A Dermatologist’s Guide to Sunscreen

December 19 | 12 minute watch

words by meccaversity

We all know that SPF is the most important step in our skincare routine, but do you actually know how much to apply, when to wear it and which formula to choose? And what do terms like UV, chemical, physical, primary and secondary mean for sunscreen, anyway? At MECCAversity, we’re lucky enough to learn from the very best, so we headed to The Royal Melbourne Hospital to speak to Dr Vanessa Morgan, Head of Unit for Dermatology, to get the answers to all our burning questions...

About this course:

During her 20-year career as a dermatologist for both adults and children, Dr Vanessa Morgan has seen it all – including the long-term effects of sun exposure. A passionate advocate for skin health, Dr Morgan knows that sun protection should be the foundation of every skincare routine; there’s no one more qualified to help us understand more about the crucial role SPF plays in maintaining our best skin.

Notes from this lesson:

Why is sunscreen so important?

According to Dr Morgan, if you want to prevent signs of ageing like fine lines and pigmentation, wearing SPF is the most important step in your skincare routine. “When it comes to looking good in the future, the thing that will by far make the biggest difference is sun protection,” she explains. “Investing in any kind of skincare routine without including an SPF is a complete waste of time because you are not protecting your skin in the first place.”

Is there a right way to apply sunscreen?

There is indeed! The main thing Dr Morgan sees in her clinic is patients not applying enough sunscreen: “Not using the right quantity can take your SPF30 down to an SPF10,” she explains. “The official recommendation to reach the SPF advertised on your sunscreen is 5mL for each region on the body, face, front of the trunk, back of the trunk and each limb.”

A full-body application should be equivalent to 30mL, or a shot glass full of sunscreen. It might seem like a lot – but that’s only one element of adequate protection. "Make sure to reapply every two hours if you are being exposed to the sun,” she adds.

How do you find the right SPF for you?

The best sunscreen is one you’ll wear regularly, so it’s important to make sure you find a formula you really like, explains Dr Morgan: “The most common reason people don’t like to wear SPF is because they don’t like the feel of it.”

Her advice: choose your SPF formula based on your skin type and how you like your skin to look and feel. Lighter, gel-based formulas are best for breakout-prone skin or those that don’t love the feel of sunscreen. While drier skin may prefer richer, glowier formulas with skincare ingredients.

What your learning journey looks like:

This masterclass is part of our Explore Skin collection. Want to learn more from the best in beauty? Once you’ve completed this lesson, check out our other masterclasses Pregnancy skincare tips with MECCA and The Ultimate Pre-Party Skin Prep Routine with Glow Recipe.