The best base for beautiful makeup is soft, youthful-looking skin. If you’re constantly out in the sun, that skin is at risk for sun damage. Too much sun exposure can cause premature aging, wrinkles, sun spots, and even skin cancer. The good news is, however, that you can easily add some sunscreen to your makeup routine. We all know the rule of thumb when it comes to sunscreen: Wear it all day, every day. However, that being said, the topic of wearing sunscreen with makeup is not so cut and dry, as it brings up a series of questions and concerns.
Cleanse your face using rose water or any other mild cleanser. As with any skincare product, you need to start with a blank slate for the best results. Liberally apply your sunscreen and then wait a few minutes before applying your makeup. This will allow your skin some time to soak up your SPF properly and also make your makeup application easier. Keep in mind that your coverage needs to be thorough in order to protect your skin. In other words, you can’t just cover your problem areas. You need to lather up your whole face. Your lips can get sunburned (and subsequently chapped), so apply a lip balm with moisturizer.
Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or 50. For daily usage, an SPF of 30 is sufficient. It’s important to remember that even if you aren’t in direct sunlight or getting a sunburn, you are still receiving radiation from the sun. Sunlight and harmful UV rays can come in through windows. That means if you’re driving to work, riding a train with windows, or sitting at a desk by a window, you’re vulnerable.
Apply evenly to your entire face. Don’t forget your ears and neck! Use a generous amount, about half of a teaspoon, and apply more if you don’t feel fully covered. This is the most important product you’ll use on your face, so don’t skimp. Use a mirror to make sure you don’t miss any spots. Experiment with different types of sunscreens from the drug store or even your local beauty supply store. While some may feel heavy and thick on your skin, there are also lightweight lotions and serums on the market that are perfect for makeup wearers.
Pat the sunscreen until it’s fully absorbed into your skin. It may feel like more product than you’re used to applying to your face, but keep patting! By patting the sunscreen into your skin, rather than rubbing it, you will avoid irritating your skin. It will also ensure that your sunscreen is applied evenly over your face. Give your sunscreen three to five minutes to soak in fully before beginning your makeup routine. If you want to use a tinted SPF, layer it on top of a normal sunscreen. Cosmetic products with sun protection aren’t as effective as products geared solely toward sun protection. Use a tinted SPF product as extra protection, rather than your sole protection.
Apply your makeup. Trade in your powder foundation for a liquid or cream foundation. This will blend most naturally with the texture of the sunscreen and prevent you from getting the dreaded “cakey” appearance. When the powder is applied on top of sunscreen, that it will probably cover any spots you may have missed. Apply your eye makeup as you normally would.
It’s not recommended to mix your sunscreen with your makeup or moisturizer. It may save you some time, but there is always a risk that two products won’t react well to each other. You can also dilute the sunscreen and reduce the amount of coverage you are getting.
When you’re planning to stay out in the sun for longer than 15 minutes, mineral makeup with SPF can enhance your protection if layered over a sunscreen product.
Dermatologists and healthcare professionals warn that we should reapply sunscreen after two hours, but what if you have already applied makeup? Reapplying sunscreen to a made up face is definitely going to ruin the makeup right?
Put sunscreen over your makeup only when you’re re-applying it. If you have a face of makeup on and are going out into the bright sun, you’ll need to remove your makeup, apply sunscreen, and then re-apply your makeup if you like. This can be time-consuming and inconvenient, but it’s the only way your sunscreen will be fully effective. Take the time to apply your sunscreen properly now and avoid yourself the hassle of covering wrinkles and sunspots later.
Apply a physical sunblock over makeup. Most sunscreens on the market have chemicals in their formula that actually prevent sun from hitting the skin by absorbing the rays. Physical sunblock, however, works by creating a physical barrier between the skin and the sun.
Use a spray sunscreen. Because your makeup is already applied, a spray sunblock will be your best bet to avoid ruining it.
Consider powder sunscreen. This is another option that you can apply on top of makeup.
Reapply generously and reapply often. Cream and powder sunscreens should be reapplied over your makeup every two hours, while mists and sprays should be reapplied every single hour.
