Britain has been enjoying sizzling conditions this month and the first half of this week will see the mercury reach 29C.
As people spend more time outdoors to sunbathe at parks and beaches, it is important to wear sun cream to protect your skin and avoid sunburn.
Sun cream is essential in the fight against skin cancer and you need to wear it correctly to be protected from harmful ultraviolet rays.
Experts advise people to seek shade in the sun, wear protective clothing and apply water-resistant sun cream with an SPF of 30 or higher, the Irish Mirror reports.
Because sun cream wears off after about two hours, if you spend longer in the sun you should make sure to reapply it multiple times per day.
These are the five main mistakes people make when applying sun cream:
Not reading the label properly
There are many different types of sun cream on sale, but generally you should aim to use sun cream with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Sun cream should also be broad-spectrum and water-resistant to get the best protection.
Not using enough
Most adults need about one ounce of sun cream to cover their body.
You should apply sun cream 15 minutes before heading outside and reapply once every two hours.
You should also reapply it after swimming or sweating.
Only applying when it is sunny
Sun cream should also be used on cloudy days.
This is because, even when the weather is not sunny, up to 80 per cent of the sun's UV rays can penetrate your skin.
Using expired sun cream
Sun cream goes out of date after approximately three years so it is important to know when you bought it.
If you are unsure, throw it out and buy a new one.
Only using sun cream as form of protection
No sun cream can block out 100 per cent of UV rays, so it is essential to use other methods as well.
For more sun protection, wear lightweight clothes that cover the skin, seek shade, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection.
