Does make-up with sun protection factor provide sufficient sun protection?

While we all know how important a high SPF sunscreen is in our daily routine, many still skip this step in their morning routine and rely on SPF makeup products instead. There are now many foundations, BB creams, powders and even lipsticks available with SPF. But does make-up with SPF provide sufficient sun protection for every day?

MInding the amount

In theory, make-up with a high sun protection factor could protect the skin from UV radiation. However, it has to be considered that even with a day care with a sun protection factor, the right amount has to be used to protect the skin sufficiently and to avoid skin damage caused by the sun. The recommended amount for the face is 2 mg/cm2. Accordingly, you would need to use 6 to 7 times the conventional sunscreen amount to achieve daily protection. In most cases, no one would wear nearly that much makeup.

Reading the SPF correctly

The SPF describes how long sunscreen products protect the skin from the negative effects of UV radiation. If it takes ten minutes for unprotected skin to show signs of burning, proper application of a sunscreen with SPF 30 would slow the burn to the point that it lasts 30 times longer, for a total of 300 minutes. With SPF 15 it would be 150 minutes, with SPF 50 a full 500 minutes.

Make-up products with sun protection factor often do not have broad spectrum protection (against UVA and UVB rays) and only have a low sun protection factor.

Im Laufe des Tages auffrischen 

If you spend more time in the sun during the day, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours, as the sun protection starts to disappears through sweating or bathing. 

But even if you work indoors, it is important to protect your skin with a sunscreen. UV rays can also penetrate through glass and therefore there is a risk of sun damage. However, if you apply a sufficient amount of sunscreen every morning, your skin will still be protected enough at the end of the day. 

Conclusion: It is very important to protect your skin from the sun every day with a separate sunscreen that contains at least SPF 30 and preferably SPF 50 to protect you from UVA and UVB rays. You can, of course, use additional makeup that contains SPF. Just make sure that this is not the only source of your daily sun protection..