Trust Me, I'm an Esthetician—If You Still Hate Applying SPF, You Probably Haven't Tried This Product

As a beauty editor and esthetician, I spend a lot of time preaching the importance of wearing sunscreen. Fortunately, SPFs have gone through something of an evolution in recent years, and these days I rarely meet anyone who isn’t wearing one every day. From creams and sticks to serums and gels, sun cream now comes in formats to suit every skin type, tone, and concern (yes, SPFs for sensitive skin and sunscreens for dark skin do exist). They’re no longer thick, chalky and clogging, but instead feel light and add glow, meaning people actually enjoy applying and wearing them.

But the big question I’m asked? How do you apply sunscreen? And, more importantly, how do you reapply it? Since most sunscreen is only effective for two hours once applied, reapplication is essential to maintain protection all day. “Sunscreen naturally wears off over time due to factors like sweating, touching your face and environmental exposure,” says consultant dermatologist Emma Wedgeworth. “In addition, ‘incidental sun exposure’, the kind we get from simply being outside, walking to work or sitting by a window, can accumulate and still cause DNA damage, pigmentation and [accelerated skin] ageing. Reapplying ensures that protection stays effective, reducing long-term risk of skin cancers and premature ageing.”

While it’s easy to layer a serum or cream sunscreen on as the final step in your morning skincare routine before you do your makeup (there are lots of great sunscreens to wear under makeup), reapplication isn’t always so easy with these formulas, especially if makeup was worn. The solution? SPF sprays, which are designed specifically for reapplication, often do double duty and help to set makeup, hydrate and cool skin in the process. I’ve been on the hunt to find the best SPF sprays for over a year now, and since I apply it every day, I’ve tried my fair share of spray-on sunscreens. My testing criteria was simple: no white cast, no sticky or greasy feel, no eye sting and no makeup disturbance throughout the day.