NewsHealthNHSMany of us have been getting this sun cream rule wrong14:13, 16 Jul 2026The NHS has issued a sunscreen warning, as many of us are making mistakes that leave skin "exposed". Too much sun can lead to sunburn, which is not only painful and unsightly, but also increases your risk of skin cancer.‌Sunburn does not just happen on holiday, and amid the UK's latest heatwave it is vital to regularly apply sun cream. The NHS also advises spending time in the shade when the sun is at its strongest - usually between 11am-3pm in the UK from March to October.‌There are five common mistakes people make when using sunscreen, according to the NHS. These include not putting sunscreen on at the right time - and only applying it once.‌NHS guidance states that you need to put sun cream on 30 minutes before going out, and then again just before going out. Another error is not reapplying after being in the water, and failing to reapply every two hours is also a no-no.Content cannot be displayed without consentArticle continues belowMistake number four, according to NHS chiefs, is using out-of-date sunscreen, as this is ineffective and won't provide adequate sun protection. Finally, relying on sun cream alone to protect from the sun is a common mistake.You should also avoid the sun when it's at its hottest, spend plenty of time in the shade, and wear suitable clothing. Further guidance found on the NHS website explains that you should use a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to protect against UVB, and that the label should also show it has at least 4-star UVA protection.Children aged under six months should be kept out of direct strong sunlight.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌NHSHeatwaveSkin cancer