According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, most adults need 1 ounce (or 2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to cover exposed skin on the whole body. But, they add, most people only apply between 25 and 50 percent of that amount. “Sunscreen should be used daily, regardless of the weather, and reapplied every two hours,” says Michele Green, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. And if you’re swimming or sweating, reapply again afterward, recommends the Skin Cancer Foundation. Certain spots — like the scalp, lips, ears, neck, and chest — tend to be overlooked, either because applying sunscreen to them is uncomfortable or because the area doesn’t seem to get enough sun to warrant SPF. But many of these areas are among the top areas where skin cancer develops, according to the Mayo Clinic. RELATED: 10 Sun-Care Products That Dermatologists Love In fact, having five or more sunburns doubles your risk of melanoma, a potentially deadly form of skin cancer, per the Skin Cancer Foundation. But using an SPF of 15 or higher every day reduces that risk by 50 percent, so it’s important to slather your sunscreen everywhere the sun hits. Need another reason to load up on SPF? Consider UV’s long-term effects on your skin. Ninety percent of skin aging can be blamed on the sun, notes the Skin Cancer Foundation, but one study found that people who reported daily use of a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher showed 24 percent less skin aging compared with those who did not consistently use sunscreen. So next time you apply, keep these often-overlooked areas in mind. RELATED: 6 Steps for Choosing a Clean and Safe Sunscreen Don’t just lotion up the lobes, though: “I see skin cancers on all parts of the external ear,” says Tanya Nino, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the melanoma program director at Providence St. Joseph in Orange County, California. “Behind the ears, including the crease behind the ear, is also a common spot where skin cancers form.” Apply a broad-spectrum cream sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher to minimize your risk, Dr. Nino advises, and be sure you’ve covered all areas of the ears, front and back. And don’t forget — wearing a hat with a brim and seeking the shade wherever you can are great ideas too, she says. RELATED: Sunscreen Mistakes That Hurt Your Skin
2. Scalp
If you think your hair is protecting your scalp, think again. “The scalp is the highest point of the body and thus more likely to burn than other areas,” Dr. Green says. “To help prevent skin cancers, SPF should always be applied to the scalp and the hairline.” Though skin cancer on the scalp isn’t common — it accounts for 2 to 5 percent of all skin melanomas, research has shown — you should still apply SPF. Wearing a hat can help, too. It doesn’t have to be as messy as you’re likely picturing, either. “There are an array of sunscreens available that are formulated to protect the scalp without leaving behind any residue or a greasy feeling,” Green says. Try a sunscreen powder like Supergoop Poof Part Powder ($32, Supergoop.com) or a mist like Sun Bum’s Scalp & Hair Mist SPF 30 ($14.99, Sunbum.com) that’s specifically designed for the scalp. RELATED: The Sun-Case Products That Dermatologists Use
3. Eyelids
The skin around your eyes is thin, and that makes it susceptible to skin cancer as well as signs of aging, like wrinkles and sunspots, Green says. Skin cancer on the eyelids accounts for up to 10 percent of all skin cancers, according to Cancer.Net, the website of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. “Many people refrain from applying SPF to the eyelids due to the sensitivity of the area,” Green says. For protection without the sting, go for a mineral sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide — you can find one that’s formulated for sensitive skin, Green says. Alternatively, she advises using an eye cream that contains SPF. One option is Bright-Eyed 100 Percent Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40 ($36, Supergoop.com). Finally, don’t forget your sunnies. “Picking up a pair of sunglasses that offer UV protection is a great investment and can help further protect the eyelids from skin cancers and signs of aging that are accelerated by the sun’s rays,” Green notes. RELATED: The Difference Between Chemical and Mineral Sunscreen
4. Lips
You might not think of your lips as skin, but they are — and skin cancer can develop there, too. Luckily, protecting this area is simple. All you need is a lip balm with an SPF of 30 or higher, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Using a lip balm with an SPF is good practice to help prevent the development of skin cancers and wrinkles in the area,” Green says. The hardest part will be remembering to swipe it on throughout the day. Nino advises reapplying your lip balm every two hours (or more often if you’re swimming — check the product label to be sure). And if you don’t have a lip balm on you, don’t stress: “Just carry over the facial sunscreen onto the external lips,” Nino says. RELATED: Do You Need to Wear Sunscreen Indoors?
5. Neck and Chest
You may diligently apply sunscreen to your face before leaving the house, but make sure you show your neck some love, too. About 20 percent of all new melanoma cases are found in the head and neck region, according to an article published in October 2019 in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. “The neck and chest are also hot spots for skin cancer, and [you] should pay attention to these areas,” Nino says. She prefers to use a sheer zinc oxide on the chest and neck, noting that tinted face sunscreens can spread to clothing. RELATED: How to Shield Your Skin From Environmental Damage
6. Feet
Unless you’re wearing a full-coverage shoe like a sneaker, your feet may be soaking up a lot of rays. “The tops of our feet are often exposed to the sun, and we should apply SPF there,” Nino says. The soles of your feet, on the other hand, are generally more protected because of a thick layer of dead skin cells, according to the Cleveland Clinic. But if the bottoms of your feet will be exposed to UV light somehow — for example, if you’re lying out barefoot at the beach — you should apply SPF to this area, as Nino notes that melanoma can develop there, too. Three to 15 percent of melanoma skin cancers occur on the foot or ankle, according to an article published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. RELATED: Wellness Bloggers’ Best Tips for Shielding Skin From UV Rays
