Do you start at your feet and move up? Give it all a quick spray and move on? If you’ve fallen into a routine of using sunscreen each day, you may be surprised to hear that there’s a preferred method for how it should be applied.

Are you doing it the right way? Here’s what the experts say.

Face-first is always the way to go, experts said. “I recommend starting at the face and then working your way down the body to your feet, so that you don’t wind up with bacteria from your body on your face,” said dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman.

Dermatologist Dr. Teresa Song agreed with this approach, and she explained why it’s a good idea. “Generally, skin care products used on the body are more occlusive, which means they can use heavy, greasy ingredients that create a physical barrier for the skin,” she said. “That heavier body skin care should be separated from products intended for face and neck, since they could potentially cause breakouts on the face.”

“One way to apply your sunscreen is to focus on the cosmetic subunits of the face,” said dermatologist Dr. DiAnne Davis. “If you follow this method, the forehead gets one dot or glob of sunscreen. Each cheek gets another, then the chin area, around the mouth, the nose and finally around the eyes.”

But that’s not the only method. “Alternatively, you could take a glob of product and spread it into both hands by rubbing them together, followed by one large application to the entire face with both hands,” Davis said.

“We always recommend layering products from thinnest to thickest,” said dermatologist Dr. Claire Wolinsky. “If you’re using chemical sunscreen, it should be as close to the skin as possible and preferably the first product applied before moisturizer, then makeup. If you’re using a thin serum like a vitamin C, then the serum would be applied first. But if you’re using mineral sunscreen, that should be the last step so it’s closest to the sun.”

Once the sunscreen goes on, give yourself some time before doing anything else, experts said. “Let sunscreen sit on the skin for at least 10 minutes before applying makeup, just to make sure it fully absorbs,” Hartman said.

The experts said that the biggest sunscreen mistake they see is people not applying enough. “You need a full ounce of sunscreen to cover your body, which equates to a shot glass or a golf ball-sized amount,” Hartman said.

He noted that while sprays are very easy to use, they need some follow-up before they can provide protection. “Spray multiple passes across each body part, usually two to three times per arm and three to four times per leg,” Hartman said. “Hold the sunscreen nozzle about 3 to 4 inches from your skin. Stop in between sprays and rub the sunscreen into the skin entirely. If you skip this step, the spray will only protect where it hits the skin.”

As you’re paying attention to application, make sure you’re getting even coverage — especially in spots you might otherwise miss. “Many people realize the importance of applying sunscreen to the face, but other areas like the ears, neck and back of the hands also receive a significant amount of UV radiation and are common sites for skin cancer,” said dermatologist and Mohs surgeon Dr. Carolyn Stull. “Applying sunscreen to these areas on a regular basis is important to reduce the risk of UV damage.”

“I recommend a physical or mineral sunscreen that contains zinc oxide as the active ingredient,” said dermatologist Dr. Mojgan Hosseinipour. “Tinted sunscreens contain iron oxides that protect against blue light, infrared and visible light as well. Choose a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher, is water-resistant, and provides broad-spectrum coverage, which means it protects you from UVA and UVB rays [two types of ultraviolet light].”

If you’re confused about how to read all of this on a label, Song put it this way: “‘SPF’ stands for ‘sun protection factor,’ and ‘PA’ stands for ‘protection of UVA rays.’ An SPF number of 30 and up is recommended, with a PA rating of 4-plus. If you’re wearing SPF 30, it blocks 97% of UVB, whereas SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays. While SPF only measures for UVB protection, PA measures for UVA protection, and more pluses means higher protection.”

Finally, SPF makeup doesn’t make the grade for medical aesthetician Victoria Waked. “Makeup with SPF is not enough coverage,” she said. “People often apply makeup sparingly, focusing on achieving a desired look rather than ensuring even and thorough sun protection. This can result in an insufficient amount of SPF being applied, leading to reduced effectiveness in shielding the skin from UV rays.”

Now that you know which kind of sunscreen to buy and the best way to apply it, make sure you’ve got your timing right, too. First, you need to apply it before those harsh rays hit your delicate flesh. Here’s what Hosseinipour recommended: “Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. It takes approximately 15 minutes for your skin to absorb the sunscreen and protect you.”

And keep reapplying it as long as you’re in the sun. “If you’re outside for longer than two hours, you need to reapply sunscreen,” Hartman said. “You should also reapply immediately after swimming or sweating. There are amazing products available that make reapplication easy, so find one that you like and stick with it.”

Want to shop the best sunscreens around? Shop this selection of highly rated picks.

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Summer isn’t all sunshine and rainbows: It also comes with an increase in unpleasant body odor and sweat. While underarm sweat can be embarrassing enough when in overdrive during the summer, even worse is the dreaded crotch sweat, aka swamp crotch.

You thought pit stains were bad, but have you ever stood up and left a sweaty undercarriage print on your seat outside a gym session? If so, don’t worry because you’re not alone.

“Crotch sweat happens for the same reason it happens in our armpits,” explained Dr. Karyn Eilber, a urogynecologist in Los Angeles who co-authored “A Woman’s Guide to Her Pelvic Floor: What the F*@# Is Going On Down There.”

“We have glands in those areas and so when it gets hot, we sweat,” she said.

When discussing this topic with medical experts, it’s clear that groin sweat isn’t just an awkward bodily function ― it can actually lead to bigger problems. Fungal infections, like yeast infections, can be a potential side effect. Skin rashes that cause uncomfortable skin, including irritation, chafing and itchiness, may also occur as a result of sweating down there.

“The itchiness causes you to scratch and potentially cut the skin, which can make someone prone to bacterial infections, too,” Eilber noted.

If you’re feeling even more concerned about your crotch perspiration now, never fear, because we talked to health care professionals about the best ways to prevent swamp crotch this summer. Check out their top five recommendations below.

Breathable and moisture-wicking fabrics can help keep things fresh.

“Wear loose-fitting clothing made from natural fabrics to maximize air circulation and allow the skin to breathe,” suggested Dr. Sony Sherpa, a holistic physician from Nature’s Rise, an organic wellness company. “This includes light, airy fabrics like cotton and linen.”

There could also be fabrics that make things worse by producing more groin sweat.

“Avoid wearing nylon, polyester and other synthetic materials, which will trap heat and moisture and exacerbate the problem,” Sherpa said. Read HuffPost’s full guide to the worst fabrics to wear in the summer.

When it’s hot enough, sweat will happen regardless of your preventive measures. But there are still ways to avoid the additional problems that could arise from the extra moisture.

“It’s also a good idea not to stay in sweaty workout clothes for prolonged periods, especially those that are tight fabrics that tend not to breathe well,” Eilber said.

The longer you leave on sweaty clothes, the longer you’re creating a perfect environment for infections to flourish. One of the most common issues from leaving your damp clothes on too long is yeast infections, because yeast thrives in warm and moist areas. Even if you don’t develop a yeast infection, you could get a heat rash, a very itchy rash that develops in areas with sweaty skin. And if you scratch that itch and your nail has bacteria on it, you could even be in for a bacterial infection.

While you might be OK in your sweaty garments for an hour or two, changing out of them as soon as you can is always the best bet.

“Anti-fungal or ‘jock itch’ powders can help keep things dry for people who are prone to yeast infections,” Eilber recommended.

It’s best to apply these powders after you exit the shower. Completely dry your skin and then apply the powder to the groin area. You might be able to apply it directly from the bottle by sprinkling it on or squeezing the bottle, but you can also put it into your hands and rub it on. Less is typically more in these scenarios, but be sure to fully cover the problem area for maximum results.

A popular anti-fungal powder option, which has been around for over 100 years, is Gold Bond medicated powder. Not only does this talc-free powder absorb moisture, but it can also help relieve itching or irritation that’s the result of groin sweat.

“It may be beneficial to use an antiperspirant specifically designed for this area,” Sherpa said. “These products contain aluminum salts that temporarily block perspiration and can be safely used on the genital region.”

One highly rated option on Amazon formulated for both men and women is Lumē Acidified Deodorant Wipes. These wipes are actually aluminum-free, making them gentler on sensitive skin. There are also a wide variety of groin deodorants designed specifically for men’s or women’s bodies.

Sherpa also warned, “You should exercise caution when selecting these products, as certain ingredients may cause irritation.”

Since all bodies are different, it is possible that you could still be dealing with sweat and unwanted side effects despite trying the suggestions above. In these instances, it will be helpful to visit a doctor to ensure everything is in check and perhaps try out prescription medications.

Some people have a condition called hyperhidrosis, which is the term for excessive sweating. In these cases, groin sweat wouldn’t be your only problem, but you’d sweat too much from all areas of your body. Your health care provider can prescribe a prescription antiperspirant with more sweat-fighting power than what you’d buy on the drugstore shelf. However, there are also a few other medications, in a group called anticholinergics, that can reduce the amount of sweat you produce by blocking specific neurotransmitters that stimulate the sweat glands.

With these recommendations, hopefully swamp crotch won’t have you sweating as much this summer.