SPF In Makeup: What Kind of Coverage are you Getting?
Think your makeup with SPF has you covered for sun protection? You’re not alone—but unfortunately, you’re not fully protected either.
While the idea of a one-and-done product sounds appealing – flawless foundation and anti-aging sun defense – most SPF-infused cosmetics just don’t offer the coverage your skin really needs. Here’s why relying on makeup for sun protection might be putting your skin at risk, and how to properly protect it without sacrificing your beauty routine.
Our Skin and The Sun
The sun doesn’t just give us sunburns. It’s responsible for up to 80% of visible skin aging, including wrinkles, discoloration, and sagging. There are multiple types of light from the sun that affect your skin:
- UVA rays: Linked to premature aging
- UVB rays: Cause sunburns and skin redness
- Infrared light: Penetrates deeper and contributes to long-term damage like collagen breakdown
To effectively protect your skin from all of these, you need a broad-spectrum sunscreen, ideally one with Zinc Oxide and a minimum SPF 30.
What SPF In Makeup Means
Many foundations and tinted moisturizers include SPF – but what does that actually mean in real-life application? Here’s the catch:
- Most makeup only provides SPF 15–20, which falls short of dermatology recommendations.
- Even when products list SPF 30 or higher, the testing is done with a heavy application—far more than most of us use for makeup. According to Dr. Kassouf at the Cleveland Clinic, you’re likely getting less than half of the advertised protection due to how thinly makeup is applied.
- Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours for continued protection. Now, think about your daily routine. Are you reapplying foundation at lunch? During errands? Likely not. That means even if your makeup has SPF, you’re only protected for the first couple hours of your day.
So What Should You Do?
While purchasing quality makeup containing Zinc Oxide doesn’t give you all the protection you need, you shouldn’t stop. It’s better to get the added protection than none at all. We do recommend purchasing a medical-grade, mineral-based sunscreen to apply prior to makeup. This way you know you have the protection and coverage you are looking for. Some mineral sunscreens are even tinted and can eliminate the need for daily foundation altogether! Using SPF powder brushes throughout the day can help to provide all day coverage, without ruining your makeup.
For more information on sun protection, contact our team!