Most people believe they use sunscreen properly, but health experts say many still apply too little or forget to reapply often enough. As August brings some of the strongest sun exposure of the year, protecting your skin remains just as important as it was at the start of summer.

Dermatologists recommend choosing a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Apply it at least fifteen minutes before going outdoors and make sure to cover commonly missed areas like the ears, scalp, shoulders, lips, and the backs of the legs. Lip balm with SPF protection can help prevent sun damage to sensitive skin around the mouth.

How sunscreen is applied matters, too. Lotion sunscreen should be used generously, about a shot glass amount for the entire body. Spray sunscreen should be applied until the skin visibly glistens, then rubbed in evenly for full coverage. Sunscreen sticks require several passes over the skin to provide proper protection.

Most importantly, sunscreen does not last all day. Reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating.