Sun Safety Beyond the Basics: Covering Every Neglected Spot
Summer is in full swing, and by now, you’ve probably heard it a million times: wear sunscreen. Still, even the most diligent SPF warriors sometimes find themselves with a little unintended sun-kissed evidence. Case in point: I recently woke up to a mild sunburn… right on my top lip. I wasn’t shocked because I forgot sunscreen exists—I just hadn’t thought this particular spot needed protection.
It made me realize: even with a meticulous four-step lip routine, there are places we routinely skimp on SPF. We slather our arms, legs, and face, but our ears, feet, eyelids, lips, and scalp often get forgotten. If I’m guilty here, chances are you might be too. Below, I’ve rounded up the products and strategies I now swear by for truly full-coverage sun defense.
Lips: The Tiny Canvas
Lip sunscreen can be tricky. Many formulas taste like chemicals rather than candy, making them hard to enjoy. Enter Prequel Lip Visors—available in clear and dusty rose, they smell refreshingly minty and carry a hint of sweetness when over-applied. Naturium’s Phyto-Glow Balms offer one clear option plus four subtle, neutral shades; my personal favorite is Getaway, a nude rose that complements most skin tones.
If you prefer a slightly more pigmented finish, Innbeauty Sun Balms have you covered, with Latte giving a milk-chocolate hue with a touch of pink. For those who want more opacity and an antioxidant boost, BeautyStat offers peach and baby-pink versions infused with l-ascorbic acid, plus a nostalgic orange-creamsicle scent.
Eyelids: Tricky but Crucial
Protecting your eyelids without irritation is an art. Sunscreen often stings or causes watering, which makes frequent application unpleasant. The solution? Some smart K-beauty shopping. Beauty of Joseon’s Relief Sun and Round Lab’s Birch UVLock are lightweight, non-runny, and face-wide formulas. The best part: one product protects both your face and delicate eyelids, eliminating the need for multiple creams.
Hands and Feet: SPF Everywhere
Even if you reapply body sunscreen diligently, hands and feet often get overlooked. Naked Sundays Antioxidant Crème has changed the game for me: thick, silky, and SPF-packed, it works beautifully on hands. I’ve extended its use to the tops of my feet, which peek out from ballet flats and catch more rays than expected.
On days I don’t want to lug a lotion bottle, Tula’s SPF 50 stick fits perfectly in my bag, letting me swipe SPF on hands and feet in seconds. No fuss, no mess.
Ears: The Often-Forgotten Appendages
I’ll admit it: ears are technically part of the face, but for some reason, I never extend face sunscreen over them. My workaround? After applying Naked Sundays on my hands, I dab leftover cream onto my ears. Call it quirky, call it practical—it works. For those who prefer a more systematic approach, the aforementioned K-beauty sunscreens will cover ears as well.
Scalp: The Hidden Danger
The scalp is easy to neglect until it’s angry and red. Prevention is simple: wear a baseball cap or invest in brush-on sunscreen. Supergoop! Poof SPF 35 is designed specifically for the scalp, while Colorescience face sticks can also double as dry shampoo, controlling shine and protecting skin at the same time.
For a lighter, more casual option, Coola SPF 30 mist works—but only if your hair isn’t color-treated, since some sprays can fade dyed strands.
The Takeaway
Sunscreen isn’t just a morning ritual for the face, arms, and legs. True sun protection means addressing every often-overlooked area: lips, eyelids, hands, feet, ears, and scalp. A few thoughtful products make this manageable, transforming sun care from a tedious chore into a satisfying daily ritual.
After all, there’s nothing worse than realizing too late that the sun claimed territory you didn’t even know was exposed. Cover it all, enjoy the summer, and let your skin thank you later.
