Like most health-conscious people, I’m absolutely obsessive about applying sunscreen before spending a day in the sun. But when I’m dashing out to walk my dog or run to the store, I have to admit I can be a bit haphazard about coverage. I’ll swipe a high-SPF on my face and then quickly spray my arms and legs, just hoping I covered my bases. And I know I’m not the only one. But when we speed-slather, are we botching our coverage?
It’s crucial to make sure we’re doing SPF right, because “daily, consistent sunscreen use has been shown to reduce the risk of melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma,” says Tiffany J. Libby, MD, director of Mohs Micrographic and Dermatologic Surgery at Brown Dermatology in Providence, Rhode Island. “It’s also the No. 1 anti-aging intervention, as up to 80% to 90% of visible skin aging is driven by UV exposure.”
But sunscreen does the job only if you apply it thoroughly, adds Joshua Zeichner, MD, associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. “So you need to make sure there aren’t missed areas,” he says. One study, published in the scientific journal PLOS One, found that people miss 20% of their exposed skin!
So where should we be applying sunscreen … but often don’t? And what other SPF mistakes are putting our skin at risk? To find out, I asked Dr. Libby and Dr. Zeichner about everything SPF. Read on to learn the surprising spots we’re missing, the best ways to apply sunscreen and tricks to keeping your skin fully protected this summer and every day of the year.
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Where do most people forget to apply sunscreen?
There are a few key spots we overlook, but a huge one is our scalp, including the part and hairline. Whether you have thick locks or are hair-challenged, you need SPF up there. “I frequently see skin cancers high on the forehead, right at the hairline,” Dr. Zeichner says. “Make sure that you rub sunscreen into the hairline to avoid any missed areas.” Or use a spray formula, which is easy to apply up top.
Why is it so important to cover this area?
It’s essential to apply SPF to the scalp and hairline zone because these are common skin cancer sites. Melanoma of the scalp is a particular worry. Scalp melanoma, which is six times more common in men than women, tends to be more aggressive than melanomas on other parts of the body, according to a 2021 study review. And it sometimes gets diagnosed late because it can be hard to detect underneath hair.
Your best bet is to be vigilant about scalp sunscreen coverage, see your dermatologist for annual skin checks and get in the habit of wearing a tight-weave hat.
What other body parts do we overlook?
There are a few other places on the face and body that we tend to skip over when slapping on the sunscreen. These are the biggies, according to the pros:
- Lips: People forget to use SPF lip balm, and as a result, “we see a significant number of precancerous and cancerous lesions there,” Dr. Libby says.
- Ears, eyelids and nose: “As a Mohs surgeon, I disproportionately see skin cancers on the ears and nose, where UV exposure is high but sunscreen application is often inconsistent,” Dr. Libby says. (Mohs surgery involves slicing away thin layers of skin to remove cancers.)
- Upper middle back: This zone is just beyond where your arm can reach—and that’s a problem. “It’s very difficult for someone to apply sunscreen to their own back without any missed areas,” Dr. Zeichner says. “Make sure you have a sunscreen buddy for help with application.” While they’re there, make sure they get the back of your neck and legs too.
How do you keep your skin safe from the sun’s harsh rays?
First off, be sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that’s SPF 30 or higher. It doesn’t matter if you choose a mineral/physical block (like zinc oxide) or a chemical block, Dr. Libby says, as long as you use it consistently. “SPF is only as effective as how you apply it,” she says. Most of us use a measly 25% to 50% of the amount needed, so we’re not getting the protection level we think. “Skin cancer is rarely from one bad sunburn but from years of under-protection,” she stresses.
Ready to up your sunscreen game? Follow these pro rules:
- Don’t skimp: “You need about a shot glass for the body and a nickel-sized amount for the face to reach the labeled SPF,” Dr. Libby says. Dr. Zeichner shares this trick to make sure you’re using enough on your face: Apply a line of product on your index and middle fingers from the tips to where they meet the palm. “This two-finger rule is generally enough to cover the full face,” he says.
- Reapply often: Slather on more product every two hours, or more often if you’re sweating or swimming, because protection wears off, Dr. Libby says. Over time, chemical sunscreen ingredients become inactivated, and mineral sunscreen ingredients clump, Dr. Zeichner adds, “so they lose effectiveness, and you might think that you are sun protected when you aren’t.”
- Spot the spray: When we’re using a spray sunscreen, hold the sunscreen 1 inch from your skin and spray until the skin glistens, then rub it in, Dr. Zeichner says. “If you don’t see the sunscreen on the skin, then it isn’t there.”
- Keep swiping: When protecting your skin with a stick sunscreen, rub it back-and-forth for four passes to ensure you’ve deposited enough on your skin, Dr. Zeichner says. Then rub the sunscreen in with your hand.
- Think beyond SPF: “Don’t rely on sunscreen alone—combine it with protective behaviors like hats, sunglasses and seeking shade, especially during peak UV hours,” Dr. Libby says. “I always tell patients: Sunscreen works best as part of a broader sun-protection strategy, not in isolation.”
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Sources:
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, associate professor of dermatology and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City; email interview, May 12, 2026
- Tiffany J. Libby, MD, director of Mohs micrographic and dermatologic surgery at Brown Dermatology in Providence, Rhode Island, and assistant professor of dermatology at Brown University Warren Alpert School of Medicine; email interview, May 11, 2026
- Melanoma Research Foundation: “Melanoma Facts & Stats”
- Skin Cancer Foundation: “Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics”
- PLOS One: “Sunscreen use optimized by two consecutive applications”
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology: “Diagnosis and Management of Melanoma of the Scalp: A Review of the Literature”
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