Do cosmetics with SPF offer enough sun protection?
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.
Can I mix sunscreen with lotion?
Have you ever been tempted to mix your sunscreen with your moisturizer or foundation? I know I have.
Finding a good sunscreen is really hard: some are greasy, others leave a white cast. And besides, sunscreen is an extra (but very necessary and one you should never skip!) step in your beauty routine and adding it to your lotion would not only save you time but also make sure you never forget to apply it.
If you’re thinking, “Oh, that’s a good idea, I’m going to try that now” think again. It’s not a good idea. It’s actually a very bad one.
Why you shouldn’t mix sunscreen with lotion
Why, I hear you ask? Well, there are a couple of very good reasons why mixing your sunscreen with your moisturizer or foundation should be avoided.
The first one is that, by doing so, you are diluting your sunscreen. That means that a SPF30 sunscreen, for instance, can become a SPF15 or less. Think about it. To get the protection claimed on the label, you need to apply one teaspoon of sunscreen to your face.
That’s a lot and if your sunscreen is diluted, then you’d have to apply even more cos the lotion you just mixed simply won’t provide enough protection for your skin.
In addition, sunscreen formulations are delicate and some of the ingredients present in your moisturizer or foundation may actually compromise the active sunscreen ingredients, making them less or not effective at all.
Bottom line
Mixing your sunscreen with foundation or lotion may seem a good idea, but it will diminish its effectiveness, leaving your face prone to sunburn and to the damage the dangerous sun rays cause. Not really a risk worth taking is it? 
Has your sunscreen gone bad?
Sunscreen is essential to protect skin from the harmful sun rays that can cause cancer and premature aging. But just like any other beauty product, sunscreen can go bad too. And once it does, you need to discard it immediately as it becomes ineffective and may even cause irritations! Luckily, there are a few signs that warn you when this happens:
Check the expiration date: the first thing to do, especially if you haven’t used your sunscreen in a while, is to check the expiration date. Usually sunscreens have a shelf life of two or three years but if not stored properly (never leave it in your car under the boiling sun for hours for example) they can go bad before their time. So you shouldn’t rely solely on the expiration date to determine if your sunscreen has gone bad but look for other signs, like the ones mentioned below, as well.
Change in texture, color or smell: if the consistency of your sunscreen has changed and has become too thin or thick to spread properly and easily, it is probably gone bag. A change in color or a weird smell are also sign of sunscreen gone sour.
Separation into two layers: when the active ingredients separate from the rest of the formula, your sunscreen is divided into two layers. Even if you shake it, it is highly unlikely that the sunscreen will still retain its effectiveness so the best thing to do is to throw it away and buy another bottle.
Grittiness: if a lotion feels gritty, it means that the active ingredient has crystallized out into sharp crystals, becoming completely ineffective.
Is nanotechnology in sunscreen good or bad?
Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are considered two of the best ingredients used in sunscreens because they offer protection from both UVA and UVB rays. But, because they leave a white cast on skin, a lot of people tend to avoid products that contain them. For this reason, manufacturers have started using very small particles of Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide that protect skin from UV rays without the white color.
Concerns about nanotechnology
However, there is a controversy about nanotechnology used in sunscreens. Studies have shown that nanoparticles can produce free radicals which can damage DNA cells. But for that to happen, these particles have to penetrate past the outer dead layers of the skin into the living cells.
Nanoparticles can’t penetrate skin
Although further studies need to be done, current research shows that these small particles remain on the surface and can’t reach the living cells. In addition, studies also show that adding antioxidants to a sunscreen eliminates the risks of Titanium Dioxide nanoparticles causing free radical damage.
Concerns about inhalation of nanoparticles
While topical application is considered safe, inhalation remains a concern. Studies have shown that nanoparticles can damage animal lungs if inhaled so, until further research on their safety (or lack of) is done, I think that avoiding sunscreens in powdered or spray form may be a good idea.
It’s up to you to decide if you want to use sunscreens that contain nanoparticles or not. In any case, not using sunscreens at all or using sunscreens that don’t offer adequate protection causes far worse damage.
6 Sunscreen Myths Busted!
In the summer we spend more time outdoors enjoying the sunshine. And when we do, it’s essential that we wear sunscreen to avoid any skin damage caused by the sun rays. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about sunscreen that may prevent us from using it properly and get adequate protection. Here’s the truth on some sunscreen myths:
1. Layering sunscreens adds SPF
If, for example, you apply a sunscreen of SPF 30 and then a moisturizer with SPF 10, you’re not increasing SPF protection. The SPF you get, is the one provided by the highest sunscreen you applied. In this case, 30.
2. All sunscreens protect from UVA AND UVB rays
Unfortunately, that’s not true. The SPF rating only applies to UVB protection and not all sunscreen include ingredients that protect against UVA rays as well. Use broad spectrum sunscreens that contain titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone and mexoryl, which all provide some protection against UVA rays as well.
3. I can’t get a tan if I use a high SPF sunscreen
You can still get a tan if you use a high SPF sunscreen, it will just take a big longer to develop. And not only it will last longer, but you’ll lower the risk of skin damage and getting a sunburn too!
4. Your old sunscreen bottle is still effective
Do you have any sunscreen lotions left over from last summer? Check the expiration dates to see if they are still good to use. Usually sunscreen start losing effectiveness after one year and are useless after three.
5. It’s enough to apply sunscreen once a day
No it’s not. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, and after swimming or sweating. That is because, when exposed to the sun, the active ingredients break down, making it necessary to rea-pply.
6. Sunscreen isn’t necessary if it’s cloudy.
Not only sunscreen is still necessary even if it is cloudy, but also if it is rainy or snowing. Basically, wearing sunscreen is ALWAYS necessary. Up to 80% of the sun’s rays can pass through the clouds and be reflected on snow too.