What's In My Jar

Sun Protection Playbook

Master daily SPF habits and protect your skin from UV damage.

This playbook is for you if you have:

  • Everyone (yes, even cloudy days)
  • Especially if using retinoids or acids
  • Preventing photoaging and skin damage

Keep in mind:

  • No sunscreen is 100% protective
  • Reapply every 2 hours in direct sun
  • Seek shade during peak UV hours (10am-4pm)

Daily Routine Skeleton

Morning (AM)

1
Cleanse

daily

2
Treat Optional

Antioxidant serum (optional boost)

daily

3
Moisturize Optional

Or skip if SPF is moisturizing

daily

4
SPF

Broad spectrum SPF 30-50+

daily – last skincare step

Evening (PM)

1
Oil Cleanse

Dissolve sunscreen

daily

2
Water Cleanse

Remove residue

daily

3
Treat

Your regular PM actives

daily

4
Moisturize

daily

Tip: Start simple. You don't need every step right away. Master the basics (cleanse, moisturize, SPF) before adding treatment steps.

Top Actives for This Goal

These ingredients have the strongest evidence for this skin goal. You don't need all of them – pick 1-2 to start.

Zinc Oxide (Mineral SPF)

Also called: zinc oxide, mineral sunscreen, physical sunscreen

Broad spectrum mineral filter; gentle on sensitive skin.

UV protectionsensitive skin friendly
Effective: 10–25%
Usage: Daily AM, reapply every 2 hours in sun
Low irritation
Find products Learn more

Titanium Dioxide (Mineral SPF)

Also called: titanium dioxide, mineral sunscreen

UVB protection; often combined with zinc oxide.

UVB protectionsensitive skin friendly
Usage: Daily AM, reapply every 2 hours in sun
Low irritation
Find products Learn more

Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid)

Also called: ascorbic acid, l-ascorbic acid, vitamin C

Boosts photoprotection when used under SPF.

brightnessantioxidant protectionuneven tone
Effective: 10–20%
Usage: Daily in AM (best before sunscreen)
Low irritation
Find products Learn more

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)

Also called: niacinamide, nicotinamide, vitamin B3

Supports skin after UV exposure.

pore appearancebarrier supportuneven toneoil control
Effective: 2–10%
Usage: Daily, AM or PM
Low irritation
Find products Learn more

Reading Path

0/4 completed

Read these articles in order for a complete understanding. Mark them as read to track your progress.

the ultimate guide to sunscreens and sun protection

Everything about sunscreen types

10 min read Read article

the dark side of lightweight sunscreens

Why elegant formulas may fall short

6 min read Read article

do i need sunscreen for indirect sunlight

Indoor and cloudy day protection

5 min read Read article

the ultimate guide to skin cleansing

How to properly remove sunscreen

7 min read Read article

Ready to Take Action?

Use our tools to build your personalized routine and find the right products.

Build a routineDecode ingredientsFind sunscreens

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Anti-Aging

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Even Skin Tone

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Sensitivity & Redness

Calm reactive skin, reduce redness, and rebuild tolerance to products.

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