Back in January, I wrote a post about why you shouldn’t mix your sunscreen with foundation or lotion. By doing that, in fact, you’re actually diluting the sunscreen and risking compromising its active ingredients, making it less or not at all effective. Some of you asked me what I thought of skincare and cosmetic products that contain SPF and if they offered enough protection. I thought this topic deserved its own post, so here’s my take on it.
But first, I have a confession to make. When I was in high school, I didn’t realise how much damage the sun could cause to my skin. I thought sunscreen was something that needed to be worn only at the beach (and sadly many still do, including my mum and boyfriend who think I’m crazy to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen daily but we’ll se who’s right in a few years’ time).
Cosmetics with SPF as an (effective?) alternative to sunscreen?
And so, most of the time, I relied on cosmetics and moisturizers with low SPF, thinking they would be enough. But after learning that the necessary amount of sunscreen to cover your entire face so that it offer sufficient protection is about a teaspoon, I wasn’t so sure that relying on cosmetics with SPF alone was a good idea.
Still, sunscreens can have a greasy texture or leave a white cast behind, so you don’t always want to apply several layers on your face (and everywhere else that’s exposed to the sun too!) every day. So, moisturizers and cosmetics with SPF can seem a valid alternative. But it wouldn’t be good if we were compromising the level of sun protection we get, would it?
Not really, unless you’re spending a very short time outdoors
Just like one layer of sunscreen isn’t enough to provide the protection claimed on the label, the same applies to cosmetics. You would need to apply at last 7 layers of foundation and 14 of powder to be sufficiently protected against the sun rays, but who does that? It would look so unnatural! Not to mention that sun protection fades overtime, so you would need to reapply several times a day (again, just like sunscreen).
Still, I wouldn’t say they are totally useless. If you know that you are gonna spend just a short time outdoors, like walking to your car or driving to work, then using moisturizers or cosmetics with sunscreen, provided they are broad spectrum (check the labels for Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Mexoryl, Tinosorb or Avobenzone) and reapplied throughout the day, may be ok.
But if you are gonna spend a few hours outdoors, then you need to wear a broad spectrum sunscreen cos cosmetics with SPF, albeit high it may be, just aren’t enough to protect your skin from the harmful the sun rays. You can still use them of course, but only in conjunction with a sunscreen.
What I do
I apply a broad spectrum sunscreen, like La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Sun Spray SPF50+, every day and try to reapply every couple of hours. However, that’s not always possible. If I can’t reapply reapply sunscreen, then I rely on powders with SPF and apply those every few hours.
Granted, I do not spend a lot of time outside. I try to avoid the sun as much as possible and prefer to be indoors. I try to reapply sunscreen whenever possible and it’s only when I really really can’t that I retouch my makeup with foundations or powders with SPF, and only because I know I won’t stay much in the sun anyway.
On those rare occasions when I know that I will spend hours outside, I wear little makeup and apply sunscreen religiously every couple of hours. I might wear cosmetics with SPF, but I won’t rely solely on those because I know they just wouldn’t be enough.
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I should seriously get into this habit. I’m almost 27 and should take putting on sunscreen seriously. Thanks for the info.
I love love love the sun and love to spend my time in it. I also love smooth skin!
I noticed the beginnings of sun damage (little sun spots on the tops of my cheekbones) a couple years ago and immediately began using a broad spectrum sunscreen and an AHA product twice daily. If I’m diligent with both products, the spots are invisible. A single day out in the sun/water – unprotected- brings them right back and takes a few months to get rid of them again!
Anyway, I use Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection SPF 55 lotion (not cheap) and Walgreen Alpha Hydroxy Face Cream (ridiculously cheap and a miracle product when used properly). I also wear sunglasses and sometimes even hats when I spend the day outside.
I’d love to find a less expensive alternative to Shiseido … I’ll check out La Roche Posay.
Thanks for the post!
-Amy.
Amy´s last blog ..Oscars! My Guilty Pleasure.
I use Neutrogena Pure Screen SPF 60+ because it is a physical sunblock. My skin is sensitive to chemical sunscreen. I wear it everyday before stepping out of the house and like you, I spend most of my days indoor.
Dao´s last blog ..Hotel Room and Tiredness
Great post! I always tried to buy creams and moisturizers that contain SPF and I’m also using foundations that has SPF. What I never did is applying sunscreen before I apply any face cream. My complexion is kind of oily anyway and I’m afraid if I’m going to put sunscreen it will get oily much faster. What do you think?
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All Women Stalker, you’re welcome and you should! Sunscreen is essential to protect our skin from the sun, which can cause premature aging, sun spots and skin cancer too. You skin will thank you if you start applying sunscreen regularly.
Amy, I love the sun, just not spending time in it lol. I’m sorry you devloped sun spots, that’s awful but I’m glad that you’ve found a solution for them. I think when spending a lot of time outside, it’s essential not just to wear sunscreen but also use hats, sunglasses and clothes as protection against the sun rays.
LA Roche Posay sunscreens are usually really good. I’ve used a couple and they contain a mix of physical and chemical sunscreens and they don’t feel sticky on the skin. I think the price is pretty reasonable too.
Dao, I’m glad you found a sunscreen you like. The Neutrogena one sounds really good. I prefer physical blockers too but during the winter months, it’s hard to find any sunscreens at all here so at the moment I’m using one that contains both physical and chemical ingredients. I can’t complain though as it works well.
Tavia, those products you are using are fine if you only spend a very limited time outside, otherwise they aren’t enough to protect skin from the sun. A sunscreen should always be used daily but some can be too greasy, clogging pores and causing breakouts, which is a problem esp for those with oily skin. But then, by not using sunscreen, the sun rays will damage your skin, causing wrinkles and sun spots.
I think the best thing is to look for sunscreens formulated for your skin type like LaRoche Posay SPF 60 Fluide Extreme, which is a bit pricey but lots of people with oily skin swear by it, or Dermatalogica Oil Free Matte Block SPF 20. This one I haven’t tried myself but it claims to absorb oil and give skin a matte finish so it may be worth checking. Hope this helps.
dear Giorgia, if i apply a foundation with SPF 15, should i apply an additional layer of sunscreen with SPF 50 on top of it? is the foundation of SPF 15 alone effective enough for normal daily use?
Tina, I think it’s best to a broad spectrum sunscreen underneath foundation or any other cosmetic with sunscreen. That’s because to get the SPF stated on the packaging, you would need to apply several layers of your foundation, which could make your skin look very unnatural. I guess it’d be ok to use only the foundation if you’re spending very limited time outdoors (like walking from your office to your car for example), otherwise, use sunscreen as well.
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