estimable intentions are n’t enough , dermatologists say — you have to enforce it the right way , too .

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.

Top-down is the preferred method.

Globs or dabs?

Before or after makeup?

Put on enough — and in the right places.

What type is best?

Apply…and then reapply.

This article originally appeared onHuffPost .

Two women smiling while applying sunscreen to each other on a beach. Houses are visible on the hillside in the background

A person with curly hair is applying sunscreen to their face while standing on a sandy beach with the ocean in the background

A person is squeezing sunscreen from an orange bottle into their hand on a sandy beach

A person with curly hair smiles while applying sunscreen to their nose, wearing a tank top and hoop earrings

A person applies sunscreen to their knee while sitting on a beach with water and greenery in the background

Two women, one with short hair and sunglasses, the other with braids and sunglasses, enjoying a boat ride while applying sunscreen

Person applying sunscreen to their shoulder near a pool, emphasizing the importance of sun protection