Let's talk sunscreen (over makeup) - YouLookFab Forum

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Let's talk sunscreen (over makeup)

Kim

Veteran

I'm pretty good about applying facial sunscreen before I do my makeup in the morning, and when I'm out and about I do my body, but I've yet to come up with a way that I can re-apply sunscreen every two hours to my face when I'm out. I'm going to London UK in September and will be outdoors a lot with the sight seeing and want to try and find a convenient way to handle this.

Any ideas? I don't generally use powders because my face is more than 50 now and powders just age me. I'm in Canada so some options will be limited, but I'm more interested in *how* you wise ladies handle this issue. My idea of just forgetting about it (so I don't mess up my makeup) is not going to fly with a lot of outside time.

Going without makeup is NOT an option, I'm not 20 or even 30 or 40 anymore...LOL

So wise ladies, what say you?

General

25 replies

Latest reply was from Periwinkle

Anonymous

I'm not sure if you can get this from QVC in Canada, but QVC UK have a sunscreen range called Ultrasun that is meant to be only used once a day. Here's a face one : http://www.qvcuk.com/Ultrasun-.....cm_sp=VIEW. You could just wear it under make-up in the morning and you're good to go.

Diana

Veteran

I think sunscreen containing physical (as opposed to chemical) blocks, like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, does not need to be reapplied as long as it's not getting washed off (like in the ocean or by excessive sweating). The difference is that these physical agents don't break down with sun and light exposure. They can feel pastier though, and high concentrations can make your skin look a little chalky.

I use a moisturizer containing zinc oxide (and octinoxate, a chemical block) daily, and a zinc/titanium combo when I need stronger stuff (like at the beach). I hardly ever wear foundation though so I don't know how they look under makeup. Also, I don't burn easily so I admit I am not super careful about sunblock. I am allergic to one of the chemical UVA blocks used in most higher SPF sunscreens these days so they're not an option for me in any case. The zinc/titanium sunscreens are often found with the all natural or organic products in the drug store.

Glory

Veteran

I started this product 4 months ago and haven't had a burn once. I am very fair and burn easily. I have to say that I also wear a hat most times if I am going to be out for awhile or at the beach/poolside.
I purchased it in Canada from the derms office. I apply in the morning a single time and have no need to re-apply. I am very impressed so far.
Elta MD Sckincare. UV SPF 40. I cannot remember what I paid but it was quite a bit more than drugstore brands. It is 1.7 oz and is just running out now.

Anonymous

I just found out the Ultrasun range is available from Amazon.com.

Louise

Veteran

Would you open to wearing a hat? X

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I agree with Diana. I've used a titanium dioxide sunscreen, over my moisturizer but under makeup, and it lasts for hours of sightseeing (i.e., not sweating a lot).

Kristin SF

Veteran

I know you said no powder, but this one looks very interesting:
http://www.colorescience.com/product_p/1350.htm

I saw someone say this is the "best" - I'm going to check it out. Plus it looks perfect for on-the-go reapplications, esp when traveling.

I've also used La Roche Posay's tinted sunscreen. I find it feels a bit heavy (but I don't normally wear liquid foundation makeup - only powder), but you might like it. It comes in a range of SPF's. And it's paraben-free!
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/brows.....8;navActio

Good luck!

unfrumped

Veteran

pI like the ideas of the blocks with the zinc. Another option, for face, is to use a tinted moisturizer block and re-wash and re-appy.
I think the idea of re-applying to your face, in a non-swimming situation, is as noted above, more likely to be related to sweating, wiping, etc and so by that time you would not necessarily want to smear something else on, but might want clean refreshed skin. This would be different from someone swimming.

The other aspect, as noted, is all dermatologists will tell you not to rely solely on sunblock, but to include hats, sunglasses, shirts ,bandanas, all types of protective clothing. I would not trust my face to 10 hours of sun with only a sunblock. Also, there's the top of your head, for instance, (mine can sunburn at the part); neck; and so on.

deb

Veteran

Many foundations now have sunscreen in them. Maybe a combo, sunscreen before the foundation and a one of these will give you enough protection.

Mellllls

Veteran

I haven't had a problem putting sunscreen over makeup.

T-Rex

Veteran

I checked your profile before answering, to see if you are in the US or not. Since you live in Canada, you actually have ready access to newer and better sunscreens than those of us in the US do. Personally, I have ordered sunscreen from Canada in the past just to get around this.

http://online.wsj.com/article/.....62312.html

There are lots more articles about this on the net.

If I were you, I would check around at some of the beauty counters at my local department stores, and ask for samples of their sunscreens and foundations that contain sunscreens. I would also check online retailers and local drugstores, just to see if I could score some samples. Then, I would test drive them as much as possible before my trip. You may have to rely on articles and reviews of the products to see how long the sunscreen ingredients last, but you will be able to tell first hand if they feel good on your face, and if they play well with your other cosmetics.

And, I agree with the other commenters who suggested augmenting your sunscreen with physical barriers such as hats and sunglasses.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I think a physical barrier is still the best bet - there are tons of BB creams that have up to SPF30 in them; I use the Revlon one if I'm going to be outside for too long.

Kim

Veteran

I always wear sunglasses when I'm outside, both summer and winter. I feel naked without them. Now if only I could find a hat I like that fit my big head...LOL

Thank you all for your suggestions, I have some research to do now! I appreciate all the replies!

Gaylene

Veteran

I need to be careful with sunscreens because my skin can't tolerate several of the common chemical sunblocks. And, at 64, I also find powders and foundations tend to cake and streak much more readily than they did when I was younger. But I also like to be outdoors quite a bit in the summer so I've spent some time experimenting to find a solution that works for me.

My current regime is to apply a mineral based moisturizer with an SPF 30 from Paula's Choice every morning after washing my face. If I know that I'm going to be out in the sun for several hours, I use Avene Sun High Protection SPF 50 Tinted Compact which is easy to reapply when needed. It took a bit of practice to learn how to apply it so it looks natural, but the stuff really works for me.

RedM

I'd second Glory's recommendation of Elta. I've used their UV Shield SPF 45 every day for a couple of years now and it has very good staying power. I buy it from Amazon.

froggiebecky

Veteran

If it were me, I'd apply my regular moisturizer, then a higher-rated sunscreen, and then makeup as usual.
After that, I'd start pulling out some hats! These are the women that can rock a fascinator...they'll have some fantastic options (and not a bad option for a souvenir!)

MsMaven

Veteran

Don't forget to put sunscreen on the top of your feet if you are wearing sandals or ballet type shoes. Currently I am treating pre-cancers on the top of my foot and on my hands. The only time I used sunblock on my feet was when I went to the beach. It never occurred to me to put it one when I was just sight-seeing or out and about. For me, the hands are a challenge because I wash my hands so frequently and I forget to renew.

I'll leave the nose for another day and another post. Just make sure you keep your nose super-protected. Even a wide-brimmed hat can leave your nose susceptible.

lisag

Member

May I suggest Clarins BB cream. Great coverage and SPF 25. You can easily reapply it if needed. It is also not shiny. You can get it at Shoppers Drug Mart

Parsley

Veteran

When I'm going to be in the sun a lot, I wear my Shiseido tinted sunscreen, and if I need to touch up I just reapply a little more.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/sh.....spf-43/345

Alternatively, I dab on some of this:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/sh.....gin=catego

Or sometimes I'll use this over makeup, and it goes on really invisible- not too powdery:
http://www.sephora.com/instant.....;ci_sku=11

Adelfa

Veteran

I play around with sunscreen quite a lot and own it in many forms. However if I want to apply it over makeup I just rub some between my palms (usually a Neutrogena), and then go pat-pat-pat over makeup. This has always worked well for me and doesn't mess up the makeup.

Glory

Veteran

Kim they carry the elta on amazon.ca. I am going to price compare as a trip to the dermie in scheduled for today

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I use a high SPF moisturizer after washing my face or showering in the morning, then add a tinted moisturizer also with SPF -- this, along with a hat, seems to do the trick for a long day out and about unless I go swimming, in which case I reapply the tinted moisturizer afterwards. I also tend to head for the shade whenever possible -- I am not a "bake out in the sun" kind of person. Hats are my friends! Skin cancer is definitely a concern in my family, so I try to be careful.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

My current favourite facial sunscreen is SkinCeuticals:

http://www.skinceuticals.com/_.....spf-50.htm

It's slightly tinted (not a lot) and could be worn alone, or with foundation on top. It works well with foundation in that it doesn't ruin makeup. The Skinceuticals Physical Fusion sunscreen is my all-time favourite facial sunscreen ever. It has a really pretty effect on the face, so pretty that you might find yourself skipping the actual makeup! Note: apply - and it seems almost greasy/oily. Let it sit and dry a bit (maybe five minutes tops) before applying makeup. It dries to a non-greasy finish.

Meanwhile - in past years, I've really liked Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunscreen:

http://www.neutrogena.com/prod......do?sortby

This particular version is mattifying - very helpful in humid, hot situations. Makeup actually stays on longer and better than without it. I've tried many other variations of Neutrogena sunscreen, and this one is the best of them, in terms of working well with makeup in hot summer situations.

In terms of re-applying actual sunscreen - I don't normally do this. But, when I do want a bit of a touch-up, I usually apply Jane Iredale pure pressed mineral makeup, which has sunscreen in it. It's in a pretty compact that I can carry in my purse for touch-ups if/when needed. It's a pressed powder though, so you might not like it after all. Just sharing that this is one of the ways my sunscreen gets "re-applied"...face gets a bit oily, makeup needs a touch-up, and out comes the JI pure pressed compact.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ja...../3053523?c

I tend to agree that physical sunscreens are better than the chemical ones, and the SkinCeuticals I mentioned above doesn't have the usual 'white cast' that you can sometimes get with physical sunblocks.

Also agree on hats, spraying a spray sunscreen on the top of your head before you head out, remembering your feet and hands etc.

Sarah

I love the La Roche Posay Anthithelios - 60spf and good for UVB and UVA rays. Also, available at any Shoppers , so easy to find.

I know you said no powder, but there's one by Peter Thomas Roth that's supposed to be quite good and is getting great reviews. It might be better than nothing, and certainly better than a burn!

It's supposed to be available at Sephora, but I haven't seen it yet here in Calgary so I haven't been able to try it myself!

Periwinkle

If I need to reapply sunscreen over makeup, I use one of the sheer spray-types, spray it into my palms and pat (not rub) it onto my face. That leaves my makeup pretty much intact, and I just freshen with a little bit more powder and lipstick when the sunscreen is dried. I haven't figured out how to do it neatly with a creamy sunscreen, although maybe if you used just a little bit, the same principle could work.