The Ultimate Guide to SPF Makeup: How to Look Fab and Stay Safe

SPF makeup is makeup that has sunscreen in it. It helps you slay your look and protect your skin from the sun at the same time. SPF stands for sun protection factor, which tells you how well a product can block the nasty UVB rays that cause sunburn and skin cancer. SPF makeup can be anything from foundation, moisturizer, powder, lip balm, eyeshadow, blush, etc.

SPF makeup is awesome and easy to use, especially if you are already wearing makeup anyway. But SPF makeup is not enough to keep your skin safe from the sun. It may not cover your whole face, last long enough, or protect you from both UVB and UVA rays that cause wrinkles and dark spots. Here are some dos and don’ts to remember when using SPF makeup:

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Dos for SPF makeup:

Do use SPF makeup on top of your regular sunscreen, not instead of it. Skin doctors say you should put on a lot of sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and broad-spectrum protection before putting on any makeup. This will make sure you have a good layer of protection that covers your whole face and neck evenly. SPF makeup can then help you boost or refresh your sun protection during the day.
Do pick SPF makeup that suits your skin type and tone. Just like regular makeup, SPF makeup comes in different colors, textures, and finishes to match different tastes and needs. For example, if you have oily or acne-prone skin, you may want to go for a matte or oil-free formula that won’t make you break out or look greasy. If you have dry or sensitive skin, you may want to look for a moisturizing or calming formula that won’t make your skin angry or flaky. If you have dark or uneven skin tone, you may want to look for a tinted or color-correcting formula that can help smooth out your skin tone and hide any flaws or marks.
Do reapply SPF makeup every two hours or after sweating or swimming. Just like regular sunscreen, SPF makeup can wear off over time because of heat, humidity, water, sweat, or rubbing. To keep your sun protection strong, you need to reapply your SPF makeup often during the day, especially if you are outside or doing something active. You can use a spray or powder with SPF to help set your makeup and refresh your sun protection without ruining your look.
Do check the expiry date and storage conditions of your SPF makeup. Like any other makeup product, SPF makeup can go bad or get worse over time because of light, heat, air, or germs. Bad or old SPF makeup can lose its power, hurt your skin, or grow nasty stuff. To avoid this, you should always check the expiry date of your SPF makeup and throw it away if it is too old or has signs of going bad, like changes in color, texture, smell, or feel. You should also keep your SPF makeup in a cool, dry, and dark place away from sunlight. You should also not share your SPF makeup with others or use dirty tools to apply it to prevent spreading germs.

Don’ts for SPF makeup:

Don’t depend on SPF makeup alone for sun protection. As we said before, SPF makeup is not enough to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. You need to use a lot of sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and broad-spectrum protection as your main source of sun protection and put it on before any makeup. You also need to do other things to stay safe from the sun, like wearing clothes, hats, sunglasses, and staying in the shade whenever you can.
Don’t be stingy with the amount of SPF makeup you put on. One of the reasons why SPF makeup is not enough for sun protection is that most people don’t put on enough of it to get the full SPF level on the label. According to skin doctors, SPF is usually based on putting on 1.3-1.5 ml for the face – around 2 finger lengths. But most people only put on about one-seventh of that amount when using makeup. This means that if you are using an SPF 30 foundation, you may only be getting an SPF of 4 or 5. To get the most out of your SPF makeup, you should put on a lot and spread it all over your face and neck until you get the coverage and finish you want.
Don’t mix or layer different SPF products without checking if they work well together. Sometimes, you may want to use more than one SPF product on your face, like a primer with SPF, a foundation with SPF, and a powder with SPF. But not all SPF products work well with each other, as they may have different ingredients that can mess with each other’s effectiveness or stability. For example, some chemical sunscreens can make some mineral sunscreens weaker or useless, and the other way around. To avoid this, you should always read the labels of your SPF products and make sure they have the same or similar ingredients. You should also do a test on your arm or neck before putting them on your face to see how they react with each other and your skin.
Don’t use SPF makeup that is past its prime or has been exposed to extreme conditions. Another reason why SPF makeup may not work as well as you hope is that it may have lost its strength or quality because of age or bad storage. As we said before, SPF makeup can go bad or get worse over time because of light, heat, air, or germs. This can affect its color, texture, smell, performance, and safety. To avoid this, you should always check the expiry date of your SPF makeup and throw it away if it is too old or has signs of going bad, like changes in color, texture, smell, or feel. You should also keep your SPF makeup in a cool, dry, and dark place away from sunlight and avoid leaving it in your car or in extreme temperatures.

Conclusion:

SPF makeup can be a great way to spice up your beauty and sun protection routine, as it can help you look amazing and protect your skin from the sun at the same time. But SPF makeup should not be your only source of sun protection, as it may not cover your whole face, last long enough, or protect you from both UVB and UVA rays. You should always use a lot of sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and broad-spectrum protection before putting on any makeup and reapply it every two hours or after sweating or swimming. You should also choose SPF makeup that matches your skin type and tone, check its compatibility with other SPF products, and store it properly to ensure its effectiveness and safety.