Before heading outside, you may be in the habit of slapping SPF on your face, arms, and legs. And that’s a start — but don’t stop there.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), most adults need 1 ounce (enough to fill a shot glass) of sunscreen to cover exposed skin on the whole body. But, they add, most people apply only 25 to 50 percent of that amount.

“Sunscreen should be used daily, regardless of the weather, and reapplied every two hours,” says Michele Green, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. And if you’re swimming or sweating, reapply again afterward, recommends the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Certain spots — like the scalp, lips, ears, neck, and chest — tend to be overlooked, either because applying sunscreen to them is awkward or because the area doesn’t seem to get enough sun to warrant SPF. But many of these areas are high risk skin cancer locations, according to Mayo Clinic.

Per the Skin Cancer Foundation, if you experience five or more sunburns, your risk of melanoma, a potentially deadly form of skin cancer, doubles. But daily use of an SPF of 15 or higher reduces that risk by 50 percent, so it’s important to slather your sunscreen everywhere the sun hits.

Need another reason to load up on SPF? Consider UV’s other long-term effects on your skin. Ninety percent of skin aging can be blamed on the sun, notes the Skin Cancer Foundation, but one study found that people who reported daily use of a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher showed 24 percent less skin aging than those who did not consistently use sunscreen.

So the next time you apply, keep these often-overlooked areas in mind.

1. Ears

Thanks to all their folds, the ears are not the easiest place to apply sunscreen. But they get plenty of sun, so don’t skip them (yes, even if you have long hair). The Cleveland Clinic says the ears are the third most common location for skin cancer.

Don’t just lotion up the lobes, though: “I see skin cancers on all parts of the external ear and even extending into the ear canal,” says Tanya Nino, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the melanoma program director at Providence St. Joseph in Orange County, California. “Behind the ears, including the crease behind the ear, is also a common spot where skin cancers form.”

Apply a broad-spectrum cream sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher to minimize your risk, Dr. Nino advises, and be sure you’ve covered all areas of the ears, front and back. It's also a good idea to wear a hat with a brim and seek the shade wherever you can, she says.

2. Scalp

If you think your hair is protecting your scalp, think again. “The scalp is the highest point of the body and thus more likely to burn than other areas,” Dr. Green says. “To help prevent skin cancers, SPF should always be applied to the scalp and the hairline.” Though skin cancer on the scalp isn’t common — it accounts for 2 to 5 percent of all skin melanomas, research has shown — you should still apply SPF. A hat can obviously help here, too.

Scalp sunscreen doesn’t have to be as messy as you’re likely picturing, either. “There are an array of sunscreens available that are formulated to protect the scalp without leaving behind any residue or a greasy feeling,” Green says. Try a sunscreen powder like Supergoop Poof Part Powder (Supergoop.com) or a mist like Sun Bum’s Scalp & Hair Mist SPF 30 (Sunbum.com) that’s specifically designed for the scalp.

3. Eyelids

The skin around your eyes is thin, and that makes it susceptible to skin cancer as well as signs of aging, like wrinkles and sun spots, Green says. Skin cancer on the eyelids accounts for up to 10 percent of all skin cancers, according to Cancer.Net, the website of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

“Many people refrain from applying SPF to the eyelids due to the sensitivity of the area,” Green says. For protection without the sting, go for a mineral sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide — you can find one that’s formulated for sensitive skin, Green says. Alternatively, she advises using an eye cream that contains SPF. One option is Bright-Eyed 100 Percent Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40 (Supergoop.com).

Finally, don’t forget your sunnies. “Picking up a pair of sunglasses that offer UV protection is a great investment and can help further protect the eyelids from skin cancers and signs of aging that are accelerated by the sun’s rays,” Green notes. Sunglasses will also help protect the skin right along the eyelid, Nino says.

4. Lips

You might not think of your lips as skin, but they are — and skin cancer can develop there, too. Luckily, protecting this area is simple. All you need is a lip balm with an SPF of 30 or higher, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. “Using a lip balm with an SPF is good practice to help prevent the development of skin cancers and wrinkles in the area,” Green says.

The hardest part will be remembering to swipe it on throughout the day. Nino advises reapplying your lip balm every two hours (or more often if you’re swimming — check the product label to be sure).

And if you don’t have a lip balm on you, don’t stress: “Just carry over the facial sunscreen onto the external lips,” Nino says.

5. Neck and Chest

You may diligently apply sunscreen to your face before leaving the house, but make sure you show your neck some love, too. About 20 percent of all new melanoma cases are found in the head and neck region, according to an article published in October 2019 in JAMA Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. “The neck and chest are also hot spots for skin cancer, and [you] should pay attention to these areas,” Nino says. She prefers to use a sheer zinc oxide on the chest and neck, noting that tinted face sunscreens can spread to clothing.

6. Feet

Unless you’re wearing a full-coverage shoe like a sneaker, your feet may be soaking up a lot of rays.

“The tops of our feet are often exposed to the sun, and we should apply SPF there,” Nino says.

The soles of your feet, on the other hand, are generally more protected because of a thick layer of dead skin cells, according to the Cleveland Clinic. But if the bottoms of your feet will be exposed to UV light somehow — for example, if you’re lying out barefoot at the beach — you should apply SPF there, too, Nino notes. Three to 15 percent of melanoma skin cancers occur on the foot or ankle, research shows.

People often don’t know they have moles on their feet or toes, so it’s a good idea to do a skin self-exam regularly and check these easily missed spots, Nino says.