How Much Sunscreen to Use On Your Face (and the Rules for Reapplying)

Be honest: When was the last time you actually measured the amount of sunscreen you put on your face? We understand the temptation to slather on a thin layer, call it a day and assume your SPF is working its magic.

Any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen at all. But here’s the thing: Plenty of people don’t apply enough to get the full SPF protection. So even if you’re a stickler about wearing sunscreen, you might not be as prepped for your pool day as you think.

So, how much face sunscreen do you really need? And how often are you supposed to reapply? Let’s break it down.

How Much Sunscreen Should You Use On Your Face?

If you’re using sunscreen lotion, squeeze a quarter-sized amount into your hands and spread it evenly across your face, neck and ears to get the full SPF benefit. Anything less, and you’re short-changing your sun protection.

If you’re using a sunscreen stick, we recommend applying four passes back and forth on each area of your face to get adequate coverage. Here’s your cheat sheet:

Forehead: 4 passes
Each cheek: 4 passes
Nose: 4 passes
Chin: 4 passes

No matter which type of sunscreen you use, make sure you apply it at least 15 minutes before sun exposure.

How Often to Reapply Sunscreen On Your Face

Think of sunscreen like coffee — it wears off and you need to re-up. At a minimum, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours. But if you’re swimming or toweling off, you need to reapply immediately.

If your sunscreen is water-resistant or sweat-resistant, check the label. Most formulas last either 40 or 80 minutes before they need to be reapplied. And yes, even if your sunscreen claims to be "long-wear" or "sweatproof," it’s still breaking down throughout the day, thanks to sweat, oil and UV exposure.

Will Sunscreen Leave a White Cast on Your Face?

A big reason people skimp on sunscreen? They don’t want a white cast on their face that makes them look like a ghost. But the fix isn’t using less sunscreen, it’s using the right sunscreen — specifically SPF that’s formulated for faces.

Some mineral sunscreens might leave behind a chalky cast, but not all of them do. Enter Mineral Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40, our weightless formula designed to blend seamlessly and minimize white cast, and Mineral Mattescreen SPF 40, which features a soft tint to help it disappear on skin.

And if you want a 100% invisible option, there’s always Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50, a clear, weightless gel.

So, if fear of white cast has been holding you back, you just need to upgrade your formula, not cut down on your SPF.

Do Different SPF Levels Require Different Amounts of Sunscreen?

The short answer? Nope. Sunscreen doesn’t work like that. No matter the SPF level, you still need the full recommended amount to protect your skin from UV rays.

Think of it like painting a wall. One thin coat won’t do the job. The same goes for sunscreen: Whether you’re using SPF 30 or SPF 50, you need to apply the full quarter-sized amount on your face to get the protection on the label.

Your Face Called — It Wants More Sunscreen

Look, your face puts up with a lot: pollution, blue light, stress, the occasional questionable skincare experiment. The least you can do is give it the sunscreen it actually needs. A thin swipe of SPF won’t cut it, and skipping reapplication can increase your risk of sun damage.

So do your skin a favor: Use enough, reapply often and make sure you’re using a face sunscreen that works for you. Your future face will thank you.