The Places Most People Forget Sunscreen and Why They Matter More Than You Think
The Most Commonly Missed Areas When Applying Sunscreen Every Day for Better UV Protection
One of the questions I'm asked most often is whether people are applying enough sunscreen and whether they're applying it to the right places. My answer usually surprises them. Most people aren't applying sunscreen incorrectly. They're simply forgetting a few of the areas that need it most. In fact, one of the biggest sunscreen application mistakes I see is overlooking the areas that receive everyday sun exposure.
I've watched friends, family, and even complete strangers carefully cover their face, shoulders, and arms before heading outside, genuinely believing they've done everything right. The reality is they've often overlooked some of the most vulnerable areas of their body, not because they don't care, but because they're simply following habit.
We're all creatures of habit. We naturally focus on the areas we see in the mirror and tend to forget the ones that don't immediately catch our attention. After years of working in skincare and countless conversations with dermatologists, travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, and everyday consumers, I've realized almost everyone has a few "forgotten zones." The good news is that they're easy to correct once you become aware of them.
When most people think about daily sunscreen, broad spectrum sunscreen, or daily sun protection, they immediately think about protecting their face. That's understandable because it's the most visible part of our body and usually the first place we notice changes from UV exposure and sun exposure. But your daily skincare routineshouldn't stop at your jawline.
I've always encouraged people to think of their face, neck, and ears as one complete area. They age together, they're exposed together, and they deserve the same level of care. If you've ever noticed someone with a youthful looking face but significant sun damage on their neck, you've seen firsthand why this matters. The neck receives UV exposurealmost every day while driving, walking outdoors, gardening, or simply enjoying lunch on a patio, yet it's one of the most commonly overlooked areas during a morning skincare routine. It's also one of the most forgotten places when people ask me where to apply sunscreen.
The same can be said for our hands.
I've often thought that our hands quietly tell the story of our lives. They're constantly exposed while we drive, travel, work outdoors, carry groceries, garden, or simply go about our daily routines. Yet many of us spend considerable time caring for the skin on our face while completely forgetting the skin on our hands.
If you're taking the time to moisturize your hands, it makes perfect sense to protect them with a broad spectrum sunscreen as well. Your hands receive some of the most consistent daily sun exposure of any part of your body.
Our ears are another area that rarely gets much attention. Because they don't command our attention in the mirror, they're easy to overlook. Whether you're golfing, hiking, boating, fishing, or simply walking the dog, your ears receive direct sunlight just like the rest of your face. They're small, but they're certainly not insignificant.
The same is true for our lips. The skin on our lips is incredibly delicate, yet many people never think about protecting it from the sun. Incorporating an SPF lip balm into your daily routine is one of the simplest habits you can adopt, especially if you spend a significant amount of time outdoors.
Depending on your hairstyle, your scalp can also become an unexpected source of sun exposure. Anyone with thinning hair or a defined part knows how easily the scalp can burn after spending time outside. Wearing a hat offers excellent UV protection during extended outdoor activities, but when that's not practical, it's worth paying attention to any exposed areas of your scalp.
Then there are the places we almost never think about until after we've spent the day outside. The tops of our feet spend the entire summer in sandals, flip flops, around pools, on beaches, and aboard boats, yet they're often forgotten completely, making them one of the most common sunscreen mistakes people make. Behind the knees is another area people rarely consider until they've spent hours stretched out on a lounge chair or relaxing by the pool.
None of these areas require dramatically changing your routine. They simply require slowing down for a moment before you walk out the door. Sometimes the best sunscreen tips are also the simplest.
That's one of the things I've come to appreciate most about skincare. Success isn't about perfection. It's about awareness.
You're probably going to miss a spot occasionally. We all do. The goal isn't to become obsessive or anxious about every inch of exposed skin. It's simply to become a little more intentional each morning. Over time, those small adjustments become habits, and those habits eventually become second nature.
People sometimes assume that because I founded a skincare company, I must have an elaborate morning routine. The truth is it's remarkably simple. I cleanse my skin, apply moisturizer, and finish with a broad spectrum mineral sunscreen on my face, neck, ears, and hands. If I know I'll be spending more time outdoors, I make sure every exposed area is covered before I leave the house. That's my approach to daily sun protection.
The entire process takes only a few minutes, yet it's one of the most valuable investments I make in my skin each day.
I've always compared sunscreen to fastening your seatbelt. We don't buckle up because we expect something to go wrong every time we get into the car. We do it because we understand the value of protecting ourselves. Daily sunscreen follows that same philosophy. Daily sun protection is one of the simplest and healthiest habits you can build. It's not about expecting the worst. It's about making one thoughtful decision today that benefits you for years to come.
The next time you finish applying sunscreen, pause for just a few extra seconds and ask yourself one simple question.
"What else is exposed?"
That quick mental checklist is usually all it takes to remind you about your neck, ears, hands, lips, scalp, or the tops of your feet. Those small adjustments require very little additional effort, yet over time they can make a meaningful difference in your daily sunscreen routine, your overall UV protection, and how consistently you protect your skin.
One of the things I love most about skincare is that meaningful improvements rarely come from dramatic changes. More often, they come from paying attention to the details and building habits that quietly become part of your everyday life.
Healthy skin isn't built through perfection. It's built through thoughtful choices repeated consistently over time.
Applying broad spectrum sunscreen every day, remembering the places most people forget, and making daily sun protection part of your routine are simple habits that can help protect your skin for years to come.
And in my experience, those are the habits that stay with us for life.
Sun Responsibly ☀️
Sarah Miller, CEO & Founder,