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SPF and Sunscreen in Makeup: Is Sunscreen in Makeup Effective Sun Protection?

Article Published: 8 March 2022

Is wearing makeup with sunscreen enough for daily sun protection? Learn the importance of wearing sunscreen and the sunscreen in makeup.

Sunscreen and Foundation Combination

We all know the importance of sunscreen – in this day and age “wear sunscreen everyday” is something that’s preached to us on a regular basis. With benefits such as helping to prevent sunburn (UVB rays), sunscreen also helps to protect your skin from early signs of skin aging due to UVA rays (the ultra violet rays responsible for skin aging) when used as directed with other sun protection measures. However – not all sunscreens are created equal and not all makeup products offer adequate sun protection…

Importance of Daily Sunscreen Use

Wearing sunscreen daily helps prevent sunburn and, when used as directed with other sun protection measures, decreases the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging caused by the sun. The sun is one of the biggest culprits and causes visible premature skin aging including wrinkles, sagging, and age spots. The sun typically affects the skin via two different UV rays: UVA Rays and UVB Rays.

UVA rays are known as “aging rays” and can result in signs of prematurely aging skin. They are able to pass through glass windows.

UVB rays, also known as “burning rays,” are the primary cause of sunburn and are usually blocked by window glass.

Ideally – you will want to search for a sunscreen that is “broad spectrum”, meaning it helps to provide sun protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

It’s important to wear sunscreen daily – even if you work indoors all day (after all, just a short stroll outside can expose you to the sun’s harmful UV rays) plus UVA rays can also pass through glass windows and cause damage to the skin.

When it comes to the “magic number” of sun protection it’s generally recommended to pick a sunscreen that has an SPF value of 15 or higher for indoors or SPF 30 or higher for outdoors. “SPF” stands for “Sun Protection Factor” and serves as guidance of how long it will take for the skin to burn with sunscreen compared to if no sunscreen was worn (e.g., an SPF 15 means it takes 15 times longer for your skin to burn than if you were not wearing sunscreen at all).

Sunscreen in Makeup

While you may look to your foundation or makeup primer and notice a relatively high SPF number, this doesn’t always equate to adequate sun protection – especially in the summertime. Many makeup products don’t offer broad spectrum protection (protection against both UVA and UVB rays), so you may not be getting sufficient sun protection. Having sunscreen built into your makeup can be convenient, but typically the SPF level in these products isn’t necessarily enough on the sun protection front.

When applying foundation or face products, we typically only apply as much product as needed to cover our skin or create an even toned complexion, and this is often not enough product to give adequate sun protection. It is generally recommended to apply sunscreen liberally and use the equivalent of a shot glass of sunscreen to cover the exposed body. For the face, this is roughly the equivalent of the size of a nickel or a tablespoon of sunscreen for the whole face. It’s important to pay special attention to your method of sunscreen application for effectiveness. Remember, even if you are applying sunscreen with an adequate SPF value, it’s important to follow other sun protection measures like wearing a hat and clothing that covers exposed skin, staying in the shade, and limiting your sun exposure during high UV hours.

Our Daily Sunscreen for Under Makeup

We also recommend using a sunscreen product in your daily beauty routine in addition to your makeup with sunscreen. Our UV Expert Sunscreen Aquagel Defense SPF 50 Priming Moisturizer is an all-in-one, oil-free face primer and moisturizer with SPF 50. With an ultra-lightweight water-like gel formula, it quickly and easily blends into the skin for an invisible look with no white residue or shiny finish. In order to get the best results, it’s important to reapply your sunscreen (at least every two hours) throughout the day -- especially if your skin has been exposed to sweat or water. A great option for reapplying sunscreen without messing up your makeup is to use a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen.

Makeup, Foundation, and + Tinted Moisturizer with SPF/Sunscreen

Although the sunscreen included in makeup may only provide an SPF value lower than beach product sunscreens, it can be beneficial to use a base product such as foundation or a formula that combines tinted moisturizer with SPF/sunscreen. Layering your skin with a daily sunscreen and then a makeup product containing sunscreen can help you get the sun protection you need – provided you apply the correct amount and reapply throughout the day according to the product label directions. . Reapplying sunscreen by using a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen that provides an SPF of at least 15 can be a great option for reapplying your sunscreen and adding additional makeup coverage to the skin.

Our Skin Feels Good Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 23 is a great option for the summer with its buildable natural coverage and lightweight oil-free formula that leaves skin with a healthy glow. The formula contains sunscreen with SPF 23, hyaluronic acid and Moringa Seed which can provide moisturization. The formula is a buildable foundation and tinted moisturizer with sunscreen hybrid, offering protection for the skin against free radicals and environmental pollutants.

If you prefer a product that offers a bit more coverage or lasts through the summer heat try Teint Idole Ultra 24 Hour Long Wear Foundation with SPF 15. It’s a full coverage foundation with a soft natural matte finish that feels lightweight and breathable on skin. With transfer resistant properties it’s a great option to use during the summer when makeup is often prone to fading and transferring. For a natural glow finish try our Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow Foundation with SPF 27.

Shop sun care and sun protection.

1 < a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-the-sunscreen-in-your-makeup-enough/">https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-the-sunscreen-in-your-makeup-enough/
2 https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/
3 https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/what-s-the-difference-between-uva-and-uvb-rays-.h15-1592991.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CUVB%20does%20not%20penetrate%20as,sun%20also%20can%20cause%20cataracts.
4 https://www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/uv-radiation/
5 https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/sunscreen-patients/sunscreen-faqs
6 https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/sunscreen-and-your-morning-routine#:~:text=Wearing%20sunscreen%20is%20one%20of,skin%20cancer%20and%20premature%20aging.
7 https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/
8 https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/
9 https://www.skincancer.org/blog/making-sunscreen-work-makeup/
10 https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-the-sunscreen-in-your-makeup-enough/
11 https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-the-sunscreen-in-your-makeup-enough/
12 https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/sunscreen-patients/sunscreen-faqs
13 https://www.skincancer.org/blog/ask-the-expert-how-much-sunscreen-should-i-be-using-on-my-face-and-body/
14 https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-the-sunscreen-in-your-makeup-enough/

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