Image 1. The variation of the UV index with season, weather and time of day, the higher the index value, the stronger the UV radiation you are exposed to.

During the summer season, the UV index in Scandinavian countries is usually between 4–7 and during the winter lower than 2. At a low UV index (below 2), you do not need to use sunscreen, but at a higher UV index (between 4–7), the risks of negative effects of radiation increase and you must protect yourself.

A general recommendation is to use a high to very high sun protection (SPF 30-50+) daily if you are outdoors during the summer months (end of March-October) because the UV index is highest during this time.

Take our sunscreen test here for more info on choosing sunscreen.

No. 3 – Application

To get the protection promised on the packaging, you need to apply the sunscreen in an even and thick layer and also reapply regularly, especially after swimming or exercising. How often you need to do this depends on how active you are and how much the product rubs off, but as a general rule, it is good to reapply every two hours and especially after swimming. Below is our recommendation on how much you need to apply for the face and body.

Body

To be sure that you get the protection that is stated on the packaging, it is important to apply more than you normally do. As much as 30-40 ml should be applied to the body to get full protection. And how much is 30-40 ml? That is about the same amount of cream that fits in your cupped hand.

Face

When it comes to the face, it's over 1-2ml of sunscreen that applies. Most of us apply too little sunscreen to our face, so keep in mind that you need to apply significantly more than what might feel like enough to get the protective effect. So apply it properly, better too much than too little!