If the dermatologists of TikTok and Instagram have taught us something, it’s that sunscreen is likely one of the best and simplest methods to attenuate UV injury. That features wrinkles and darkish spots, sure, however shielding your pores and skin from the solar’s rays can be a should for stopping basal and squamous cell carcinoma (the most typical types of pores and skin most cancers) and melanoma (the deadliest). Merely put, everybody’s each day skincare routine ought to embrace SPF. To get essentially the most safety, although, it’s essential put on sufficient—particularly on essentially the most uncovered elements of your physique, like your face.

So how a lot sunscreen must you use on this extra-vulnerable space, precisely? “Quantifying the precise quantity may be actually powerful as a result of all people measures issues otherwise,” Susan Massick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at The Ohio State College Wexner Medical Middle, tells SELF. In different phrases, most of us aren’t digging into our wallets to measure a “nickel-sized” dollop of sunscreen each morning (the quantity the Pores and skin Most cancers Basis recommends to your face alone).

The issue with winging it: “A whole lot of people don’t understand they’re not utilizing sufficient,” Dr. Massick says. That’s why we’ve put collectively this visible information: That can assist you work out the proper quantity of SPF to cowl your complete face (and neck).

So, how a lot sunscreen must you use in your face?

Dr. Massick has a few helpful pointers: The primary (and best to measure, in our opinion) is 2 finger lengths’ price of sunscreen. Principally, which means spreading a thick line alongside your complete index and center finger. You may as well purpose for a quarter-sized blob. (See photos under.)

“I’ve additionally seen lots of people recommend a nickel-sized dollop, however I don’t assume that’s sufficient,” Dr. Massick says. “We need to be sure persons are protecting often-missed spots, too, just like the ears, alongside the hairline, and behind and in entrance of the neck.”

Possibly you’re questioning if these guidelines apply to make-up with SPF, too: The quick reply is that you just’ll seemingly nonetheless want a separate, devoted sunscreen, since you most likely aren’t sporting two fingers’ price of basis (since that may really feel heavy), in keeping with Dr. Massick. You additionally might not apply it evenly throughout your face, particularly in case you desire extra protection in sure spots versus others. Plus, some makeup-sunscreen hybrids don’t provide “broad-spectrum” safety (towards each UVA and UVB rays)—a should to remain secure.

“SPF in make-up is an additional advantage, however it shouldn’t be used as the first or solely layer of protection,” Dr. Massick says—which is why she recommends a base of standard sunscreen, then a quarter-sized dollop of the SPF make-up on high. But when that feels too goopy, it’s okay to make use of much less, she provides—so long as you’ve got that base coat of sunscreen beneath.

Do your lips want sunscreen, too?

“The actual fact of the matter is that the lips are most likely much more prone to solar injury,” Dr. Massick says. In contrast to the remainder of your face, your lips don’t have as a lot melanin (pigment)—that means “they don’t have that protecting coloration to defend you from solar publicity,” she explains.