Even though it’s almost winter Down Under now (hah, I bet readers on the Northern Hemisphere must be going “we just left winter behind!“) and that it’s getting gloomier and colder, we often forget that we still need to wear sunscreen nonetheless. As long as we make it a part of our skincare routine, forgetting to wear sunscreen before we head out would be like forgetting to wear a bra before leaving the house.
On the other hand, even though I’m pretty darn religious when it comes to wearing sunscreen, there are parts of my body that I sometimes forget to apply sunscreen to. Some of these areas are often exposed to UV radiation from the sun and they’re particularly susceptible to sun damage in summer.
Here are 8 areas that we often forget to apply sunscreen. And by we, I mean me.
1. The back of the neck
I used to forget about this area and to be honest, sometimes I still do. These days, I make sure to reach to the back of my neck when I apply sunscreen on my neck and decolletage. Can’t hide the back of my neck with hair anymore now that it’s short.
2. Our ears
This is one area I always forget. Now that I have much shorter hair, my ears are often exposed. In fact, I forgot all about applying it on the ears until I read it somewhere a week or so ago. And I thought “oh dear, the ears! I forgot about the ears!“.
3. The tops of our feet
This is important, particularly if you enjoy wearing sandals and flip-flops. The tops of my feet are so crinkly now, it’s awful to even look at them. That’s when I realised that I haven’t been applying sunscreen all the way to the tops of my feet. I don’t know why I always just stop applying sunscreen at the ankles. Gah! *face palm*
4. Backs of our hands
When you apply sunscreen on your face, remember to squeeze a little onto the back of your hands and apply it like hand cream.
5. Decolletage
Okay, this is one part that I always apply sunscreen to but believe it or not, it’s an often forgotten area for many. Our face doesn’t just end at our face. It stops at our boobs. I once met an Australian celebrity (not going to mention her name) who was in her 40s. She had the skin of a 25 year old and the neck and chest of a 60 year old. Of course, she could have had work done on my face but what I’m trying to say is this: remember that your skincare and sunscreen goes all the way to the boobs as well.
6. Armpits
I don’t do this, not even in summer when I wear sleeveless tops. WHY DON’T I DO THIS?!
7. Midriff
I don’t wear crop tops and my midriff is rarely exposed so I don’t have to worry about this too much. However, if you do wear crop tops and your midriff is exposed, make sure you slap some sunscreen on your midriff and waist as well.
8. The backs of our knees
Guilty as charged. Gosh, I don’t think I’ve ever applied sunscreen on the back of my knees!
Sigh … if only there’s a vat of sunscreen we can just jump into, eh? Then we wouldn’t have to worry about what is exposed and what isn’t. 😛
THE LIPS! I don’t even use lipbalms and one day I looked at my lips and they’re horribly crepe-y. EEEK!
Oh my goodness, I forgot about the lips! I haven’t found a good SPF lipbalm that I like though. When you do, let me know?
Me either. The closest would be blistex. But I want something thicker and more long lasting!
I’ve tried the ones from Blistex. Didn’t like them. 🙁
I like Jack Black lip balm. It has SPF25 and is long lasting to me. You might want to try that. 🙂
Hang on, the Jack Black lipbalm has SPF? I have that and I didn’t even know! *facepalm*
id add that in some parts of the word it is possible to get a sunburn through light weight, breathable clothing. So if your belly or back feels weirdly irritated and you live close to the equator, it’s worth giving your whole body a coat if you’re gonna be out doors all day.
Good one, Ami. I forget that too!
Oh my gosh Tine, I have never ever applied sunscreen to those areas you mentioned haha It’s never even crossed my mind. BTW thanks again for the doggy pet hotel rec, my puppy came back pretty happy and they even bathed him!!
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Hahaha good to know Kerri! Yeah they’re great; can’t recommend them enough. 🙂
The ears! I always forget the ears! *sighs* Thanks for the reminder.
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Me too! Forgot that my ears are also attached to my head 😛 😛 😛
Unless I’m going to the beach I pretty much never remember to put on sunscreen-I guess it’s a good thing I spend 85% of my day indoors at work 😀
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Sunscreen is still a must even though you spend most of your day indoors! *nudge nudge* 🙂
I don’t see myself putting sunscreen in my armpits, even if sleeveless I don’t think they’d get much sunlight unless I was walking around with my hands in the air. Perhaps if laying on a beach with my hands behind my head?
I didn’t even think of armpits until I watched a video by Fleur de Force talking about applying sunscreens on armpits. I reckon this is useful for those who like to hang out at the beach and cross their arms behind their heads? 😛
I live in the south of India and summers here are awful! I wear a really high spf (55, PA+++) and reapply. I apply in all the places you have mentioned and also wear long sleeved clothes & use an umbrella. And I still tan horribly! WTH?! I really don’t understand why. Yesterday I noticed that I have tan lines near my bra strap – this even as I have never exposed that area. 🙁
I have now given up. I wear the sunscreen and ignore the horrible, uneven tan (my face & neck are different shades). At least I don’t burn.
Keep up with the sunscreen. Sometimes our skin does things to us that we don’t even know. Good idea to use an umbrella too. I use it hear when it’s sunny and people look at me funny. :-/
I got really burnt one time on my ears and ever sense I usually start there! It was so painful.
OUCH! I can’t imagine sunburned ears 🙁