It’s summer time! At the risk of sounding like your mother, we’re here to remind you of the importance of wearing sunscreen. We know you know it’s important, but let’s be honest—how much SPF are you wearing as you read this? If you’re a sunscreen expert, you can skip this post. If you aren’t protecting yourself from the sun, though, we have some information that will get you through this summer with as minimal burning as possible. Here’s the what, when, where, and why of sunscreen:

What: Sunscreens provide barriers to the UVA and UVB radiation that comes from the sun. Exposure to radiation increases your chances of sun damage and cancer. When it comes to choosing which sunscreen you want, you can pick between a chemical-based sunscreen, or a physical one. There are pros and cons to each, which you can learn about here.

When: You should wear sunscreen every time you leave your place of residence. If you’re thinking, okay, but I do have a desk job where I’m always indoors, you’re still not off the hook! Even on your commute to work, whether that’s a walk to the train or a 15-minute drive in your car, you are exposed to the sun. A little bit of time outside might not seem all that bad, but trust us—that time adds up.

Make sure you’re reapplying your sunscreen every two hours. This might seem like a daunting task to makeup-wearers, but there are really great powder products that let you do this!

Where: Apply your sunscreen anywhere that will be exposed to the sun.

Why: It’s almost unbelievable how much good wearing sunscreen does for you. Not only does wearing sunscreen protect you from cancer, sunscreen also protects your skin from being damaged with wrinkles and other signs of premature aging. Incorporating a sunscreen (and a face lotion with SPF!) into your daily routine will save you down the road, so get to it!