To get the most out of AGR+E, apply a small amount 15 minutes before your first sun exposure, wait 2 to 3 minutes, layer a broad-spectrum sunscreen on top, and reapply both every 2 hours you spend in the sun. The customers who see the best results are the ones who follow this routine consistently, from the first day of vacation to the last.
These tips come from our founder Eloise’s own years living with Polymorphous Light Eruption (PMLE) and from feedback shared by hundreds of people in our community. For full step-by-step directions, see everything you need to know about Shirudo AGR+E.
The routine at a glance
- Patch test first, and keep the seal on until you need it
- Apply 15 minutes before sun exposure, ideally before getting dressed
- Wait 2 to 3 minutes, then apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen
- Reapply AGR+E and sunscreen every 2 hours
- Use a small amount and massage until fully absorbed
- Add the Overnight lotion if you want more support
- Change one thing at a time when adjusting your routine
1. Patch test first, and keep the seal on until you need it
We take great care to make our formulas safe and gentle, but anyone can react to a new product. Before your trip, apply a little lotion to a small area of skin and wait to make sure it agrees with you.
If your vacation is still months away, don’t open the tube yet. AGR+E is an antioxidant formula, and air and light can reduce its freshness over time. Keep it sealed in a clean, cool, dark place until you need it. Once opened, use it within six months.
2. Apply 15 minutes before your first sun exposure
Timing matters more than most people expect. Apply AGR+E Daily PMLE Relief Lotion and your sunscreen about 15 minutes before you head outside, since most chemical sunscreen filters need that long to work as intended.
If you wait until you’re already at the beach, your skin has had plenty of exposure by the time you apply. The easiest moment is before getting dressed in the morning:
- Apply a small amount of lotion to one area at a time.
- Massage until fully absorbed, then move to the next area.
- Wait 2 or 3 minutes.
- Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen on top.
AGR+E is a cosmetic lotion, not a sunscreen. It is designed to be used together with one, never instead of one.
3. Reapply every 2 hours, even on day 7
Time flies when you’re outside enjoying yourself. Reapply both AGR+E and your sunscreen every 2 hours of sun exposure. A simple trick: set a reminder on your phone or watch for 1 hour 50 minutes so you never miss the window.
Consistency matters just as much at the end of your trip as at the beginning. A good first few days is a sign the routine is working for you, so keep it up.
4. Use a small amount and massage until absorbed
Our formulas are concentrated, with no unnecessary fillers, so a little goes a long way. Use a small amount and massage until your skin feels dry to the touch. If you notice residue or flaking, you’ve most likely used too much.
5. Add the Overnight lotion for extra support
If you see good results but want more, add an evening step. AGR+E Overnight PMLE Relief Lotion is our restorative night formula, applied before bed to soothe and support skin after a day outdoors. Many people use the Daily in the morning and the Overnight at night throughout their sunniest weeks.
6. Planning to swim? Adjust your routine
If you’ll be in the pool or the sea often, pair AGR+E Daily with a water-resistant sunscreen, and reapply both after swimming or towel drying, following your sunscreen’s label. If you use Sol+3 Daily Environmental Protection, note that it is not waterproof, so AGR+E Daily with a water-resistant sunscreen is the better choice for swim-heavy days.
No lotion stays on skin for hours in the water. That includes AGR+E and every sunscreen, even water-resistant ones. Water, salt, friction and towel drying all wear products off, often faster than you’d expect.
For scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking or any long session in the water, UV clothing is your best friend. A long-sleeve rash guard, a wetsuit, UPF-rated swimwear or leggings, and a hat cover your skin in a way no lotion can match in the water.
Keep lotion for the skin your clothing leaves exposed, like your face, neck, hands and feet
7. Change one thing at a time
Everyone with PMLE is different, and what works for most people may need fine-tuning for you. If your results are good but not quite where you’d like them, try one adjustment at a time: apply more often, massage more thoroughly, or add the Overnight lotion. Test each change on a small area first. Changing several things at once makes it impossible to know what’s actually helping.
Not sure which product fits your skin? Our PMLE relief guide walks through the full routine, and our FAQ answers the most common questions.
We hope these tips help you enjoy more time outdoors, comfortably.
Warmly,
Eloise
Shirudo