Sunscreen Spray: How to Get Even Coverage Without Missing a Spot

When you use a sunscreen cream it is easy to see how much you're applying where. However, with a spray the product lands on the skin as a fine mist often completely transparent which makes it easier to miss a few patches here and there or you're forced to spread it around by hand to avoid missing patches which beats the point of it being a product best suited for on the go usage. The fix isn't complicated, all you have to do is use more than feels necessary, and make sure it's spread evenly.

Step 1: Apply before you head out. Do it in a spot with little wind, so the product lands on your skin and not in the air.

Step 2: Spray generously until your skin glistens. The skin should look visibly wet and shiny. If it doesn't, you haven't used enough.

Step 3: Rub it in. Use your hands to spread the product evenly across the area. This fills in gaps and helps you get consistent coverage.

Step 4: Overlap your sections. Work in small areas, such as one arm, then the other, then each leg, and overlap the edges slightly so nothing is skipped.

Step 5: Don't forget the easy-to-miss spots. Ears, the back of the neck, tops of the feet, shoulders and the hairline are commonly missed.

For your back, ask someone to spray and rub it in for you, since it's the hardest area to cover well alone.

When it comes to applying a sunscreen spray on your face you have to be careful as to not let the product get near your eyes, or in your nose and mouth. The best way to go about it is to;

Step 1: Spray onto your hands first, then smooth it over your face. This gives you control and keeps the mist out of your eyes.

Step 2: Or hold the bottle at a safe distance and spray evenly in short passes, keeping your eyes and mouth closed.

Step 3: Don't inhale the mist, and never spray directly near your eyes. Hold your breath as you spray, and do it in an open, well-ventilated space.

Once it's on, rub it in so the coverage is even across your forehead, cheeks, nose, chin and jawline, and around the ears and neck as to avoid any left out patches.

Sunscreen must always be reapplied every two hours when you're outdoors. After activities like swimming or heavy sweating, reapply it sooner since these things can remove the sunscreen even if it's a water resistant variant.

If you're indoors for most of the day, you'll need to reapply less often. But if you're sitting near a bright window or stepping out at lunch, a top-up is always a good idea.

If you're someone who uses makeup on a daily basis or happens to have a coat of foundation on, this is where sunscreen sprays come in most useful. Rubbing a cream over a finished face can easily ruin your base. A spray lets you top up protection without starting over.

• Hold the bottle at a distance and spray lightly in even passes over your closed eyes and mouth, or spray onto your hands or a beauty blender and dab gently onto your whole face.
• Let it settle for a moment.
• Press, don't rub, with clean hands or a beauty blender to even it out without disturbing your makeup.

A tinted formula can be especially handy here, since it adds a little colour as you top up.Sprays are great for convenience and for reapplication on the go, but they shouldn't be used sparingly or as your only layer of protection. If you're heading out for a long day in strong sun, start with a proper, generous application, and use the spray to top up through the day. A spray used thinly is a weak shield, however high the SPF.

BeBe Picks: Lakme Sun Expert Tinted PA SPF50++ Spray

If you want an SPF 50 spray that's easy to apply and top up, Lakme Sun Expert Tinted PA SPF50++ Spray is worth a look. It claims to give a high sun protection coverage and since it comes with a tint it is better to apply on a face of makeup or to give your bare face some form of coverage.

As expert Dr Monique Cohn says, "If you love your spray sunscreen, keep using it — just commit to rubbing it in thoroughly and applying enough product. And always pair sunscreen with other sun-protective behaviors: seek shade during peak UV hours (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-protective sunglasses."

Sunscreen sprays are only as good depending on the way you apply them. It is always helpful to spray until your skin glistens, run it in then, overlap sections and protect your face carefully. Always reapply every two hours outdoors and after activities like swimming or the gym. Use the spray as a top up product itself or solely the only sunscreen product you use.