It can be confusing when it comes to how to wear sunscreen and makeup. And it’s even more perplexing trying to figure out how to reapply your sunscreen over it. But don’t lose heart––just keep reading to learn how you can wear SPF AND makeup…and look beautiful doing it.
So you’ve committed to wearing SPF every single day, no matter what. Congrats! We’re super proud of you. But we have a couple of questions… 1. Are you applying the right amount of sunscreen every morning, with or without makeup? (That’s SPF 30 to 50, by the way.) 2. Are you reapplying your SPF over your makeup every two hours? (Which is an absolute must because it degrades over time or just gets rubbed off.) Chances are you may be missing the mark on both of these…and that’s where we come in. We’ve got the perfect makeup-loving SPF wardrobe for you that won’t compromise either of these things. And here’s what it entails…
First, prep with a hydrating moisturizer and SPF in one.
Enter: Superscreen. This is our does-it-all moisturizer that hydrates and protects every skin type with SPF 40. It preps skin wonderfully for a primer or foundation, thanks to a blend of moisturizing ingredients like blue-green algae and glycerin. Throw this moisturizer on in the morning, and then go ahead and apply whatever primer and foundation you like and you’ll be good to go.
Next, speaking of primers…
Thankfully, we’ve created two stellar ones that work for a variety of skin types.
If you love primers that hydrate your skin and leave behind a slightly glowy skin effect, look no further than Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40. This primer is a total winner for every skin tone and type, especially dry and combination ones, thanks to its lightweight feel and clean ingredients. Fortified with meadowfoam seed complex that works to boost the skin’s hydration levels, this primer is also packed with SPF 40 to keep you ultra-protected.
The best part about Unseen (in our humble opinion)? It’s completely invisible. So if you’ve found it virtually impossible to find a sunscreen that won’t leave a white cast or cause flashback, consider your problem solved.
What if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin and need a mineral primer, or just crave a matte finish? Reach for our 100% Mineral Matte Screen SPF 40. This is our primer that uses mineral sunscreen actives to protect the skin (especially sensitive skin) from the sun, while absorbing excess oil thanks a matte finish. The translucent tint also blends into the color of your skin to help even out any red spots, and it’s especially great for those who suffer from hyperpigmentation or rosacea.
Now it’s time to talk about foundation and SPF…
If you haven’t opted for Superscreen, Unseen or Matte Screen and you think you’ll just get your sunscreen fix from your foundation or tinted moisturizer with SPF, then we hate to break it to you, but that’s just not OK! Even if your foundation or tinted moisturizer has SPF 30 in it, you’ll almost never apply enough to fully protect your face. It’s important to get into the habit of wearing an entire SPF wardrobe (i.e. layering more than one SPF product like Superscreen and/or Unseen underneath your SPF-spiked foundation) to ensure full protection.
It’s also rare to find a foundation or tinted moisturizer that actually contains SPF 30 or above. Fortunately we have a color-correcting cream that gets the job done, all with SPF 35 to boot. Our 100% Mineral Daily Correct CC Cream is loved for creating a flawless finish, thanks to concealing things like fine lines and hyperpigmentation. It offers a bit more coverage than a tinted moisturizer but doesn’t feel heavy or tacky like traditional foundation. Oh, and it also works on all skin types, even sensitive ones. When you use this along with your other SPF favorites, you can feel confident you’re protected and ready to take on the day.
Finally, decide with reapplication method (powder or spray) works for you.
“Just like the saying ‘all good things must come to an end’ applies to everything fun in life, the same goes for sunscreen,” says New Jersey-based dermatologist Jennifer David. “Whether you’re wearing a mineral or chemical sunscreen, it only lasts for about two to three hours. So reapplication is necessary to maintain full protection from the sun throughout the day, especially if you’re treating something like hyperpigmentation from melasma.”
“Whether you’re wearing a mineral or chemical sunscreen, it only lasts for about two to three hours. So reapplication is necessary to maintain full protection from the sun throughout the day, especially if you’re treating something like hyperpigmentation from melasma.”
But even if your skin is seemingly perfect, reapplication is still key to guarding your skin against UV rays and environmental stressors that can accelerate the development of wrinkles, dark spots and other signs of aging.
Luckily, we have two tried-and-true methods of reapplying SPF that get the job done and have the power to lock your makeup into place in the process. Here’s how to wear sunscreen and makeup at the same time:
Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50 works wonderfully for those with combination to dry skin, who want a no-fuss, fast way to set their makeup and refresh their SPF throughout the day with broad spectrum protection. Simply spray this mist over your finished look to set your makeup, then spray it again every two hours for an SPF refresh.
If you have skin that may become oily throughout the day, then 100% Mineral Setting Powder SPF 45 is for you. This formula is 100 percent mineral, and it absorbs excess shine while leaving behind a beautiful, matte finish. Here are a few tips from David to keep yourself adequately protected: “Make sure the brush is fully saturated with the powder and that each area of the face has a nice even layer,” she says. “I recommend re-saturating the brush after applying to each quadrant of the face (right cheek, left cheek, forehead, nose and chin).”
The bottom line…
Listen up, makeup mavens! You’ll be doing yourself a huge favor by starting your day with a fully-protected face, and you can do it all using makeup-loving SPF like our moisturizer, primers, or CC Cream (bonus points if you use all three!). Then, reapply, reapply, reapply your SPF throughout the day with our setting mist or powder. When it comes to how to wear sunscreen and makeup at the same time, it’s a breeze.
+Do you have any awesome tips on how to wear makeup and sunscreen together? We’d love to know them in the comments below!
