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    Is the SPF in my foundation enough to protect my face from sun damage?

    24 Oct 2019 4:35 PM | Posted by
    Jessica O'Donnell's picture
    Jessica O'Donnell
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    Dermatologists, skin care specialists and beauty editors alike have been preaching the importance of effective sunscreen for decades, and with two in three Australians being diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they’re 70, sun protection has never been more crucial for our long-term health.  

    Although most of us think we have SPF down pat, in a country where the ozone layer is dangerously thin (thanks, global warming) we need to be extremely cautious of the sun’s damaging rays every single day. 

    A seemingly easy way to get some sun protection into your routine is through a foundation with SPF…. Or is it? 

    Here, we speak to Lucy Kuper, a Dermal Specialist and Biologi’s Managing Director, to get the insider intel on just how useful foundation really is for sun protection…

    How much foundation would you have to put on for the SPF in the product to be effective?

    “The short answer is a lot! Roughly you would need to use about seven times the thickness you would normally use for liquid foundations, and 14 times the amount if it’s a powder foundation,” says Lucy. 

    As most people typically wear one pump of foundation, we decided to test out seven pumps, to see how it would actually look if we were to wear the amount needed to make it an effective sun protectant.

    Image: The amount of foundation bh’s Jess would usually use vs the amount needed for sun protection

    “I prefer a more natural foundation look (as seen in the before photo), so the thick, mask-like finish the seven pumps of foundation gave me was not something I’d want to wear every day (... or ever),” says bh’s Jess. “I’m not sure if the photo even does it justice, but it felt about as heavy as wearing a clay mask, while looking about as subtle as a sledgehammer.”

     

    Does wearing sunscreen under your foundation clog your pores?

    A major reason people steer clear of sunscreens is that they’re scared they’ll cause breakouts and clog their pores. 

    “Unfortunately, it’s true that sunscreen can clog your pores, so look for ones that say ‘non-comedogenic,” says Lucy.

    Non-comedogenic is basically a fancy way of saying the formulation typically won’t cause comedones (aka pore blockages).

    bh loves: La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Ultra Light SPF50+, Avène Sunscreen Spray SPF 50+, Dermalogica MediBac Clearing Oil Free Matte SPF30.  

    So is wearing a foundation with SPF 30+ better than wearing no SPF at all?

    For those of you thinking, “well, foundation with SPF is better than no SPF”, Lucy says you’re right - but with one big caveat. 

    “The key thing to remember is that SPF needs to be reapplied throughout the day and most people don’t do that with foundation! Thankfully, it does provide a better level of protection than nothing at all”. 

    Is the SPF in moisturiser as effective as regular sunscreen?

    Now we’ve covered foundations, what about other SPF hybrids?

    Turns out SPF moisturisers are lacking in protection too. “Even if it is at the same SPF level, it is essentially diluted with the other ingredients in the moisturiser,” says Lucy. So all in all, it’s better to opt for a dedicated sunscreen.

    “A regular sunscreen with a high SPF is going to be the best protection compared to a moisturiser or foundation version,” says Lucy. “And remember that sun protection should also go beyond that – at the risk of sounding like a school teacher, the best protection is when you slip, slop, slap and wrap!”

    “So, slip on some clothes, slop on some sunscreen, slap on a hat and wrap on some sunglasses. I think the slogan from the Cancer Council has progressed even further these days so it is important to not forget the basics in sun protection”. 

    What about tinted sunscreens?

    Sadly, not a loophole either. It’s the same story - mixing anything with your sunscreen dilutes the amount of protection the product gives. Lucy says, “They do work, however similar to moisturisers or foundation, it is a diluted sunscreen in which you might not get as potent coverage”.

    If the SPF in your foundation isn’t high enough to provide protection, why is it allowed to be included as though it is?

    Australia is known to be very strict with its SPF guidelines, so it’s strange that foundations seem to be exempt from these regulations. Lucy says “Unfortunately in Australia, the skincare and cosmetics industry is largely unregulated so that’s why it’s important to be very diligent and know what you’re buying and the effects it can have. When it comes to SPF in products, many brands import their products from overseas where there are different rules and standards”.

    What are some of your favourite sunscreens?

    Clearly, Lucy knows a tonne about sun protection, so who could be more qualified to choose our next favourite SPF? “Simple as That (simpleasthat.com.au, $29.95) sell a great 100 per cent natural sunscreen and Ultra Violette’s SPF 30 Mattifying Mineral Sunscreen (ultraviolette.com.au, $42) is great too!”

    Are you using enough sunscreen?

    Image credit: @kimkardashian

     

    Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?

    Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.

    Eau Thermale Avène Sunscreen Spray SPF 50+
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    La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF50+
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    120 Member Comments

    Susmat 15 Jan 2021 2:23 PM

    Interesting article. I hadn't really thought that other ingredients in a moisturizer would dilute the SPF factor

    BeautySwan88 30 Nov 2020 3:59 PM

    This cleared up some questions I had.

    RINNY 22 Nov 2020 3:48 PM

    I have always wondered if I was getting enough protection, I usually blend a few items together in the morning to put on my face. The majority of them have SPF in it but I don't pack them on so I might not be getting enough SPF coverage..

    Jacinta89 20 Nov 2020 8:02 PM

    I love Ultra Violette's Queen Screen for this - pop it on under moisturiser - doesn't feel heavy/oily at all and one of the few facial sunscreens that doesn't break me out. As a bonus it has a slight shimmer to it, so really brightens and males my skin glow.

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    Haley Christopher 17 Nov 2020 12:24 PM

    HOW DOCTOR TONY FIXED MY BROKEN MARRIAGE AND BRING BACK MY EX HUSBAND, you can Email Him Via: (drtonylovespellcaster@gmail.com) Call/WhatsApp: +2348154900380. Am Haley Christopher, am from Los Angeles CA, I want to share a testimony of my life to every one. i was married to one Mr Vega Smith, i love him so much and we have been married for the past 8 years now with three kids. when he went for a vacation in France he meant a lady called Vivian, so when he came back he told me that he is no longer interested in our relationship any more. i was so confuse and seeking for help everywhere, i didn't know what to do until I met my friend called miss Bella and I told her about my problem. she told me not to worry about it,that she had a similar problem before and introduce me to a great man called Dr. TONY the love spell caster who cast a spell on his ex and bring him back to her after 2 days. Miss Bella ask me to contact Dr.TONY the love spell caster for help, which I did. I contacted him to help me bring back my husband and he ask me not to worry about it that the gods of his four fathers will fight for me. He told me by two days he will re-unite my husband and I together. it was just like a dream to me and After two days my husband called and told me he is coming back home to sought out things with me, I was surprise when I saw him and he started crying for forgiveness. Right now I am the happiest woman on earth for what this great spell caster did for me and my husband, you can contact Dr. TONY with his Email: drtonylovespellcaster@gmail.com .He is the best spell caster who is very capable to help you, and his telephone number/whatssap number is +2348154900380 https://drtonylovespellcaster.blogspot.com Thank you once again Dr. TONY

    Miramarmari 3 Nov 2020 11:03 PM

    Very informative article about SPF

    Susmat 30 Sep 2020 3:24 PM

    Good to know as you can be fooled into thinking all is okay when you're using a products with an SPF

    Shop A Everyday 30 Sep 2020 11:58 AM

    i would like to try the ultra violette

    Jacinta89 20 Nov 2020 8:00 PM

    I have the Queen Screen and love it - I put it on underneath my moisturiser and it makes my skin glow, and doesn't feel heavy/oily at all. It is one of the few facial sunscreens I have used that doesn't break me out!

    Shop A Everyday 21 Nov 2020 11:43 AM

    ooh thanks, I must try it, is that the one with a lighter texture?

    Jacinta89 21 Nov 2020 12:21 PM

    Its the one in the dropper bottle - it applies like a serum :)

    Shop A Everyday 21 Nov 2020 4:52 PM

    Lovely, souds very light, i must buy some

    sootyblack_14 30 Sep 2020 9:15 AM

    I usually buy a separate sunscreen and put it over the top of my moisturiser... That way I'm covered either way...

    Angage 30 Sep 2020 7:29 AM

    I use Nivea most of the time.

    onlyoni 29 Sep 2020 6:07 PM

    I use the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face and Body Dry Touch 50+ on my face.

    RINNY 22 Nov 2020 3:46 PM

    Me too, I just love it but haven't noticed whether it comedore whatever they said.. haha! It doesn't feel like it blocks my pores.

    Sally10 29 Sep 2020 5:46 PM

    I always use a sunscreen on my face, over moisturiser and under makeup (if I'm wearing any).

    Ellyloves 29 Sep 2020 2:25 PM

    I recently found that I am deficient in vitamin D which is lack of sun.

    Shop A Everyday 30 Sep 2020 11:56 AM

    I got tested for this too and am also deficient, taking a vit D tablet daily now

    Berylr 2 Sep 2020 4:23 PM

    I had hoped that I was doing some good using a BBCream with SPF and that I was getting protection. This has me questioning what I do. Have had sun cancers so need to be wary. Will raise this with my dermatologist next time I am there.

    talk-a-lot 17 Jan 2020 3:39 PM

    A facial sunscreen that coats skin in a thin veil so as to not clog pores, all the while giving the ultimate SPF protection would be great. I think wearing a hat outdoors also helps protect skin somewhat.

    Ellyloves 9 Jan 2020 11:00 AM

    What happens if we put on moisturiser with SPF and the BB Cream with SPF on, how would that work?

    Candyfairy 22 Nov 2019 2:12 PM

    Wow, that's an eye opener. Luckily I don't spend too much time in the sun, but I do always apply some kind of SPF, I probably need to re-apply more often though.

    Simonja 19 Nov 2019 2:37 PM

    My skin burns easily, I'm fair skinned and blonde but I'm never long enough in the sun to get burnt. I'm one of those people that that thoroughly apply sunscreen once and then literally forget about reapplying all day.

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