I wear sunscreen every day no matter what. Because I use Retin-A Cream every night. I know I should wear sunscreen makeup combinations because it helps protect my skin against skin cancer.
But the unvarnished truth is wearing sunscreen to protect your skin is not enough motivation for me.
I wear sunscreen to prevent wrinkles. Sunscreen protects me from harmful UV rays that cause premature aging. And skin cancer. hey, whatever it takes to mentally motivate you to wear it every day.
I also enjoy wearing makeup almost every day. And that includes foundation.
How do I apply sunscreen?
When I first began with my daily dose of sun protection, I wasn’t sure how to apply sunscreen. Should I put it on under makeup or on top of makeup? And either way, how do I reapply sunscreen every two hours? Could I find a product that is both? Like sunscreen makeup?
Let’s begin at the beginning.
According to the powers that be, medical professionals specializing in skin cancer you must apply 1/4 of a teaspoon on your face to get the SPF on the label. Apply a smaller amount and you will get some sun protection. But you won’t know the exact amount of reduced SPF you have.
They recommend 30 SPF on a daily basis.
So down the rabbit hole, I went…
Does sunscreen or make-up go first?
Do skincare products have the best results when applied to a moisturizer or a facial cream?
I believe that this is a common problem. Is that true?
Is the SPF in the foundation sufficient?
It’s impossible for makeup to prevent the sun’s harmful radiation from entering your face from sunlight. What’s going on?
Because I am dealing with over 50, almost 60 skin the SPF found in most foundations is not enough protection for me.
First, you have to look on the label to see if it is a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Most are not.
Second, you have to wear 1/4 teaspoon on your face (not your face and neck) to get the designated SPF on the label. There is no way on God’s green earth that I will look good with 1/4 a teaspoon of sunscreen makeup on my face.
Third, you have to reapply your sunscreen every two hours. seriously, you don’t want to add yet another 1/4 teaspoon of foundation on top of your existing makeup.
Fourth, the formula for the foundation will 100% without a doubt settle into all my wrinkles if I use this much foundation.
The only answer for me is NO, the SPF in the foundation is not sufficient sun protection.
Wearing makeup and sun protection
If only there was a one size fits all solution. I have tried over 100 hundred foundations and sunscreen products at this point. They are either too drying or too greasy. Sometimes it balls and pills on my skin.
Other times they look patchy and gunky on my skin.
Oh, what’s a girl to do?
Don’t give up, there is hope. I promise. I found some great sunscreen under makeup hacks that just might help you too.
Important points when you are looking for the perfect facial sunscreen to wear under makeup are:
Does the sunscreen bleed through the foundation and make your face look shiny?
This happens to me all the time. Everything looks great when I start the day. I have high hopes for my sunscreen makeup combination of the day.
But a few hours into my morning I take a quick check in the mirror to find a greasy, slimy face. And I have dry skin! So don’t be upset if this happens to you.
It is normal. Just keep experimenting with different product combos until you find your perfect mix.
Does the sunscreen cause your makeup to ball and pill?
I have a subconscious habit of rubbing my face. Especially if I am sweaty or talking on the phone. I know don’t why I do this. but who cares? The point is that it happens.
Often my skincare, sunscreen, and makeup turns into little rubbery balls and pills off. often this means too much silicone in your products. I find I have the same problem if my products contain too much glycerin.
Both of these ingredients are supposed to make your sunscreen and makeup easier to apply and moisturize and smooth the look of your skin. But for me, it is often too much of a good thing.
Does it wear off unevenly throughout the day?
I will not compromise when it comes to a patchy, uneven foundation. I am just too old to put up with inferior performance any longer.
We have some many choices for sunscreen, primers, and foundation today that I immediately exclude any combination that wears unevenly throughout the day.
Trust me, just keep trying new ones until you find one that lasts most of the day. Or at least wears off beautifully instead of giving you an “ugly face”.
Can reapply a clear sunscreen over the makeup without major issues later in the day?
Yes, it is possible. I usually carry a round white powder compact sponge (think old school) for this specific purpose. I can distribute the liquid sunscreen on the back of my hand and use the sponge to reapply.
if you are super motivated, you can also try a refillable cushion compact for this purpose. I am not that organized yet.
The NYTimes has a good article called “Is Makeup Messing Up My Sunscreen?” if you want further reading.
Is chemical or mineral sunscreen better under makeup?
There are a number of different reasons to choose mineral sunscreen over chemical sunscreen.
Many women simply can’t tolerate a chemical sunscreen on their face. they get a rash or red irritation. If that is the case, then you have to keep trying mineral sunscreens until you can find one that works under your makeup.
Personally, I prefer chemical sunscreen under makeup on my face. I don’t have negative reactions such as redness or irritation. I also personally prefer the advanced chemical sunscreen filters found in Asian products over the USA chemical sunscreens. Please see my sunscreen Holy Grails for recommendations.
Mineral sunscreen makeup Since most of the most popular mineral sunscreens are tinted this is the type of product I recommend for a so-called sunscreen makeup.
There are many tinted moisturizers and skin tint makeup products on the market.
But I find them to be less desirable once I use the full amount of 1/4 teaspoon on my face – too greasy for me.
What is the best sunscreen makeup?
If only there was a one size fits all solution. I am of the belief that perfect sunscreen makeup does not exist.
The main issue for me is that if I apply the recommended amount of 1/4 teaspoon (or three fingers of product) onto my face then the tint or makeup part looks terrible on my over 50 skin.
It emphasizes my texture and settles into all my fine lines and wrinkles.
After testing numerous products and combinations, my top hack for my morning makeup routine for wearing sunscreen under makeup is to avoid the combination products and opt for individual sunscreen, face primer, and foundation. I get the best results this way. using three different products takes longer to layer, but it is worth it because it actually looks the best with my mature, older skin.
Re-applying Sun protection throughout the day
This one is tricky. I have tried several different powder sunscreen over makeup with mixed results. The powders look ashy and gray over my foundation. But not so much that I can’t wear it at all. I use it anyway.
Applying sunscreen is a must for every individual.
But, with the passage of time, most people forget to reapply it. Sunscreen should be applied every two hours and after sweating or swimming.
The key to using sunscreen is to find a product that you like and that suits your skin type.
For example, if you have dry skin then look for a mineral or chemical sunscreen.
Sunscreen is one of the most important items in your summertime beauty routine.
It protects you from sunburns and skin cancer, but it’s also important to reapply every two hours to ensure that you’re getting full SPF protection.
It’s a good idea to wear sunscreen on your face as well, but be careful not to apply too much or you’ll end up with a white cast.
If you want a tinted chemical sunscreen, look for one that doesn’t contain oxybenzone or retinyl palmitate (which can lead to skin irritation).
The main dilemma with using a powder sunscreen over foundation is that you don’t really have any idea what SPF level you are getting. The application amount is a guessing game.
More about Sun protection
Broad Spectrum sunscreen is the final part of the skincare routine prior to putting on makeup.
It is advisable to use broad-spectrum formulas with an SPF value of 15 or higher daily, according to guidelines. According to the FDA, sunscreen should be applied to every head and toe and reapplies twice daily unless you are using it twice daily.
It is recommended for people who swim and sweat. Choose a moisturizer with wide-coverage sunscreen for your skin.
Sunscreen is a must for everyone. It helps to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, which can lead to skin cancer, premature aging, and wrinkles.
Sunscreens are available in two forms: physical and chemical. Physical sunscreens contain minerals such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Chemical sunscreens use ingredients like oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, or octinoxate to absorb the sun’s rays before they can penetrate the skin and cause damage.
Some people prefer mineral-based sunscreen because they don’t feel it is as heavy on their skin or give them a white cast when they sweat.
Others choose chemical-based sunscreen because it is better at protecting against both UVA and UVB rays than mineral-based sunscreen.
Moisturizer with Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen
This type of product can be a great substitute for sunscreen makeup if you have dry skin. you are going to use quite a bit of moisturizer anyway, so why not combine it with your UV protection?
In a perfect world, broad Spectrum sunscreen is the final part of the skincare routine prior to putting on makeup.
I advise using broad-spectrum formulas with an SPF value of 30 or higher daily, according to guidelines. For me personally, the higher the SPF the better.
According to the FDA, sunscreen should be applied to every head and toe and reapplies twice daily unless you are using it twice daily.
If you are actually wearing clothes, this gal suggests using it only on your exposed skin! I let my clothes and my hat do most of the heavy lifting.