This Sunscreen Mistake Is Easy to Make—Here's How to Fix It

By now, we know that wearing sunscreen every day is so important. Protecting your skin against damaging UV rays is crucial to reducing your risk of developing skin cancer. Plus, it will stop your skin from aging faster. Yep, sun exposure can really speed up the process. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, sun damage over time can lead to changes like wrinkles, age spots, loose skin, spider veins, and a blotchy or ruddy complexion.

And while there are a lot of variables that come with choosing a sunscreen—chemical or mineral, SPF levels, different types of formulas—the general rule of thumb is pretty easy to remember. "Making sure that your sunscreen product is broad-spectrum and of an SPF of at least 30 is the most important," says Joel Cohen, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of AboutSkin Dermatology in Denver, Colorado.

So we're all in agreement that sunscreen is a crucial skincare step. But we're also all human, and sometimes, you might forget to apply it. Or you might skip over some body parts when you're in a rush. I like to consider myself pretty diligent about applying sunscreen every day, but I spent a day by the pool last summer, and although I thought I had gotten sunscreen on every nook and cranny of my body, I found my shoulders were sunburned at the end of the day. It happened months ago, and I'm still feeling guilty about it.

One mistake that can cause us to forget? It might be you don't have sunscreen you're comfortable wearing, that's easy to use, or that works with your skin. Having sunscreen you actually like wearing makes a big difference, but it sometimes comes down to personal preference. "Many people find it easier to use a product that contains their daily moisturizer as well, as that removes one additional step from their morning regimen," Cohen says. "Conversely, many people with oily skin want a product that does not add emollience or moisture to their skin. Cosmetic elegance is critically important, as patients will not use their SPF every morning if it is thick or uncomfortable on the skin."

This can be especially true if you have a skin condition that might make things irritated or uncomfortable, like eczema, rosacea, or even acne-prone skin. If you have a sunscreen product that annoys your skin even more, you might dread wearing it.

When it comes to rosacea, Cohen says formula type doesn't really affect the outcome, but there are some things to keep in mind when you're choosing a sunscreen, which he outlined for us below.

While this guideline is for everyone, it's especially important for people with rosacea. "Since inflammation is a cause and an outcome in rosacea, it is really important that the application of sunscreen every morning becomes a habit," Cohen says. "Reducing the inflammation caused by UV exposure can really help to reduce flare-ups in rosacea patients. And remember to reapply every two hours or more frequently if sweating, swimming, or toweling off."

"It is important to avoid products with unnecessary synthetic fragrances as these can cause irritation," Cohen advises. The same goes for dyes, too.

Cohen says added antioxidants might help reduce inflammation and damage caused by UV radiation.

These are beneficial because they don't clog pores, Cohen says.

"Using a product that has a natural tint can be nice to minimize any facial redness you may be experiencing," Cohen suggests.

Cohen says some sunscreens use oils to cover up the sunscreen smell. He advises against stocking up on those, as they can clog pores.

Need more sunscreen options? Take a look at some of Cohen's and our picks:

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.