You’ve in all probability heard it on repeat: For correct solar safety, you could reapply, reapply, reapply that SPF. Particularly, it is best to goal to the touch up your sunscreen each two hours if you’re chilling outdoors, and much more continuously for those who’re swimming or sweating, as SELF beforehand reported.
That sounds simple sufficient—particularly for those who’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 presupposed to slather goopy sunscreen in your face with out ruining the inspiration, blush, and bronzer you so fastidiously utilized this morning?
“Ideally, you have to be reapplying with a lotion, cream, or gel,” Azadeh Shirazi, MD, a dermatologist at La Jolla Dermatology in California, tells SELF. “They’re usually thicker and are typically more practical by supplying you with extra even protection in comparison with sprays.”
After all, that’s not at all times sensible with a full face of make-up. And sadly, no, you’ll be able to’t simply go exhausting below your basis: Chances are you’ll assume you’re good to go together 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 might burn your pores and skin, trigger hyperpigmentation, and enhance your danger 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 gained’t present as a lot safety as if you initially put it on.” That’s why reapplication is so vital, 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 might even penetrate via your automotive or bed room window,” Dr. Talakoub says.
The excellent news is, sure, there actually is a mess-free option to reapply with out having to redo your face. Actually, there are a number of strategies that not solely supply longer-lasting protection in opposition to solar injury, however could even improve your look. Simply needless to say none of those choices ought to change a correct, nickel-size base coat of broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or larger), which belongs below your basis, Dr. Shirazi and Dr. Talakoub say.
For all you make-up devotees, listed here are 4 sensible and dermatologist-approved methods to remain secure—and nonetheless look good—through the scorching days forward.
Use an SPF mineral powder.
Simply as you’ll maintain 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 possibility if you detest the greasiness of lotions and like one thing that may take in oil, Dr. Talakoub says. Plus, it could even assist your make-up keep put for longer.
“Powders are nice if you’ve received 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 advocate Colorescience’s Brush-On Sunscreen SPF 50, which is available in 4 totally different shade shades to match your make-up. For a extra inexpensive and translucent different, you too can attempt SELF’s Wholesome Magnificence Award–profitable Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Sunscreen Powder Brush SPF 30, which is noncomedogenic and excellent for acne-prone of us. Whichever method you select, remember to brush it throughout your complete face—not simply the oily elements—for extra even protection.
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Retouch with a transparent sunscreen stick.
You may not assume to maintain sunscreen in your purse or bag the best way you’ll with a lip balm, say, or a pack of gum. However for those who actually need to keep on prime of your SPF, Dr. Shirazi recommends conserving 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.