In my previous post I wrote about sunscreen and keeping you and your skin safe in the sun so picking it up from there and continuing with a discussion on SPF in makeup and skincare seems only right. A little shorter than my last post but hopefully it will answer some more of your questions.
My moisturiser already has SPF in it. Do I really need a separate sunscreen?
I mentioned in my last post, I am neither a healthcare professional or an expert on sunscreen or for that matter a cosmetic formulator however I personally don’t believe an all-in-one hybrid moisturiser/sunscreen product is as effective as individual products.
The main aim of a moisturiser is to hydrate the skin, where as SPF is formulated to provide a protective film on top of the skin to shield it, protecting against harmful UVA and UVB rays. Whilst a hybrid moisturiser (one which contains SPF30 for instance) will moisture your skin and give it some level of protection, the chances are that it will be nowhere near the level required to actually protect the skin to the same extent as a standalone, sole-purpose SPF30 sunscreen.
So, whilst the answer is you don’t need a separate sunscreen, I would recommend that you do use two different products.
Do I apply SPF before or after my skincare and makeup?
Sunscreen should be treated as a very important layer in your skincare routine and should always be applied after you have applied your skincare products.
I would suggest applying your usual skincare products, waiting a few minutes for them to work their magic before then applying a separate SPF. Once your SPF has had a few minutes to sink in, then apply your makeup. You can then top up your sunscreen and makeup throughout the day.
I know I’m supposed to top up my sunscreen. How can I reapply my SPF if I am wearing makeup?
Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours of so, particularly if you are swimming or sweating a lot but let’s be honest, the idea of applying a creamy SPF over a face full of makeup is not in the least appealing or practical.
Some makeup products contain sun protection but as with skincare, they aren’t enough on their own however mineral powders are a great way to touch up makeup doing the day. Mineral powders are broad spectrum by their very nature and so will not only matte out any shine when you apply them but they will also add a layer of SPF that protects you from UVA and UVB rays.
You can apply these to top up your base and then go over with your blush/shadow/lip etc if you need to.
I am a big fan of the Jane Iredale Pure Pressed Base powder foundations (I wrote a post on these a while back – you can find the link here) which contain an SPF of 15-20 and the Inika Loose Mineral foundation (£38.00) which has an SPF20. Other favourites include Honeypie Minerals foundation (£15.00) and the Classic foundation from the English Mineral Makeup Company (£43.00)
With all mineral powders and dry sunscreens, It is important to remember to press the powder onto the skin using a good dense brush rather than wiping/brushing it on to ensure you get a good coverage.
A quick note on dry powder sunscreen
Dry sunscreens can be really useful when you are on the go. I love the Jane Iredale Powder Me SPF30 Dry Sunscreen which you can wear alone or over makeup. As I mentioned above, press it onto the skin rather than brushing it on to ensure a good coverage.
If you have any more questions about SPF and makeup, then do get in touch and I’ll update this post with any further questions and answers.
Have a wonderful summer
L x
Resources:
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/sun-uv-and-cancer/sun-safety
