Feel the burn? How about no. Fourth of July (and just July 🥵) is right around the corner, which means we’re about to spend a lot more time in the sun. That’s why we tapped skincare maven Charlotte Chen Pienaar (she/her) to give us advice on how to tackle UV rays this summer. We fell in love with her sunscreen brand Everyday Humans the second we added it to our morning routine. But we’re even more obsessed now that they’re donating 5% of sales from both their Summer Kit and Aloe Mist to Planned Parenthood. 💜

Keep reading for Charlotte’s tips on all things SPF, like how you should wear it even if it’s overcast. Because as The Temptations say, you’ve still got sunshine on a cloudy day.

So how often should we really reapply sunscreen, especially during summer?
For a regular day out in the sun, you should aim to reapply it every 2 hours. And if you’ve just gone for a swim, toweled your face, or sweat, you should do so immediately.

But we wanna be tan! Is it okay to skip sunscreen if our skin doesn’t burn?
A common misconception is that tanning is safe as long as you don’t get sunburnt, but the harsh truth is there’s no safe way to tan. Whether you’re in the sun for 10 minutes or 10 hours, any form of unprotected sun exposure results in UV damage. And over the course of a lifetime, it’s enough to cause major problems and age your skin dramatically.

What about tanning oils? Are those safe?
Tanning oil does the exact opposite of sunscreen—it magnifies UV rays to help you achieve a deeper tan. It makes your skin more receptive to sun damage rather than protecting it.

Ok, so when choosing a sunscreen, which SPF factor is best?
The different numbers indicate the level of protection your sunscreen has against UVB rays, and how long it would take your skin to burn without it. SPF 30 would take you 30 times longer to burn, SPF 50 would take you 50 times longer to burn, and so on. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends SPF 30 or higher for proper protection.

Is it true we should still apply it on rainy days, or if we’re staying inside?
Glass pane windows are not designed to protect against the sun, so even indoors, UV rays can penetrate your skin. The same goes for rainy days, as clouds aren’t an effective shield either. SPF should be an everyday habit, rain or shine.

What are the pros and cons of mineral sunscreen?
Both mineral and chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays and turn them into heat. The difference is that chemical SPF absorbs 100% of them, while mineral SPF absorbs ~95% of them and reflects back the other ~5%. So the pro of mineral sunscreens is that, because not all particles are absorbed, they could cause less irritation to sensitive skin. The con is that they tend to be thicker and can leave a white cast, while chemical sunscreens are lighter and rub in clear.

Are tinted SPFs just as effective as non-tinted ones?
The effectiveness comes from the amount of product applied on your skin. The recommended usage is 2 fingers length worth of product.

If all else fails, what’s the proper way to treat a sunburn?
To heal from first-degree sunburn, your body needs time to replace the skin that was damaged. So avoid any additional sun exposure and focus on healing, using soothing products like aloe vera to reduce inflammation, moisturize, and prevent peeling. If you’re experiencing second-degree sunburn, treat it as a medical emergency and seek immediate treatment.