LOL
wow.
i never knew we needed so much sunscreen!
i doubt i’ll ever pile up so much on my face thou.
the thought of it sort of eekkw me out.
hmm. maybe i would have to rethink this. hahaha
Hi Lynn
Well thats what the recommended amount of 1 tsp looks like. Personally, I could never use that much.
If you can’t abide by this requirement, why do you give this advice? That’s way too much sunscreen in your picture and it’s misleading! Is that for the neck too? Unless you have a huge face, most girls will just end up with clogged pores using that amount of sunscreen on their face everyday! Dermatologists are only saying 1/3 or 1/2 of a teaspoon for the face and scale up if you have a bigger surface area.
Hi Lavina
You might note that I was not advising to use 1 tsp per se. I did say clearly that 1tsp is what I read is the recommended amount. It would appear that opinions now vary from 1/4-1/2 tsp. However, most sun protection advice sites do still specify 1tsp as the recommended amount just for the face. The picture is to show what 1tsp looks like which I agreed is way too much for everyday.
my god o.o
1 teaspoon?? its too much for my oily skin @@
wow science lab test 2mg of sunscreen per sq inch of skin!
finally know how much they test! i always have my doubts when they keep marketing saying their sunscreen works on volunteers, scientifically proven and etc but didn’t mention how much of sunscreen were tested.
Hi Eliza
Do note that’s just what I’ve read is recommended – if you can use that amount, well and good. If your skin can’t tolerate it, then you might need less as others have pointed out. I personally don’t use that much but I do use a lot by normal standards.
love the article! i’ve been reading your blog for some time and it’s very, very informative. Now I know I gotta up my sunblock application. I saw your post on “Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen with Helioplex” some time ago, coincidentally I made my purchase about the same time. Question : which, will you apply first? Sunscreen, or moisturizer? This product, it says it’s suitable for use as make up base as well. Any tips there? Thanks.
Hi SerraQual
Thanks! Sunscreen is always the last item of skincare to go on your face so moisturizer first then sunscreen. I don’t use the Neutrogena on my face just on my arms so I can’t be of help but I think what they might mean is that since its the last thing on your face after moisturizer you don’t need a separate makeup base.
Gotta admit that I don’t use that much but I do reapply obsessively through the day. Australian paranoia.
Hi Eli
I don’t reapply unfortunately which is something I should. With that huge hole in the ozone layer, you can’t be too careful!
hi Paris, I use Anthelios XL spf 50+ tinted creme fondante for my dry-normal combination skin, but a little bit oily for me (not tacky, just a little bit shiny). ‘will try the Clinique one (the spf 30+). is that better in oil control ? thanks in advanced 🙂
Hi Magriet
I don’t think either brands are good at oil control per se. The Clinique SPF30+ is lighter than the Anthelios XL 50+ so it might help cut down the shiny factor.
Hey Paris,
Do you apply sunscreen on your eye area and eye lids as well?
cheers, 🙂
lemon
Hiya Lemon
I apply around the eye area but not too much and not on my lids because the creams I use are a bit thick. I guess I should 🙂