BY Emily Orofino
Last Updated
Mar 23, 2023
We all know that it’s critical to wear sunscreen every day, but let’s be honest with ourselves: How many of us are actually applying SPF to our bodies every single day? The face, sure—that’s the moneymaker—but it can be such a pain to slather ourselves from the neck down with sunscreen. Unfortunately, sun exposure, regardless of where those rays hit you, will put you at risk of contracting skin cancer and (of course) cause premature aging. “You should use products with sun protection daily, including on your body,” says Dr. Corey L. Hartman, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL. “It’s a good habit to get into every day.”
That’s why we’ve taken the approach of combining sunscreen application with an existing daily habit by using one easy product: body lotion with SPF. “Body lotion with SPF is formulated with the dual intent of moisturizing the skin, plus sun protection,” says Dr. Hartman. Generally, they’re not formulated to be water-resistant or waterproof, so rather than applying before swimming or sweating outdoors, use a body lotion with SPF on an average day—like one spent mostly working at your desk or running errands.
What to Look For in a Body Lotion With SPF
When shopping for body lotions with SPF, take the ingredients into consideration. “I like to look for ingredients that will add moisture and then lock it in,” says Dr. Hartman, calling out moisture-giving ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, and squalane. “Hyaluronic acid is a great choice for a body lotion with SPF as it attracts moisture from its surroundings, and summer weather tends to be more humid, so it will draw in the moisture from the air,” he adds. Dr. Hartman also recommends looking for antioxidants, namely vitamin E, which helps protect against free radical damage while promoting skin elasticity.
As for sun defense, always seek out a formula that’s labeled as broad-spectrum, meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. If you’re not sure what level to look for, know that SPF 15 offers around 93 percent protection and SPF 30 offers 97 percent. SPF 15 blocks about 93 percent of UVB rays, while SPF 30 blocks about 97 percent of UVB rays
How to Apply Body Lotion With SPF
When applying your sunscreen-infused body lotion, you’ll want to take a similar approach to how you’d apply everyday SPF. Dr. Hartman recommends using two tablespoons’ worth of lotion—the amount of a full shotglass—in the AM. “Ideally, [you’d apply] right after getting out of the shower while the skin is still a bit damp,” he says. “You can retain some of the moisture from the shower by doing so.” Try working your way down from your shoulders, chest, and arms to your legs and feet, letting your lotion fully dry before getting dressed (of course) and getting sun exposure, which is especially important if you’re using a chemical sunscreen—they need time to work!
Remember, sunscreen doesn’t fall into the “set it and forget it” category of beauty product application. While Dr. Hartman notes that once-daily application is fine for days spent indoors, reapplication will otherwise be necessary. “If you notice that you are outside longer than intended, you’ll want to reapply to exposed skin every two hours,” he says, and that’s regardless of whether you’ve opted to use a chemical or mineral formula. To simplify your midday touch-ups, we recommend keeping a travel-sized tube of your fave sunscreen-infused body lotion in your bag. If you don’t have one yet, keep reading! We’ve curated our go-to body lotions with SPF to keep skin pampered and protected, 24/7/365.
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