You’ve in all probability heard it on repeat: For correct solar safety, that you must reapply, reapply, reapply that SPF. Particularly, you must purpose to the touch up your sunscreen each two hours while you’re chilling outdoors, and much more steadily in case you’re swimming or sweating, as SELF beforehand reported.
That sounds simple sufficient—particularly in case you’re bumming it on the seaside, say, or dedicating your complete afternoon to lounging in a park. However for these of us who put on make-up, there’s an issue: How on earth are you alleged to slather goopy sunscreen in your face with out ruining the basis, blush, and bronzer you so fastidiously utilized this morning?
“Ideally, you ought to be reapplying with a lotion, cream, or gel,” Azadeh Shirazi, MD, a dermatologist at La Jolla Dermatology in California, tells SELF. “They’re sometimes thicker and are typically simpler by supplying you with extra even protection in comparison with sprays.”
In fact, that’s not at all times sensible with a full face of make-up. And sadly, no, you possibly can’t simply go arduous underneath your basis: You might suppose you’re good to go along with one layer of an SPF 75 product to begin your routine, for instance, however dermatologists say that also isn’t sufficient to defend you from the solar’s dangerous UV rays (which may burn your pores and skin, trigger hyperpigmentation, and improve your threat for pores and skin most cancers).
“Sunscreen efficacy decreases over time,” Lily Talakoub, MD, a dermatologist at McLean Dermatology and Skincare in Virginia, tells SELF. “Because it rubs off or will get absorbed into the pores and skin, it received’t present as a lot safety as while you initially put it on.” That’s why reapplication is so necessary, even when it’s cloudy out otherwise you’re staying indoors. “So long as there’s daylight, you’re getting uncovered to UVA rays, which may even penetrate by way of your automotive or bed room window,” Dr. Talakoub says.
The excellent news is, sure, there actually is a mess-free technique to reapply with out having to redo your face. The truth is, there are a number of strategies that not solely supply longer-lasting protection towards solar injury, however might even improve your look. Simply understand that none of those choices ought to change a correct, nickel-size base coat of broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or increased), which belongs underneath your basis, Dr. Shirazi and Dr. Talakoub say.
For all you make-up devotees, listed below are 4 sensible and dermatologist-approved methods to remain protected—and nonetheless look good—throughout the scorching days forward.
Use an SPF mineral powder.
Simply as you’d hold your make-up in place with a setting powder, you are able to do the identical with an SPF model. It’s an particularly nice choice if you detest the greasiness of lotions and like one thing that may take in oil, Dr. Talakoub says. Plus, it could possibly even assist your make-up keep put for longer.
“Powders are nice while you’ve obtained oily pores and skin or when it’s humid and sticky out and also you simply want one thing to soak up all that extra moisture in your face,” Dr. Shirazi provides. She and Dr. Talakoub each suggest Colorescience’s Brush-On Sunscreen SPF 50, which is available in 4 completely different shade shades to match your make-up. For a extra inexpensive and translucent different, it’s also possible to attempt SELF’s Wholesome Magnificence Award–profitable Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Sunscreen Powder Brush SPF 30, which is noncomedogenic and splendid for acne-prone of us. Whichever formulation you select, you’ll want to brush it throughout your complete face—not simply the oily components—for extra even protection.
Retouch with a transparent sunscreen stick.
You won’t suppose to maintain sunscreen in your purse or bag the way in which you’d with a lip balm, say, or a pack of gum. However in case you actually need to keep on prime of your SPF, Dr. Shirazi recommends maintaining a transparent sunscreen stick available, like Supergoop!’s Glow Stick Sunscreen SPF 50 or Neutrogena’s Mineral Extremely Sheer Sunscreen Stick SPF 50. These ultra-portable formulation make for simple, handy retouching on the go: Simply glide the stick throughout your face and mix with clear fingers or a magnificence sponge, she says.
