Hailey Bieber follows the two-finger sunscreen rule, and so should you

The more the better

Holly Berckelman

4 min read

October 9, 2023 - 11:17AM

There's a reason Hailey's skin looks good. And it all comes down to sunscreen. Image: Instagram

Lifestyle

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Do you know how much sunscreen you should be applying? Hailey Bieber does, and she's giving us all a good reminder in a new video where she demonstrates the two-finger sunscreen rule.

It’s no secret that Hailey Bieber is one of the most prolific influencers of our time.

She’s long been a style icon, with people around the world flocking to buy the latest outfits she’s spotted in, and brands rushing to dupe them. And with the launch of her own beauty brand, Rhode, Bieber’s now a mainstay beauty icon too, not just with her own products, but with fully-fledged aesthetics.

Tomato girl summer, strawberry girl blush, glazed doughnut nails (and skin), latte makeup and cinnamon cookie butter hair are just some of the trends she’s pioneered this year – so it’s safe to say, when Bieber jumps, we say how high.

Most of these trends have emerged on TikTok, inspired by the way Bieber does her skincare and makeup in GRWM videos (that’s 'get ready with me', for those who aren’t extremely online) .

However, one of Bieber’s latest videos has caught people’s attention for a different reason. Not for a new blush technique or mode of flooding her skin, but for the way she applies her sunscreen. Or rather, how much of it.

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What is the two-finger sunscreen rule?

In a video posted on TikTok on Friday 6 October (captioned “Mornings 🙆🏼‍♀️🍁🍁” if you were wondering), Bieber shows herself going about her regular skincare routine.

She washes her face with water, brushes her teeth – hopefully for much longer than the snippet shown in the clip – applies a toner or essence, and a serum (both Rhode products), then sunscreen.

Using the Summer Fridays Shadedrop SPF 30, Bieber holds out her hand and applies the product in lines up her fore and middle fingers, before rubbing her hands together and applying the product to her face. We knew there was a reason her skin looks so good.

Unlike many of the trends circulating this year, Bieber didn’t pioneer this technique. It’s called the two-finger beauty rule, and those in the know have been applying their own sunscreen that way, and reminding others to, for years. Why? Because it’s an easy way to ensure you’re using enough SPF. Which, by the way, is crucial in preventing fine lines and other sun debt.

@haileybieber
Mornings 🙆🏼‍♀️🍁🍁
♬ Crimson And Clover - The Shacks

The right amount of sunscreen

By this stage, we all know the importance of wearing sunscreen. Every single day. Without exception. That goes for people all over the world but especially those in Australia, where in some places the UV index doesn’t ever drop below a three, meaning you can get burnt year round.

We know this. However, where many people still get it wrong is how much sunscreen they should be wearing, and how often it needs to be applied. And that’s not for a lack of effort, but rather a lack of education.

The correct amount to use is:

¼ teaspoon for your face
½ teaspoon for your face and neck
2 tablespoons to the exposed areas of the face and body

Obviously there are some issues with the two-finger sunscreen rule, namely that everyone has differently sized hands and fingers, thus it’s not a foolproof way to know you’re using enough. However, given some people only apply a pea-sized amount to their entire face, or none at all, two-finger lengths is markedly better than that.

But there are some things you can do to ensure you’re getting it right.

The best way to apply sunscreen

The best way to apply sunscreen is of course to measure it out. But if you know you’re unlikely to do that, or you’re applying your SPF while on the move, thus don’t have a measuring spoon on hand, then there’s some pre-work that can make it easier.

Figure out how many finger lengths equate to a 1/4 teaspoon, then go off that measure for future application. That way, you’ll know you’re using enough product, and you won’t have to rely on guesswork.

For reference, the Therapeutic Goods Administration says sunscreen “should be applied to the skin in generous amounts over all of the exposed areas 20 minutes before sun exposure, it should be reapplied every two hours or more often when sweating, and should be reapplied after swimming or towelling” – so keep those mode of application in mind too.

Once again, it seems we have Ms Bieber to thank – not just for the gift of glazed doughnut aesthetics, but for reminding her followers that it’s not just enough to apply sunscreen, but you need to be using enough for it. Who’s to know what sort of masterclass she’ll be hosting next.