If you’re getting ready to spend time outdoors, make sure you’re not overlooking sunscreen on these seven commonly forgotten areas — including your lips, the tops of your hands, and the back of your neck. Many people wonder, Can I use face sunscreen on my body to simplify their routine? While that can be convenient in certain situations, proper coverage of all exposed skin is what truly helps prevent sunburn and long-term damage.
No matter how diligent you are, there always seems to be one small patch of skin that gets missed during sunscreen application. Unfortunately, you may not realize it until later — when you’re dealing with redness, tenderness, and peeling from a preventable sunburn.
Even individuals who are consistent with SPF use can experience unexpected burns. Often, it’s because certain body parts are easier to overlook or are areas where sunscreen rubs off quickly without notice.
Any skin that becomes sunburned is vulnerable to cumulative UV damage and may face an increased risk of developing abnormal cells over time.
“I’ve definitely seen a few locations in the development of skin cancer that can be due to being missed by sunscreen application daily, but also areas that tend to have sunscreen rub off easily and not be as effective where people forget to reapply,” says Michael Kassardjian, DO, board certified dermatologist.
“In general, with sunscreens, people should look to use broad-spectrum sunscreens of SPF 30 or higher daily, and the key is to reapply every two hours,” he adds.
While avoiding a painful sunburn is important, the broader objective of daily sun protection is reducing the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging. Below are some of the most frequently neglected spots — and how to better protect them.
Sides and back of neck
“People may be good with applying sunscreen to their face, but an area that often can be neglected is the neck,” says Dr. Kassardjian.
Although the entire neck requires SPF — including the front portion shaded by your jaw — the sides and back are especially exposed to ultraviolet radiation.
“I’ve surgically removed many basal cell, squamous cell, and even melanoma skin cancers from the sides and the back of the neck, which could be prevented with the regular use of sunscreen,” says Dr. Kassardjian.
“The sides of the neck, especially in cities like Los Angeles (left side more than the right typically), can be affected over the years from driving, as this is a common location that the sun hits day in and day out.”
Prevention
Begin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 30 or higher. If you anticipate sweating or swimming, choose a water-resistant formula.
“Apply your sunscreen to the neck, starting in the front, then to the sides of the neck, and all the way to the hairline in the back. This will ensure that you’re covering the area well,” says Dr. Kassardjian.
For added defense, consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat or a hat with a protective neck flap to shield both your neck and face.
Upper chest
This refers to the section of your chest just above your T-shirt line and directly below your neck — around the collarbone area.
“For my friends and patients who are runners, this is an area that seems to be more frequently overlooked,” says Rajani Katta, MD, board certified dermatologist and author of “Glow: The Dermatologist’s Guide to a Whole Foods Younger Skin Diet.”
“While they’ll usually remember to do a great job with sunblock on their face, it can be harder to remember to protect your neck and upper chest. Even though you may be wearing a T-shirt, that still leaves the upper part of your chest exposed,” says Dr. Katta.
This exposure is even more pronounced when wearing V-neck or scoop-neck tops, which leave delicate skin vulnerable to UV damage and photoaging.
Prevention
Apply an extra layer of sunscreen to this region or opt for a high-neck, sun-protective shirt, advises Dr. Katta. Clothing designed with UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) can provide additional coverage beyond sunscreen alone.
Lips
“Lips are often an area that is missed when protecting from the sun and are chronically exposed to UV rays,” says Dr. Kassardjian. A sunburn on the lips can be especially painful and slow to heal.
“We do see quite a bit of skin cancers on the lip, and these skin cancers can become more aggressive [and] require surgical treatment, so prevention is key,” he explains.
Prevention
Choose lip balms or lip-specific sunscreens formulated with sun protection.
Dr. Kassardjian recommends selecting a lip sunscreen containing zinc oxide. Some of his preferred options include:
- EltaMD Skincare lip balm
- Neutrogena lip moisturizer with sunscreen
- Colorescience lip shine
- La Roche-Posay USA Anthelios lipstick
Tip: If you notice a persistent rough, scaly area or a sore that does not improve with standard lip care products, seek evaluation from a health professional.
Tops of hands
“The tops of the hands are especially susceptible to long-term UV damage and risk of skin cancer and premature aging due to driving,” says Dr. Kassardjian. Even when it’s cloudy, UV rays can penetrate and affect exposed skin, particularly during outdoor activities.
Shielding your hands can help prevent painful burns as well as signs of premature aging, such as sun spots and thinning skin.
Prevention
“Before heading out, your regular daily sunscreen can be applied to the back of the hands. Most importantly, rub it in well throughout for good base protection. This base application of sunscreen in the morning will help cover all the areas well before you start your day, but the reapplication is where other recommendations come in for easier use,” says Dr. Kassardjian.
Because hands are washed and used frequently, reapplying sunscreen here is essential, as it can easily wear off. For convenience, Dr. Kassardjian suggests stick or powder sunscreen formulations.
“Whatever people will be more likely to use (like the feel, easy to carry), I would recommend. I particularly like the stick sunscreens. The stick application can make it easier, especially for reapplication, as you can neatly reapply on the tops of your hands before heading back outside, and they are easy to carry around.”
Recommended brands include Neutrogena, Avene, Supergoop, and La Roche-Posay Anthelios, though any product that fits your skin type and budget is acceptable.
If you prefer powder sunscreen, apply it after using an initial base sunscreen layer.
“Powder sunscreens are another option that can help people remember to reapply, especially if those powders are being used on the face,” Dr. Kassardjian says. Colorescience is one of his top picks for powder sunscreen.
“The powder is very easy to reapply on the tops of the hands and goes on dry. The reason it would not be my first choice to apply on the backs of the hands first thing… is due to the fact that with powders, you may be more susceptible to miss some areas when applying it, so my personal preference is it’s great for reapplication.”
Tops of ears
“This is an area that we see many skin cancers develop and is an area that is forgotten when applying sunscreen,” says Dr. Kassardjian. “Not only the ears themselves but behind the ears as well, especially behind that left ear for those people that are commuting long distances daily as they will have constant exposure to those UV rays.”
A baseball cap may shade your scalp but typically leaves your ears exposed, unlike a wide-brimmed hat that offers more complete coverage.
Prevention
Always smooth sunscreen over the tops and backs of your ears. Adding a wide-brimmed hat provides additional protection for both your ears and face.
“It’s really important to find a wide-brimmed hat that you like and will wear, whether that’s a fishing hat, a sun hat, a cowboy hat, or another option,” says Dr. Katta. “If you’re just not going to wear a hat, then you need to be extra generous with your sunblock on the tops of the ears.”
Tops of feet
Most people have either experienced or seen severely sunburned feet — a situation that can make wearing shoes uncomfortable or even impossible.
Whether you’re at the beach, on a boat, or walking a hiking trail, the tops of your feet are easy to forget, especially if you’re wearing flip-flops or sandals.
However, this skin is just as vulnerable to ultraviolet exposure as any other part of your body.
Prevention
“If you’re wearing sandals, the rule is sunblock first, sandals second,” says Dr. Katta.
Use a thicker, waterproof sunscreen if your feet will be exposed to water or sand. Reapply after swimming or at least every two hours during continued sun exposure.
Midriff
“With the current fashion trends, I’m seeing more women wearing midriff-baring tops in the summer,” says Dr. Katta. “While my patients are generally pretty careful when they’re wearing bikinis at the beach, they may not think about their exposed midriff when they’re on a city street.”
Activities like bending over during yardwork can also expose the midriff and lower back without you realizing it.
Prevention
“This is an area where sunblock is key,” says Dr. Katta. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and remember to reapply every two hours when outdoors.
If you’re streamlining your routine and wondering, Can I use face sunscreen on my body, the answer depends on the formula and how much coverage you need. Facial sunscreens are often formulated for sensitive skin and may be suitable for smaller exposed areas. For more detailed guidance, including considerations for breakouts, see Can you use body sunscreen on your face everyday and Can you use body sunscreen on your face everyday for acne.
Takeaway
The sun’s ultraviolet rays are powerful, and nearly everyone will experience sun exposure throughout life.
Certain spots — such as the tops of your ears, backs of your hands, sides and back of your neck, lips, and feet — are particularly easy to overlook during sunscreen application.
To reduce your risk of sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and reapply every two hours when outside. Pair sunscreen with sun-protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat for more comprehensive coverage.
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