I forget every year. There are always a few days when things seem to overlap, but there are usually only a few. So it’s easy to forget.
What goes on first? Sunscreen, or insect repellent?
Hopefully, the day gets hot enough you don’t have to worry about this dilemma. But there is a proper order. Although I think a lot of people are just guessing.
The sunscreen is supposed to go first. Then a bit of bug spray. And, since sunscreen is one of those things you are supposed to use often, you may end up putting more on before you need more insect repellent.
But there have been studies that indicate the human body can absorb more DEET if you put the bug spray on first. Since the object is to repel bugs, not you, you probably don’t want to do that. You want the DEET to stay on the outside.
Then there’s the whole timing thing. You don’t really need sunscreen early in the morning. The sun tends to not hit “burn you to a crisp” level until about 10:00 AM or so. But bugs can be early risers. So you may need bug spray long before the sunscreen. But the bug spray can reduce the effectiveness of the sunscreen.
So sunscreen should come first and more often. Bug spray can come later, after the sunscreen has dried well. At least, that is the theory.
Like I say, I find it hard to remember. So I tend to put the wrong thing on first.
As long as you can avoid getting both burnt and bit, I guess that’s the main thing. And if you need both sunscreen and bug spray, that’s probably a good thing. It means the weather is pretty good. So it’s a good problem to have.
