how much SPF to use in winter

How Much SPF Should You Wear in Winter? Doctor Explains

Sunday 26th Oct 2025 |

Doctor Reveals How Much SPF to Use During Winter

Autumn is officially here and now that summer is behind us, but the need for sunscreen doesn’t fade away with the warmer weather. Understanding the correct amount of sunscreen to use during the colder months is essential to protect your skin from harmful UV radiation.

Recent data has shown a significant increase in searches for ‘how much sunscreen to use on face’ by +250% and ‘what SPF to use’ by +320% across the UK in the past 30 days, So, clearly, many Brits are concerned that they may not be applying enough sunscreen during the autumn/winter season. 

In fact, approximately 60% of UK adults are unsure about the correct amount of sunscreen to use when venturing outside, which is a very worrying statistic from a sun safety perspective.

To address these concerns and ensure that everyone is well informed, Cult Beauty has teamed up with Dr. Deborah Lee, Dr Fox Pharmacy to share how much SPF you should apply during the winter months:

How Much Sunscreen to Use:

how much SPF to use in winter
  • Face and Neck: Apply two teaspoons.
  • Arms: Use two teaspoons in total, one teaspoon for each arm.
  • Legs: Apply two teaspoons in total, one teaspoon for each leg.
  • Chest and Stomach: Use two teaspoons.
  • Back and Shoulders: Apply two teaspoons.

Here’s how to apply sunscreen correctly:

Applying SPF should be a non-negotiable step in your skincare regime, even during the winter months. However, there are many uncertainties when it comes to how to apply SPF the right way, by following these simple tips you won’t go wrong:

  • Before you do anything, shake your sunscreen bottle. This will help break up any clumping that occurs over time.
  • Use the three-finger rule when applying it to the face. Gently tap the formula all over your face, ears, and neck rather than just rubbing it all on to avoid irritation and to ensure a smoother application.
  • When applying to your body, smear small evenly sized dots over all areas exposed to the sun. Gently massage the sunscreen in, until you can’t see it anymore. Remember not to forget those sneaky spots that are easy to miss like the neck and the back of your hands and feet.
  • If you are heading outside, allow the formula to soak into your skin for at least 15 minutes before heading outdoors.

For all your SPF staples shop here: https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/spf-tanning.list


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