You know you need to slather on sunscreen before a pool day, afternoon hike or any other time you’re outside for a while. But for everyday use, does a moisturizer or foundation that contains sunscreen suffice?
The AAD recommends using sunscreen that’s SPF 30 or higher, water-resistant and broad-spectrum, meaning it protects against both ultraviolet A and B rays. And you should wear it every day, year-round.
Several moisturizers (as well as foundation, powders and other cosmetics) contain SPF 30 or more, but research is lacking on how these products measure up “in terms of coverage achieved and protection afforded,” according to a 2019 study published in PLOS One.
It’s “certainly better than wearing nothing with sun protection,” said Dr. Kseniya Kobets, director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care in Elmsford, New York.
However, she said, to reach full SPF 30 coverage from makeup or moisturizer (which the American Academy of Dermatology recommends), you’d need to apply “a very thick and even layer, which often isn’t realistic.”
There are a few other things to know about cosmetics and skin care products that contain sunscreen, and how well they protect you from the sun.
You Need To Apply A Lot Of Moisturizer Or Makeup To Get Sun Protection
It’s recommended that you use the equivalent of two tablespoons’ (or a shot glass’ worth) of sunscreen to exposed areas of the face and body, said Dr. Celeste Durham, a dermatologist at U.S. Dermatology Partners Fort Worth in Texas.
However, most people don’t apply this much moisturizer or makeup, Kobets said. “You would need to apply a thick layer — about a quarter teaspoon of it for the face alone — which is probably OK with a cream but seems like a lot for makeup.”
That much makeup could give you a “heavy or cakey look,” she said.
Dr. Jacob Beer, a dermatologist in West Palm Beach, Florida, explained it in food terms: “The amount of moisturizer on your face should be about the size of a raspberry. The amount of sunscreen on your face should be about the size of a banana slice.”
So it’s unlikely that someone would use enough SPF makeup or skin care to achieve the necessary UV protection, Dr. Min Deng, a dermatologist at MedStar Health in Chevy Chase, Maryland, said.
You also need to reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially if you’re outdoors or sweating — and that would go for products containing sunscreen, too, she added.
Types Of SPF In Your Products May Vary
The SPF included in moisturizers and other products may not be broad-spectrum or water-resistant.
“In general, sunscreens are more tightly regulated for SPF and photoprotection than makeup or moisturizers,” Beer said.
Whether an item offers adequate sun protection is “product-dependent” and if someone applies enough, he said. “People tend to apply sunscreen more extensively throughout their face and neck; however, for moisturizers or makeup, they may only apply it in areas where they think they need it. They also tend to use less product.”
The 2019 PLOS One study found that subjects applied moisturizer “significantly worse than sunscreen” and missed areas of their faces.
Is It More Effective To Use A Separate Sunscreen?
It’s not so simple.
A multistep routine can be tiresome for some people, so they may forgo their sunscreen, Beer said. “In those cases, it’s much better to wear a product with SPF they’ll remember to apply and reapply.”
If you are going to use a combo product, choose a moisturizer with SPF over makeup, Deng told HuffPost. It can be especially beneficial for individuals with dry skin and also provides anti-aging and other skin care benefits.
Just make sure the moisturizer is broad-spectrum and at least SPF 30, Durham said. “I personally use a moisturizer sunscreen combination that has other benefits like vitamin C serum and peptides,” she said. “It is like a one-stop shop for anti-aging, sun protection, moisture and protection from free radical damage.”
You can also layer SPF products, Kobets noted. “I prefer using a light moisturizer with SPF 30-50, with or without tint, as the base, then layering SPF makeup for additional coverage.”
If you prefer to use a separate sunscreen, apply it first and wait about 15 minutes before layering on moisturizer and makeup, Beer said.
Remember that you need to wear sunscreen every day — no matter the season or how sunny it is, Durham said.
“Sun damage is cumulative over our lifetimes, and every day is an opportunity to protect ourselves,” she said. “Times when you don’t think you are getting much sun, you are. Walking to the car, checking the mailbox, sitting by a window, and driving are all areas of opportunity to protect our skin.”
Looking for a foundation that contains SPF? Check out these options below.
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An SPF 50 antioxidant serum foundation
Intentionally formulated to for lightweight wear that won't settle into fine lines, this concentrated serum foundation for mature skin promises a radiant finish, buildable coverage and broad spectrum SPF 50 protection. Available in 15 shades, this foundation also contains vitamin B3, an antioxidant that can neutralize environmental stressors responsible for premature skin aging.
Promising Ulta review: "I don't know why this isn't sold in stores! It's absolutely fantastic! I don't normally like wearing liquid foundation because it feels heavy but this one is so light and actually does provide good coverage without the heaviness. I have plenty of acne scars and discoloration and it makes my skin appear almost flawless - basically solid coverage without feeling like full coverage heavy foundation. I don't even need to wear concealer under my eyes or elsewhere when I use this. I like to apply it by squeezing a few lines onto each area of my face directly from the tube and then work it in with a brush. I go back in with a dab of liquid bronzer to give my face dimension. If I have time I'll let it dry 5-10 min and set very lightly by pushing in some setting powder. It ends up with a nice dewy finish but if you go heavier on the setting powder you can get closer to matte if that's what you like. Lastly, I wear the ivory shade which works in combination with the bronzer but would otherwise be too pale (I'm a 2N1 in Estee Lauder powder in winter and 2N2 in summer). I just ordered the golden ivory in this product for summer but again, with bronzer the ivory still works for me all year." — Amy
An all-in-one foundation to target premature skin aging
Available in 12 shades, this cream foundation by No7 claims to offer a medium coverage that blurs imperfections, conceals redness and leaves skin feeling hydrated. In addition to offering SPF 50 in broad-spectrum sun protection, the formula contains antioxidants to preserve the skin and fend off environmental factors that could cause premature skin aging.
Promising Amazon review: "This is my favorite foundation. It covers all my uneven skin tone without looking too heavy and provides the best sun protection of any foundation I have found. It's actually a plus that it's not particularly moisturizing; I can control the amount of moisturizer that I put on beneath it. Likewise, I'm not looking for a super lightweight formula, but rather for good even coverage." — Janet in Seattle
A soothing and natural finish foundation
Perfect for skin types that are sensitive or acne-prone, Tower 28's tinted sunscreen foundation has broad spectrum SPF 30 sun protection and is formulated with a few different ingredients to stave off redness and irritation, like white sage extract. Additionally, prickly pear extract helps ward off blue light pollution, which is the type of UV that emits from all your electronic devices. This foundation provides a lightweight feel, buildable coverage and comes in 17 shades.
A hydrating SPF foundation with brightening niacinamide
The Kosas Skin-Improving foundation claims to plump and hydrate with the help of peptides, smooth texture and brighten the complexion thanks to niacinamide — all while offering broad sun protection in the form of SPF 25, including against blue light pollution. This medium-coverage formula, which is also enriched with skin-protecting antioxidants, comes in 27 shades. It may need to be worn with additional sun protection since this level of SPF falls slightly below the suggested minimum presented by the AAD.
Promising Amazon review: "Love the smoothness of my skin and the perfect way it blends - no one would think I was wearing makeup- I’m 71 and finding that changes to my skin make a foundation like this so valuable- no caking or indication that I’m using it - and this one bottle will go a long way - love the sunscreen protection too!" — dakotareader
A long-wearing and high-coverage foundation
Giorgio Armani Beauty has a reputation for crafting some of the best foundation out there (does Luminous Silk ring any bells?) and this formula — the Power Fabric + — shares a lot of factors that make the famed Luminous Silk so great, but with the addition of SPF 25. This long-wearing and high-coverage foundation has a matte finish, without drying out the skin, and uses the brand's patented "Micro-fil technology" to ensure that the foundation's pigments lay seamlessly on the skin. Shop this in 30 shades, but also take note that additional sun protection might be needed since this level of SPF falls slightly below the suggested minimum presented by the American Academy of Dermatology.
A sheer-coverage dewy skin tint
It's possible that you've probably already heard of this much-buzzed-about skin tint that's perfect for anyone who is opposed to thick full-coverage foundations that mask your own skin. Ilia's Super Serum is an all-in-one skin tint featuring a moisturizing formula that's infused with mineral SPF 40, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and squalane — all really great hydrators.
As someone who owns this stuff, there is a learning curve with using this, however. It's truly meant to give you a very dewy, your-skin-but-better kind of finish so I avoid putting on any thick face creams underneath this. Instead I just really work it into my skin until it absorbs almost like a face lotion, then apply a tiny dusting of my Coty Airspun powder on areas where I don't want the shine. Find it in 30 shades.
An SPF 30 whipped foundation
This uniquely whipped foundation by Colorescience is packed to the gills with ingredients meant to improve and care for skin, such as collagen-boosting peptides, a nourishing vitamin complex and ceramides, which are the essential building blocks to a healthy skin barrier. It's available in four flexible shades and uses a mineral complex to provide SPF 30 sun protection.
A moisturizing foundation with SPF 45
With this Estee Lauder moisturizing foundation, you'll enjoy up to 12 hours or full-coverage wear, SPF 45 sun protection and a nourishing formula containing chia seed extract and soothing probiotics for the skin. It's available in 28 shades and reviewers claim that it goes on smooth and won't cake or settle into fine lines.
A full-coverage cream mineral foundation with SPF 30
For anyone that's in need of the fullest-coverage foundation around, Dermablend is a trusted source for fully opaque formulations that are often used for covering tattoos, scars, irregular pigmentation and more. The Cover Cream boasts this same type of high pigment but with the added benefit of mineral SPF 30 in the form of titanium dioxide. It's available in 21 shades.
A medium coverage serum foundation
This unique serum foundation by indie beauty brand Ciele is proving to be a sleeper hit among Sephora shoppers who claim that its performance is "earth-shattering," "genius" and a "new favorite base product." Not only does the second skin-like formula promise to hide imperfections and redness, the natural-finish fluid contains a whopping SPF 50 sun protection so you can skip the step of applying both products. Available in 13 shades, it contains soothing allantoin, redness-reducing bisabolol and antioxidant-rich niacinamide for strengthening the skin's natural barrier.
Promising Sephora review: "I was a full coverage CC cream girl before I tried a sample of this stuff... HOOKED. The coverage is enough to mask my redness, and I love the liquidy consistency-- it's an absolute breeze to blend. I have large pores, & it doesn't immediately get stuck in them like my CC cream did (yay for spending less time putting on my face/worrying about it looking cakey). This also gives you a really healthy looking glow-- but if you want a more matte look, pat a little powder on top & you're good." — killerteeth