Spray Sunscreens Are Just as Effective as Lotions – as Long as They’re Applied Correctly

Spray sunscreens are so easy to put on, which makes them a popular choice when it comes time to reapply. But are they as good as lotions?

The TLDR answer: A few spritzes just aren’t going to provide adequate protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.

But the truth is, this is more than a spray-sunscreen problem. Many Americans aren’t applying sunscreen of any kind often enough. In a 2020 survey, only 12% of men and 29% of women said they always used sunscreen when they were outside for more than hour on a sunny day.

The convenience of spray sunscreens certainly could help this cause, but they’re too often used improperly.

Below, the benefits and drawbacks of spray sunscreens, and how to use them effectively.

The pros and cons of spray sunscreen

There’s a lot to love about spray sunscreens: Aside from being easier to apply than their lotion counterparts, they also tend to be lighter and less likely to leave a white residue than lotions.

But while you may have an easier time spraying hard-to-reach spots like your back, it can be difficult to tell if the sunscreen is evenly distributed. When you apply it on a windy day, more might be carried away in the air than make it onto your body. With lotions, you can see where it’s going.

Some spray sunscreens also contain alcohol, which can irritate and dry out the skin.

How to apply spray sunscreen

Spray sunscreens have the same active ingredients as lotions, so they should be just as protective as lotions – if they’re used correctly.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA), you need about an ounce of sunscreen to cover your entire body. This amount – roughly the equivalent of a shot glass of sunscreen – can be hard to gauge with a spray, so the AADA recommends holding the nozzle about an inch from your body and spraying until your skin glistens.

This goes for every part of you, including your feet, hands, ears, neck, scalp.

The most important (and overlooked) part of this process is rubbing the sunscreen in after applying it. If you don’t, your skin probably won’t be evenly covered.

Another option is to spray it onto your hands and smear it all over your body. The AADA suggests doing it this way for your face at least, to prevent inhaling the sunscreen. And the Food and Drug Administration recommends not leaving sunscreen in direct sunlight because it can reduce its effectiveness. Instead, keep it in the shade or wrapped in a towel.

Reapply it as you would any sunscreen, every two hours, or more frequently if you’re sweating or swimming. If you’re prone to forgetting this step, try setting an alarm or a reminder on your phone.

Dermatologists agree, the best sunscreen is the one that you’ll actually use. If that’s spray sunscreen, go for it. Just be sure you’re using it correctly. As long as you follow the instructions above, a spray sunscreen is just as effective as a lotion.