August 03, 2025

Professional Summer Skincare Tips For Choosing And Applying SPF Correctly

Why your sunscreen application technique matters more than the SPF number on the bottle

 

Did you know that SPF 30 from one brand doesn't equal SPF 30 from another?

The difference isn't in the packaging—it's the formula of the sunscreen that makes professional sunscreen different from store-bought kinds.

Most clients are surprised to learn they're using either too little or too much sunscreen—and not using the right amount can mean the difference between good protection and thinking you're protected when you're not. This can lead to not enough sun protection and sun damage that could have been stopped.

Today, we're going deep into professional sun protection tips that make sure your skin gets the complete protection it needs during summer's toughest months.

These professional summer skincare tips will help you choose the right sun protection, whether you need summer skincare for dry skin, summer skincare for oily skin, or are building your first summer skincare routine.

The Professional Reality Behind SPF Claims

Think of it like nutrition: there's home-cooked meals and fast food. Both might say they're "dinner," but the quality of ingredients and how they're made create very different results for your body—and your skin.

When I test different sunscreens with clients and family members,we notice differences between store-bought and professional sunscreens.

Professional sunscreens are made to work with your specific skin type and condition, while some store-bought ones can feel like they just sit there like a heavy, white mask.

How Sunscreen is Made Affects How Well It Works

The difference between store-bought and professional sunscreens comes down to three important things:

  • How well it stays strong (does it keep working when you really need it?)

  • How much of the protecting ingredients it has (are you getting what you paid for?)

  • How it gets into your skin (does it actually soak in and work with your skin?)


The Amount of Protecting Ingredients Is Very Important

Here's the thing about complete sun protection—it needs the right amounts of zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or chemical sun blockers. When we say "complete protection," we're talking about protecting against both types of harmful sun rays:

  • UVA rays (the aging rays that go deeper and cause wrinkles, age spots, and skin cancer)

  • UVB rays (the burning rays that cause sunburn and also lead to skin cancer)

For a sunscreen to block both types well, it needs specific protecting ingredients at specific amounts:

Physical/Mineral Blockers:

  • Zinc Oxide needs to be at least 10-25% to give you real complete protection

  • Titanium Dioxide usually needs 6-25% to block UVB rays well (though it doesn't work as well against UVA)

Chemical Blockers:

  • Avobenzone needs 2-3% to protect against UVA rays

  • Octinoxate needs 7.5% to protect against UVB rays

  • Octisalate needs 3-5% to help other ingredients work better

Why the amounts matter: When you see a sunscreen with zinc oxide at 5% versus one at 15%, you're looking at very different levels of protection. The same thing happens with other protecting ingredients—avobenzone at 1% works differently than avobenzone at 3%^1.


SPF Application: Getting the Amount Right

The Right Amounts That Most People Don't Know

The most common thing I see?

People putting on much less sunscreen than they need to get the SPF protection written on the bottle. The amounts might surprise you:

For facial protection:

  • Face only: ¼ teaspoon (about 1.25 ml)

  • Face and neck combined: ½ teaspoon (about 2.5 ml)

These amounts aren't random—they're based on the testing rules used to figure out SPF numbers. When you use less sunscreen, you don't just get a little less protection; you get much less protection that can leave your skin open to sun damage^1.

Hand Measurement Techniques (What You've Seen on Social Media)

If measuring spoons don't work well for your routine, these hand methods give you good ways to measure:

Two-Finger Rule (Face + Neck): Squeeze sunscreen along the full length of your index and middle fingers, from base to tip. This typically equals about ½ teaspoon—perfect for complete face and neck coverage.

One-Finger Rule (Face Only): One full finger length from base to tip equals about ¼ teaspoon, perfect for just your face.

Pump Method (For Lotion Dispensers): Most pump dispensers deliver ¼ to ½ teaspoon per 2-3 full pumps, though this varies by product design.

Pro Tips That Make the Difference

These details help you put on sunscreen like a professional:

  • Don't forget the edges: Ears, hairline, jawline, and under the chin are spots people often miss that show sun damage first

  • Let it settle: If you're putting on makeup after, let your SPF sit for 5-10 minutes so it sticks properly and works well

  • When to put on more: Every 2 hours outside or when sweating, no matter what

  • Works with other products: Choose SPF that goes on well under your other skincare and makeup


What SPF Numbers Really Mean (And Why Higher Isn't Always Better)

Here's what most people don't understand about SPF: the number isn't just about how strong it is. It's actually the key to figuring out how long your protection lasts before you need to put on more.

The SPF Calculation Formula

Formula: Time to burn naturally × SPF number = Minutes of protection

Example: If your unprotected skin would burn after 2 minutes of sun exposure, SPF 50 provides approximately 100 minutes of protection before reapplication becomes critical.

Why SPF 30 vs. SPF 50 vs. SPF 100 Matters Less Than You Think

The protection difference between SPF levels is smaller than most people realize:

  • SPF 30: Blocks approximately 97% of UVB rays

  • SPF 50: Blocks approximately 98% of UVB rays

  • SPF 100: Blocks approximately 99% of UVB rays

The real difference: Duration of protection, not intensity of protection. SPF 30 reapplied every 2 hours provides better protection than SPF 100 applied once in the morning^2.



Professional-Grade vs. Over-the-Counter: What Actually Makes the Difference

After years of working with both professional-grade and drugstore sunscreens, I can tell you the differences go far beyond what the ads say.

Professional summer skincare products offer sun protection advantages that regular drugstore options can't match

Professional Sunscreen Benefits

Stays Strong Longer: Professional sunscreens usually use stronger sun-blocking mixes that keep working longer, both in the bottle and on your skin. They're less likely to stop working in heat and sun.

Does More Than Just Protect: Many professional sunscreens include ingredients that fight damage, reduce redness, and help your skin, giving you benefits beyond just sun protection.

Made for Different Skin Types: Professional brands often make different sunscreens for different skin types and problems, instead of one sunscreen for everyone.

Feels Light and Nice: Better ways of making these products create sunscreens that feel lighter and more comfortable, making you more likely to use enough consistently.


Store-Bought Sunscreen Limits

Just Basic Protection: Most drugstore sunscreens only focus on sun protection without extra skin-helping benefits.

Feels Heavy and Uncomfortable: Often has ingredients that can feel heavy, greasy, or chalky—making people not want to use enough.

One Sunscreen for Everyone: Few choices for different skin types can lead to poor results for many people.

May Have Harsh Ingredients: May have fragrances, preservatives, or other ingredients that can irritate some people's skin.


My Personal SPF Journey

I remember as a kid, we used store-bought sunscreen and I always thought they were just made to be thick, strong-smelling, super white, and chalky. It really put me off wearing them, and I could see they were causing blackheads and clogged pores.

It wasn't until I became a skincare professional and found better sunscreens that I realized sun protection could be comfortable, nice to use, and even good for skin health beyond just protecting from the sun.

This experience taught me: The right sunscreen can change sun protection from something you have to do into something good for your skincare routine.


Smart Ways to Apply for Best Protection

Using the right timing and method can really change how well your sunscreen protects you:

Before Going in the Sun

30 minutes before sun exposure: Put on your first layer of SPF to let the product stick to your skin properly and start working.

Why this matters: Chemical sunscreens need time to soak in and start blocking UV rays, while physical sunscreens need time to spread evenly on your skin.

Putting on More: The Must-Do Rule

Every two hours no matter what: This isn't just a good idea—it's the only way to keep the SPF protection written on your bottle.

Put on more right away after:

  • Swimming or getting wet

  • Heavy sweating or exercise

  • Drying off with a towel

  • Being in heat for a long time

The Risky Times

Most summer skin damage actually happens during change times when people aren't putting on more sunscreen properly. These risky moments include:

  • Moving from inside to outside

  • Between activities (beach to lunch, pool to shopping)

  • During long outdoor events when people forget to reapply

  • Early morning and late afternoon when people think the sun isn't as strong

Better Protection Methods


Adding Protective Ingredients

Pro tip: Having protective ingredients in your sunscreen gives you protection on multiple levels—you're basically taking care of prevention and repair at the same time.

Research shows that sunscreen combined with protective ingredients can work better at stopping visible light and UV-A1 skin reactions while reducing dark spots^3.

Key protective ingredients:

  • Vitamin C: Stops damage at the cell level (note: only use if your skin barrier is healthy and not damaged)

  • Vitamin E: Protects cell walls

  • Special repair ingredients: Target healing processes


Daily Sunscreen Use: Being Consistent Beats Being Perfect

The best summer skincare for daily use is the sunscreen you'll actually use correctly and regularly. What I've found works best is helping clients find easy ways to add professional summer skin care into their routine.

Many of my clients successfully protect their skin daily by using products that do two things at once:

  • Day creams with SPF are convenient, though they usually give SPF 15-20—good enough for quick trips outside but not enough for long outdoor activities

  • Mineral makeup with SPF creates extra protection while making your skin look better, which can be a great choice for those who want both benefits

For longer time outside, you should think about using a separate sunscreen that usually has higher SPF.

What makes people not want to use SPF? Heavy, chalky feel, stickiness, or bad smell often stop people from using it regularly. This leads to not using enough sunscreen—usually only about 25% of what you should use.

In my experience, clients often change their sun protection routine once they find professional sunscreens that feel good and make them want to use the right amount.

The goal is creating an easy routine you'll do every day.


How Well Sunscreen Works in Summer Heat

Did you know that heat, humidity, and sun can actually break down your sunscreen while you're wearing it?

Some sunscreens handle this better than others.

Think of it like ice cream on a hot day.

Some sunscreens melt and lose their power quickly, while others stay strong even in tough conditions.

Research shows that better-quality sunscreens keep working even after hours in the sun, heat, and humidity.

Professional sunscreens are made to stay working in hot, sweaty, sunny conditions. Some store-bought sunscreens might start losing their protection right when you need it most. This could explain why some people can get sunburned even when they think they're being careful with sunscreen^2.


Professional Sunscreen Example: France Laure SPF 50

France Laure SPF 50 is a great example of professional sunscreen quality. This is one of many professional skincare choices that show how better ingredient selection and how sunscreens are made can give you real results.

Key Protecting Ingredients and Skin Benefits:

  • Zinc Oxide 12% - Physical complete protection that sits on your skin surface, gentle for sensitive skin types

  • Octinoxate 7.5% - Chemical UVB blocker that soaks up harmful rays before they get into your skin

  • Octisalate 5% - Helps other UV blockers work better and last longer under sun exposure

  • Oxybenzone 3% - Complete chemical blocker giving UVA/UVB protection

  • Plant Complex (Sea Buckthorn, African Voacanga, Rosehip) - Protects and feeds your skin while stopping swelling and damage from pollution

  • Coconut Oil - Strong protective ingredient that stops water loss and keeps your skin barrier working

  • Sunflower Extract - Photo-protective shield that makes your skin's cell protection stronger

  • Advanced Protective Complex - Stops damage from pollution and environment

  • Light Feel - Makes you want to use the right amount for best protection

  • Stays Strong Formula - Keeps working well during sun exposure times

This sunscreen combines the best amounts of protecting ingredients with great feel and staying power. 

[Learn more about France Laure SPF 50]

The result is complete protection that clients actually want to put on daily without irritation or feeling bad on their skin.

Professional Skincare Help Makes the Difference

Choosing good sun protection means understanding your skin's specific needs, daily life demands, and what works with your skin.

With so many choices available, one sunscreen doesn't work for everyone.

Just as you are unique as a person, your skin condition and skin type are uniquely yours.


Rather than trying every product on the market or figuring out endless choices alone (which honestly sounds exhausting), professional skincare help makes the whole process easier.

This makes sure you pick products that give you real sun protection, not just marketing promises wrapped in pretty packaging.

Most of my clients are really surprised to learn how their past sunscreen choices were actually working against their anti-aging skincare goals. It's one of those "aha" moments that changes everything.


Spending Money on Quality Sun Protection

When you buy professional sunscreen, you're paying for better quality, not just a fancy name.

What's interesting is that expensive store-bought SPF brands often cost about the same as professional ones—but give you very different results.

The real value is in long-term skin health. Buying quality sunscreen helps you avoid ingredients that can hurt your skin over time. The total cost of fixing damage from cheaper sunscreens—both in time and money—costs much more than buying professional protection from the start.

The reality: The cost of stopping sun damage and early aging is much less than treating it later—something I see every day in fix-it treatments that could have been avoided with proper sun protection from the beginning^3.


Building Your Summer Skincare Routine for Sun Protection


Here's your professional summer skin care routine for maximum SPF effectiveness:

Morning Routine:

  1. Gentle cleaning to get skin ready

  2. Protective serum to defend your cells

  3. Light moisturizer to support your skin barrier

  4. Complete SPF 30-50 put on generously

  5. Wait 5-10 minutes before putting on makeup

Midday Touch-Up:

  1. Gently dab away extra oil if needed

  2. Put on more SPF over makeup using powder or spray types

  3. Focus on high-sun areas (nose, shoulders, hairline)

Active Day Changes:

  1. Water-resistant types for swimming/sweating

  2. Higher SPF for long time outside

  3. Extra physical protection (hats, clothing) for complete protection


What's Next: Beyond Basic Protection

Good sun protection is just the start of professional summer skincare.

In our next blog, we'll look at better hydration ways that go beyond basic moisturizing—including cooling treatments, recovery methods, and the specific ingredients your skin needs to not just make it through summer, but really do well.

Ready to upgrade your summer skincare routine? Professional help can show you the best sun protection products and summer skincare tips for your specific skin type and protection needs.

 

 

References

^1 Omar, A. S., Saadatu, B. U., & Arya, H. (2024). "The science of skincare: Exploring products, ingredients and skincare routine." International Journal of All Research Education & Scientific Methods, 12(5).

^2 Diffey, B.L. (2001). "When should sunscreen be reapplied?" Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 45(6), 882-885.

^3 Lautenschlager, S., et al. (2007). "Photoprotection." The Lancet, 370(9586), 528-537.

 

Written by Mabel Wong