Everything You Need to Know About Wearing a Face Mask and Sunscreen

Do you still need to wear sunscreen with a mask? The short answer is yes. Skin care experts recommend applying sunscreen every day even while wearing a mask. Besides, there are times you won't have your mask on.

"I would love to say that we all wear our masks 100 percent of the time," says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rita Linkner. "But in reality we all take breaks, especially outdoors, and so it's best practice to continue to apply sunscreen on your entire face." Don't forget to apply sunscreen to your neck, lips, back of hands and the top of your ears.

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marnie B. Nussbaum notes that seasonal activities, like eating outdoors, swimming, running and playing outside, can leave skin more exposed. So she suggests continuing your usual sunscreen regimen.

A good broad spectrum SPF offers extra benefits. Vice President of Product Development at Algenist Tammy Yaiser explains that broad spectrum SPF products protect from UVA rays, which are responsible for photoaging, and UVB rays, which cause sunburns. She suggests Algenist Sublime Defense Ultra Lightweight UV Defense Fluid SPF 50, $28.

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