Can You Apply Sunscreen Over Makeup?

Sometimes you wonder who writes the rules. OK, you understand the concept of re-applying sunscreen every two hours when you’re at the beach or the pool. After all, your skin’s already probably bare, and it doesn’t matter if you have streaks of zinc-oxide cream on your nose or shoulders.

But you live in Texas! It’s sunny and hot the majority of the year! What if you work by a sunny office window? Or drive all day long? Or have lunch dates and meetings on verandas and outdoor cafes? Do you really have to remove your makeup, wash your face, and layer on cosmetics and sunscreen four to five times a day?

Our expert dermatologists want your skin to stay safe, healthy, beautiful, and cancer-free. But we also want sun protection to be easy for you as well as effective. If you wear makeup and sunscreen, here’s what to know about re-applying every two hours.

Touch-up with powder

Did you know that some sunscreens are actually cosmetic-quality powders? Colorescience® produces a line of sunscreens called Sunforgettable® that offer broad-spectrum UV protection and sun protection factors (SPFs) of 50. 

Sunforgettable products are known as UV-protectors because they don’t let dangerous UVA and UVB rays penetrate your skin. They also don’t contain dangerous chemicals that could enter your bloodstream, like most cheap drugstore sunscreens do.

In fact, Colorescience brush-on minerals also protect you from other environmental stressors, such as pollutants. Their Sunforgettable® line features brush-on mineral powders that come untinted, tinted, and bronzed. 

The brush and powder are self-contained in a small tube that makes toting it in your purse or briefcase easy and mess-free. Re-applying sunscreen is as easy as touching up your powder to remove the shine from your face! You’ll look forward to your two-hour touch-ups.

Create protective layers

Colorescience isn’t the only high-quality skin care line that offers products that protect you from the sun. Both SkinCeuticals and Elta MC® feature moisturizers for the face, neck, and eyes that are chemical-free sunscreens, too. Many of these also come in tinted formulations. Colorescience even offers sunscreen foundations and lipsticks.

Therefore, if you don’t like powders, you can simply re-apply one of your tinted moisturizers or foundation choices over your base layer of sunscreen makeup. After all, to stay even-toned and dewy, you may need to refresh your foundation throughout the day anyway.

The tinted sunscreens tend to be lightweight, so you won’t feel greasy when you apply or reapply them. You can always use blotting papers to absorb excess oil first, so your re-applied tinted sunscreen foundation looks even and goes on smoothly.

Throw some shade

Although sunscreen’s important, so is staying out of the sun as much as possible. Avoid the sun when it’s highest in the sky, between 10 am and 2 pm. Ideally, minimize your exposure until as late as 4 pm.

Treat yourself to flattering, stylish, wide-brimmed hats that you can use for a variety of occasions. Don’t forget the Hollywood-level sunglasses, either. Not only do they protect the delicate skin around your eyes, they also protect your eyes themselves from damage, including cataracts.

Look for shady areas when you’re outside, such as umbrellas and trees. And even though the sun may make you feel like peeling off layers of clothing, resist the urge: Light, breathable shirts or long skirts can also keep the sun from penetrating your skin. You can even buy tight-woven fabrics that have their own SPF.

Learn what medical-grade skin care and sunscreen options are best for your type of skin and your lifestyle by contacting our skin and sunscreen experts today at the Specialists in Dermatology location nearest you. If you haven’t yet, you can also book your annual skin cancer screening to be sure you and your skin stay safe.