For those who plan to be exposed to the sun but don’t want to give up on their beauty, makeup with SPF (sun protection factor) is an option. Experts warn that despite the appeal of high protection, using these products alone is not enough.
Makeup products that come in the form of stick foundations and multifunctional color foundations that can be used as blush, eyeshadow, and lipstick will list the benefits of containing SPF on the label. Brazilian brands such as Ollie and Pink Cheeks have become a reference point for “all-purpose products” that promise to protect skin from the sun, and are especially popular among athletes.
Although these can be supplemented, this makeup is not a replacement for using traditional sunscreen, says biomedical esthetician Emilyn Pinheiro.
She says this happens because makeup focuses on beauty and finish, and tends to use physical filters such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which give products color and coverage. Traditional facial sunscreens prioritize performance and durability, combining physical and chemical filters to increase protection.
Another point where makeup, including sunscreen, becomes insufficiently protective is the ideal amount to reach the recommended SPF. “The desired amount of sunscreen is high, equivalent to a coffee spoonful for the face and neck. Makeup creates an exaggerated and disfiguring effect,” explains dermatologist Marina Cintra, member of the Brazilian Dermatological Association in the São Paulo region.
Doctors recommend makeup with sunscreen in certain situations as an additional reapply for added protection. “But it’s also no substitute for reapplying your sunscreen,” he says. In addition to using a good sunscreen with a high SPF, we recommend that melasma patients supplement with a physical barrier, such as a tinted product.
The positive difference with this type of makeup is that it has added sun protection and protection against UV and visible light, says Pinheiro. “Makeup without SPF won’t damage your pre-applied protector, but you won’t get this added benefit.”
To avoid negative effects on the application of traditional sunscreen on the lower layers, it is necessary to wait until the cosmetics dry on the skin before applying other layers, he added.
At Sintra, we recommend following a morning skin care routine that includes: Wash your face properly and lightly, use a moisturizer depending on your skin type, apply sunscreen, and then apply makeup products if needed.
When purchasing sunscreen products, dermatologists remember that sunscreens should ideally be Anvisa registered, have an SPF of 30 or higher, UVA (PPD) of 10 or higher, and contain iron oxide and titanium dioxide, which provide physical protection.
Link exists: Did you like this text? Subscribers can access it for free up to 7 times a day from any link. Click on the blue “F” below.
About The Author
