Stay protected and have fun in the sun

Sunscreen and insect repellent both need to go on the skin. But they have different effects, different risks, and different frequencies of application. It can seem like a bit of puzzle as to which to put on first.

You may wonder whether it’s better just to use a combined sunscreen and insect repellent product. There are a few problems with that: Insect repellent is potentially toxic and can be absorbed more easily if mixed with sunscreen, sunscreen can be less effective in a combination product, and sunscreen needs to be reapplied much more often than insect repellent – in fact, it’s not really safe to apply insect repellent as often as you need to apply sunscreen.

What to do? Apply the sunscreen first, SPF 15, 30, or higher, according to directions – two tablespoons to cover the body, with a nickel-sized amount on the face. Cover every area that might be exposed to the sun. Once that’s on, apply the insect repellent, but only as much as you need to cover exposed skin, and keep it away from your face and any open cuts. Use a repellent that’s 10% to 25% DEET – but for kids, no more than 10% DEET.

And then? After every two hours, reapply the sunscreen – yes, over top of the insect repellent. Only reapply the insect repellent as often as the instructions say, probably every several hours. And once you come back inside, wash it off.