Sunscreen or Stick: What Matters for UV Protection

Paris – 02.08.2026: With the start of the holiday season, sunscreen sticks are increasingly being marketed as a handy alternative to traditional sunscreen. The solid products can be applied precisely, for example to the nose, ears, lips, cheeks, hands or bald areas of the head. They fit into small bags and do not leave cream on the hands. However, lotions or creams are generally better suited for extensive protection.

What matters less is the form of application than sufficient protection against UVB and UVA rays. The sun protection factor primarily describes protection against UVB radiation, which causes sunburn. UVA radiation penetrates deeper into the skin, accelerates skin aging and also increases the risk of skin cancer. Consumers should therefore look for clearly stated broad-spectrum protection.

The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, Anses, warns that many people use significantly less sunscreen than the amount with which the stated protective effect was tested. This difference can be particularly large with sticks. On small areas, they allow precise application; on arms, legs, back or chest, however, it is more difficult to achieve an even and sufficiently thick layer.

For the entire body of an average adult, Anses gives around 36 grams of lotion as a guideline, equivalent to approximately six teaspoons. Cream or lotion must be distributed over all uncovered areas of skin, including the ears, neck and tops of the feet. A stick can supplement this basic protection when individual areas of the face need to be protected again after swimming, sports or drying off.

Price also plays a role in the purchasing decision. According to pharmacists cited by Franceinfo, sticks are more expensive per milliliter than traditional sunscreens. The compact container is therefore particularly useful for targeted application. Anyone needing to protect large areas of skin will use up the product quickly and may still not achieve complete coverage.

A high sun protection factor is not a substitute for sensible behavior in the sun. Anses classifies SPF 50 and 50+ as a high level of protection, but points out that even such products do not provide complete protection. Shade, covering clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses remain important. Infants and young children should, wherever possible, not be exposed to direct sunlight.

Sunscreen must also be reapplied regularly: approximately every two hours, as well as after swimming, heavy sweating or drying off. For many holidaymakers, a combination is therefore likely to be practical: cream or lotion for the body, and a stick for sensitive, small or difficult-to-apply areas while on the go.