HOW TO APPLY SPF THE RIGHT WAY
Last Updated: 23/03/2026
Where were you and what were you doing when you found out you’ve been applying your SPF all wrong? Perhaps you were applying just the tiniest drop of facial SPF 2.5 once a day to your T-zone. While this sounds like an unbelievable beauty crime worth sanctioning, our Cult Beauty haven is a safe space where we don’t shame or scold, we educate you on how to apply SPF... the right way.
Wherever you are in the world, be it a hot, far-away island or sky-scraping city, your skin care regimen needs a trustworthy SPF. which is why we've created this easy to follow guide so you can master how to apply our SPF properly and then have fun in the sun — without worrying about UVA rays.
IN THIS ARTICLE
TWO FINGER RULE
The most common and often forgotten rule of thumb (no pun intended) is the two-finger step. We hate to say it but a drop or two won’t do your skin any favours under the beating sunshine or even on a cloudy day. While it may feel like a thick coating, doctors, estheticians and skincare specialists recommend this much product as a guide to keep yourcomplexion truly protected. So, take your favourite SPF moisturiser across your index and middle finger and apply generously across your face!
Once just isn’t enough though and with Glow Recipe’s Niacinamide Watermelon Glow Sunscreen, who wouldn’t want to reapply? Forecasting all-day radiance and broad spectrum protection with a mineral-rich formula that oozes with fruity freshness, this must-try SPF could quite literally shun your others to shame. Cute, covetable — and you guessed it — creamier than ever, this light-as-air poolside pal rescues dull, pigmented skin in no time at all. Now, that’s an SPF we can trust.
To meet your two-hour quota, why not try The INKEY List’s Polyglutamic Acid Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30 and make lightwork of the skincare commandment you dare not skip. Quenching the thirst of parched pores and boosting hydration with glycerin and squalane, this UVA and UVB protective formula makes for a non-greasy base that flatters all skin types (and we mean that)!
RUB IT IN — PROPERLY
Now you've learnt how much SPF you need, it's time to understand the importance of actually rubbing it in so that every part of your face is fully vielled in sun-shielding goodness. Think: applying your sunscreen like you're glazing a donut: smooth, even adn lovingly thorough, because even missing a tiny spot opens your skin up to an invitiation of unwanted lines, wrinkles, pigmentation and ofcourse burning!
Featherlight yet deeply nourishing, Caudalie’s Vinosun Very High Protection Lightweight Cream is the antioxidant-rich moisturiser that penetrates your skin with a vegan blend of reef safe ingredients which strengthen your delicate moisture barrier. But remember... only truly rubbing in your SPF will activate the broad spectrum protection that your skin craves.
YOUR NECK NEEDS TLC TOO!
Often forgotten in the mix of serums, creams, masks and moisturisers, our necks are also just as important as faces—so when it comes to learning how to apply SPF, don’t ghost it; blend your sunscreen down like you’re frosting a cake that doesn’t stop at the jawline, because your neck will absolutely call you out later with sun damage if you skip it.
Now, how great would it be if our necks soaked up the same surge of hydration courtesy of K-Beauty hero Beauty of Joseon and it's viral sensation the Relief Sun Rice +Probiotics SPF50+. Infused with rice water, niacinamide, hyalyronic acid and squalane (phew!), this deeply hydrating and fast absorbing formula not only shields skin against harmful UV rays and PA, but it leaves a hydrating viel of nourishment so skin feels plump and supple all day long.
PROTECT YOUR POUT
One thing about UVA/UVB rays — it has no favourites and your lips are free game. The days of leaving your lips to fend for themselves while your skin sits smugly protected under SPF are o-v-e-r. Enter: Ultra Violette’s Sheen Screen Hydrating Lip Balm SPF50, a shine-boosting and sun-protective shield that leaves your pout looking and feeling as supple as ever. The best part? It’s powered by nourishing cacao seed and shea butters and boasting a sweet-smelling vanilla scent and all it takes is swift glide to soak up optimal coverage!
Now the question remains — what’s going to be your glow-to?
HOW TO APPLY SPF FAQs
What is the biggest mistake when using sunscreen?
The biggest mistake when it comes to how to apply SPF is treating it like an afterthought—most people either don’t use enough (you need about two finger-lengths just for your face), miss easy-to-forget areas like the ears, hairline and neck, or fail to reapply throughout the day. A quick, uneven swipe might feel like you’re covered, but in reality, it leaves gaps where UV rays can still cause damage, leading to premature ageing, pigmentation, and increased skin cancer risk over time.
Is SPF over 30 useless?
No—SPF over 30 isn’t useless at all. When thinking about how to apply SPF, higher numbers give you a bit more of a safety cushion: SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 blocks around 98%. That small difference can matter, especially if you’re not applying enough or reapplying perfectly (which most people don’t). The key isn’t just the number—it’s applying it generously, evenly and topping it up regularly to actually get the protection promised on the label.
Can I get enough vitamin D while using SPF?
Yes—you can still get enough vitamin D while wearing sunscreen. When it comes to how to apply SPF, real-life use is rarely perfect (we miss spots, don’t apply enough, and forget to reapply), which means some UVB rays still reach your skin. Plus, you only need short periods of incidental sun exposure for vitamin D, and you can also get it from foods or supplements if needed. So protecting your skin properly doesn’t mean you’re blocking out all the benefits—it just helps you avoid the damage.
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Rina is Cult Beauty’s SEO Content Strategist and Beauty Expert and has always had a passion for beauty and skin care (rich moisturisers are her obsession). What started as a love for The Body Shop and their famed Born Lippy lip balms (in ‘Watermelon’ of course!), she is now more interested in finding products with proven effectiveness instead of broken promises. A loud and proud VIEVE fan, Rina owns nearly every item of the range and recommends the brand to anyone who will listen... When she’s not intently reading ingredient lists, you can find her either immersed in multiple true crime podcasts or a fantasy romance novel, with an *extra* hot cappuccino in hand.
