Does spray-on sunscreen work as well as lotion?
Ask the doctor
I love the convenience of sunscreen sprays, but do they offer the same sun protection as lotions?In contrast, using sunscreen in lotion form makes it easy to see how much of the product you’ve applied and where you’ve missed — things that aren’t as obvious with spray-on products. To make the most of a spray, make sure your skin appears wet and shiny where you’ve sprayed. Then, rub it in before it dries to make sure it’s evenly spread. Also, don’t spray sunscreen directly onto your face, since it can irritate your eyes or nasal passages. Instead, spray the sunscreen into your hand until you have a small pool of liquid. Then rub your hands together and apply the sunscreen evenly over your face.
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About the Author
Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
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