Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you should know by now that sunscreen is your number one anti-aging product. No matter who you are or what your ethnic background is, you NEED sunscreen to protect you against premature aging, dark marks, fine lines and wrinkles, skin cancers, and other unwanted skin concerns caused by the sun.
But wait! If you're someone who hates to wear sunscreen, you're not alone. So here are a few solutions to your sunscreen pet peeves.
Why do we HATE sunscreen and what is the solution?
You can’t reapply it after putting on makeup – Solution: Try using an FDA-approved mineral sunscreen powder. These powders can be applied on top of makeup and come in different shades.
Its thick and oily – Solution: This is a matter of trial and error, so start by choosing ones labeled “oil-free.” Ask for samples from your dermatologist or esthetician. Test it on your body before your face.
It makes people with darker complexions look purple – Solution: This is not okay! Your sunscreen shouldn’t be noticeable or change the tone of your skin. The major culprits for this are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These ingredients are white and sit on the surface of the skin to physically block the sun. There are three options here: 1. Choose a tinted mineral sunscreen that fits your shade. 2. Ask your friends and check out online reviews. 3. If all else fails, try using a chemical sunscreen that does not include mineral ingredients.
It causes breakouts for acne-prone and oily skin types – Solution: This too is a matter of trial and error. One of the key ingredients causing breakouts is silicones. You typically see dimethicone in a lot of sunscreens. Silicones feel silky and allow the product to glide on the skin. Unfortunately, once applied, they don’t allow anything to come in or out. Your oil gets trapped in the pore, along with sweat, dirt, and dead skin cells, thus resulting in breakouts.
Another problem ingredient is oil. Look for sunscreens labeled “Oil-Free” or “Skin types prone to acne.”
It’s harmful to the environment – Solution: Find a sunscreen that does not use perfumes or dyes, and is known to be environmentally safe. Its common knowledge that sunscreen has been a large contributor to what is killing the coral reef. Skincare companies are reformulating their sunscreen to not only be more effective on the skin but safer for the environment. You can find many earth-friendly sunscreens by typing “environmentally safe sunscreens” in your browser.
It’s harmful to my skin – Solution: Use a mineral-based sunscreen that works by blocking the rays from your skin. Mineral ingredients include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These ingredients can be found in clear and tinted sunscreen products. In the grander scheme of things, it might be more harmful to not wear any sunscreen at all.
Other considerations are getting your car windows tinted and wearing sun protection clothing.
It’s hard to wash off – Solution: Oooh, this one’s easy. Begin by using an oil cleanser to remove the bulk of the sunscreen. Or make sure your foaming cleanser is fully foamed in the palms of your hands before applying it to your face.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, we estheticians just want you to wear some kind of sunscreen. Find a sunscreen that works for you, your family, your wallet, and your lifestyle. The best protection will come from a Broad-Spectrum sunscreen. Broad-Spectrum means that it will protect you against both UVA and UVB rays.
Follow manufacturer guidelines on how often you need to reapply.