"The groundwork of all happiness is health." - Leigh Hunt

How should I add sunscreen to my skincare routine now that it's getting warmer?

Sun exposure is the leading explanation for skin cancer – including essentially the most deadly form, melanoma. Caused by high levels of sun exposure An estimated 7,200 melanomas occur in Australia each year..

Too much sun exposure may also result in premature aging, leading to wrinkles, effective lines and age spots.

Could a change in your skincare routine help prevent it?



When should I start wearing sunscreen?

In Australia, we're advised. Wear sunscreen On days when the ultraviolet (UV) index reaches three or higher. For most Australians that is year-round. Weather Forecast or Cancer Council Free Sun Smart App There are easy ways to examine the UV index.

In addition to “primary sunscreens,” that are specific sun protection products, many beauty products, reminiscent of foundations, powders, and moisturizers, also contain a sun protection factor (SPF). They are called “secondary sunscreens” because they've a primary purpose aside from sun protection.

Primary sunscreens are regulated. Administration of therapeutic equipment And SPF should be determined by testing on human skin. SPF measures how quickly skin burns with and without sunscreen in strong UV light. If the skin takes ten seconds to burn without sunscreen, and 300 seconds to burn with sunscreen, the SPF is 30 (300 divided by 10).

Is the SPF in makeup or moisturizer enough to guard me all day?

The easy answer? no.

Also, when people use moisturizer or makeup that comprises SPF, they sometimes don't take the three predominant steps that make sunscreen effective:

  1. Putting in a reasonably hefty sum
  2. Covers all sunlit areas.
  3. Re-apply commonly when out for a everlasting time period.

one the study 39 participants applied their usual SPF makeup/moisturizer and were photographed with UV photography within the morning, then within the afternoon, without reapplying throughout the day. UV photography allowed researchers to visualise how much protection these products were still providing.

They found that participants missed parts of the face with early application and that SPF products provided less coverage by midday.

Consider how much you're using.
Pixels/Cottonborough Studio

Another consideration is the kind of product. Liquid foundation could be applied thicker than powder makeup, which is frequently applied flippantly.

gave Administration of therapeutic equipment Primary tests sunscreens to be effective when applied to 2mg per 2 square centimeters of skin.

For face, ears and neck, it's a few teaspoon (5mL) – are you applying that much powder?

It's unlikely that individuals will cake on their moisturizer and reapply throughout the day, so these products aren't effective sun protection in the event that they're overlooked for long periods of time when used alone.

If skin products with SPF aren't protecting me well, should I stop using them?

These products should still serve a protective purpose, viz Some research suggests that layering sunscreen and makeup products can assist cover areas missed during a single application.

When layering, SPF aspects don't add up. If you wear SPF 30 sunscreen and makeup with SPF 15, it will not be the identical as SPF 45. You'll get protection from the very best product (on this scenario, it's SPF 30).

An excellent metaphor is that SPF is just like the “icing on the cake” in makeup. Use it as an add-on and if areas are missed with the initial sunscreen application, there's one other likelihood to cover all areas with SPF makeup.



Should I apply sunscreen before or after makeup?

It is dependent upon whether you're using a chemical or physical sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens have to be absorbed into the skin to dam and absorb the sun's rays, while physical sunscreens sit on the skin's surface and act as a shield.

When the predominant ingredient is zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, it's a physical sunscreen – think the classic zinc stick you used to placed on your nose and lips on the beach. Physical sunscreens are really useful for individuals with sensitive skin and although they was once quite thick and sticky, newer versions feel more like chemical sunscreens.

For maximum sun protection when using chemical sunscreen, apply sunscreen first, followed by moisturizer, then makeup. Give the sunscreen a number of minutes to dry and sink into the skin before beginning to apply other products. Chemical sunscreen must be applied 20 minutes before going outside.

Man applies sunscreen on his face.
Allow chemical sunscreens to dry for a number of minutes before applying moisturizer.
Pixels/August de Richelieu

When using physical sunscreen, apply moisturizer first, then sunscreen, after which makeup.

When reapplying sunscreen, it's really useful to clean the makeup off to clean up, but this won't be practical for many individuals, so gently patting the sunscreen over the makeup is another choice. Physical sunscreens will likely be simplest for reapplying makeup.

What form of sunscreen should I take advantage of?

The best sunscreen is the one you really like wearing. Protecting your skin each day (and never only for beach trips!) is important in Australia's high UV climate, and must be done with a basic sunscreen.

Look for sunscreens which can be labeled “broad spectrum,” which suggests they cover each UVA and UVB, and have at the very least SPF30.

Then experiment with features like matte finish, milky texture or fragrance-free to seek out your favorite sunscreen.



No sunscreen provides 100% protection so you need to also use other sun protection equipment reminiscent of protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, using shade and avoiding the sun during UV hours.

Skin care and makeup products with SPF are higher than nothing, but don't rely solely in your morning makeup for all-day sun protection.