Sunscreen applied in the morning wears off during the day through sweat and contact; on days spent outdoors, protection depends on reapplying. The stick format is designed for reapplying without having to put product into your palm.
In short: A sunscreen stick is mainly for reapplying during the day: it is applied directly to the skin, area by area, without putting product into your palm, and each area is covered completely by going over it more than once. Because the amount cannot be measured, a cream or fluid is better for the first layer in the morning. Do not leave a stick in direct sun or in a hot car.
How is a sunscreen stick different from a cream?
The difference lies not in the level of protection but in how it is applied: protection is determined by the SPF value on the label, use by the format. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that directions for use can vary by format and recommends reading the label. In a routine, the two formats divide the work like this:
| Topic | Cream or fluid | Stick |
|---|---|---|
| Place in the routine | First layer in the morning | Reapplying during the day |
| Amount | Can be measured | Cannot be measured; coverage is built up with several passes |
| Application | Put into the palm and spread with the fingers | Applied directly to the skin, area by area |
| Over make-up | Needs rubbing to spread | Can be applied without prolonged rubbing |
| Small areas | Reached with the fingers | The tip reaches the ears, nose and hairline directly |
For the first layer in the morning, you can choose a format you can measure, such as Just Protected From Sun SPF 50+ Hybrid Sunscreen, and a stick for reapplying during the day. You can see which format suits which need in the comparison table in our hybrid sunscreen guide.
How do you use a sunscreen stick?
- Pat dry. If you have been sweating or have just come out of the water, gently pat your face dry with a towel.
- Apply area by area. Glide the stick over your forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, ears and neck in turn; avoid contact with the eyes.
- Complete the coverage. Go over each area more than once; gently work any gaps in with your fingertips.
If you are wearing make-up, apply the stick with short strokes without pressing. We have covered when to apply the first layer and how often to reapply in our article how much sunscreen to apply and how often.
How do you apply enough with a stick?
With a stick, the right amount comes not from measuring but from complete coverage. The minimum of one teaspoon that the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends for the face can be measured into your palm with a cream, but cannot be seen with a stick. This is why you go over each area more than once and apply the first layer in the morning with a format you can measure.
What should you look for on the label when choosing a sunscreen stick?
When choosing a stick, what matters is the protection information on the label, not the format. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher that is broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) and water-resistant.
| On the label | What does it tell you? |
|---|---|
| SPF value | Mainly the level of protection against UVB; the AAD recommends at least SPF 30 |
| Broad spectrum | Protection against both UVA and UVB |
| Water resistant (40 or 80 minutes) | According to the FDA, how many minutes protection lasts in water or while sweating; reapply when the time is up |
| Directions for use | Can vary by format; read the reapplication directions on the label |
A stick makes reapplying easier; it does not take away the need to reapply. According to the FDA, there is no such thing as “waterproof” sunscreen; all sunscreens come off the skin over time. The label features above are the AAD's general recommendation; the claims a sunscreen carries are shown on its label. For the measurable first layer in the morning, choose an SPF 50+ cream to suit your skin type: Just Protected From Sun, with hybrid filters and a fluid texture, for dry and normal skin (sensitive skin is also among the skin types recommended on its label; begin by trying it on a small area), and Matte's Up?, with its matte finish, for oily and combination skin. If you use Crush On Pink SPF 50+ Pink-Tinted Sunscreen as a make-up base, you can reapply with a stick over your make-up. You will find all the options in our collection of SPF 50+ sunscreens. Whether make-up with SPF can replace sunscreen is covered in our article preparing your skin before make-up.
How should you store a sunscreen stick?
Keep the stick away from direct sun and heat. The FDA recommends not leaving sunscreen containers in direct sun and, if you will be outside in the heat for a long time, wrapping the container in a towel or keeping it in the shade. It also reminds you not to leave cosmetics in a hot car; heat can cause the preservatives in a product to break down. Do not use a product past its expiry date.
Who should take care?
- Sensitive skin: a stick touches the skin directly and is applied to the same area several times a day. If you are using one for the first time, try it on a small area before moving on to your whole face; if stinging, redness or itching starts where you applied it, wash off the residue with your cleanser and stop using the stick on that area.
- Babies and young children: the FDA does not recommend sunscreen for babies under six months. Consult your doctor before using it on babies and young children.
Frequently asked questions
How do you apply a stick evenly on the face?
On the forehead and cheeks, glide the stick in short strokes that touch each other, go over the same area once more and fill in the gaps with your fingertips.
How do you use a stick on small areas (ears, nose)?
Apply the tip directly to the ears, the bridge of the nose, the hairline and the back of the neck. The FDA lists these among commonly missed areas and recommends a lip balm with SPF for the lips.
Can you share a sunscreen stick?
Do not share it. A stick touches the skin directly; the FDA recommends not sharing make-up products and keeping containers clean.
Can you use a sunscreen stick during pregnancy?
A sunscreen stick is a product applied directly to the skin and reapplied to the same areas several times a day. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a skin condition, consult your doctor before use. Because it is a product applied again and again throughout the day, also show your doctor the ingredient list on the pack. If you have persistent redness, flaking or an open wound on your face, also talk to your doctor about it before applying the stick to that area.
Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Shelf Life and Expiration Dating of Cosmetics.
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). How to apply sunscreen.
This content is for information only and does not replace medical advice. s'hevec products are cosmetic products and are not intended for medical treatment. It was prepared by the s'hevec Team on the basis of the s'hevec product data library and the sources listed above.
