Question: I've be told that you should never use a moisturiser that also has SPF protection in it. True?

Question

I use a moisturiser every day but also want to use some kind of sun protection. I like the idea of having the two in one application and have seen a few products (there are not many) that combine the two. However, I have been told that you should not use these combined moisturisers/SPF products as somehow combining the two impacts their effectiveness. Is this true?

Treatments:
Facials, Skincare consultation

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Answer 1

Hi!

That is true. However I would want all women to wear SPF no matter what so if that is easier for you, then by all means it's better than nothing.

Moisturizer is meant to absorb into the skin, while a SPF should sit on top to reflect and protect. Bioelements makes a wonderful new SPF with 50 in it that you put on top of the moisturizer. (http://www.bioelements.com) I am sure you can find for sale it at Amazon.com.

I would apply your skin care as usual waiting 10 minutes so that your moisturizer has had a chance to absorb into your skin. After your skin has absorbed your moisturizer apply your sunscreen. Then apply your makeup as usual.

I think SPF was added to moisturizer for what I call the "lazy factor." Women don't want to have to do too many steps every day. But I find doing the 2 steps makes a huge difference. It also saves them from having to buy 2 moisturizers because obviously you don't want that on while you sleep but need moisturizer at night. So you can have your moisturizer for day and night and use sunscreen during the day.

Hope this helps. I am a licensed esthetician and MUA.

Good luck! :)
OXOX
Sonia

Answer 2

John-Paul 7 months ago

No. That is not true. But, make sure it not only has both UVA, and UVB protection, at least spf 15, or there really is no point.

Answer 3

I can think of perhaps two moisturizers that DON'T have an SPF in them...All the rest DO have SPF. That sort of surprises me you've been seeing the opposite.

I'm a big fan of multi-benefit products. What is your main skincare concern (anti-aging, preventive anti-aging, corrective treatment)?

Not to get off base, but I generally suggest my clients use Prevage Advanced Face Anti-Aging Serum, followed by Prevage Day SPF 30 PA++ Moisturizer (it has a different type of active ingredient for sun protection). I have a little mantra for them, too, "Prevage, Moisture, Makeup, Go......" No matter which line you choose, I would agree that you should give each "layer" of skincare a few moments to dry in before applying makeup.

I agree with sonairoselli in that an SPF is crucial. I can't even begin to imagine the number of clients who come to see me asking for something to correct sun damage - mostly because they used tanning beds or exposed themselves to the sun for long periods of time without an SPF.

This is for everyday use. Now, if you're going to be going on a vacation to the beach or something to that effect where you will be exposed to the sun, I agree a good sunblock should be used. Shiseido makes a good SPF 55 for the face and body. I think it retails for $30 or so. It should be applied every two to three hours when out in intense sun for long periods of time.

And, for night treatment, I prefer a lightweight serum as opposed to a heavy night cream.

However, to fully understand your skincare concerns, I'd prefer not to answer your question in more detail until I know what you're currently using. If you provide me with that information, I'd have a starting point to work from.

Get back to me when you can with everything you're using now, and I can make some suggestions based on what your current regimen is!

Best!

Ryan

Answer 4

If you use a seperate moisturizer and sunblock and mix them together in your hands before applying (watering it down) you will loose some effectiveness. If you put on a mineral sunblock over your moisturizer, it wont lose effectiveness. Chemical based sunblocks are hormone disruptors and act like estrogen in the body, so find a good mineral based, organic sunblock like John Masters Organics SPF 30 natural mineral sunscreen.

Answer 5

No it is false. There are two different types of sunscreens. One is a chemical base which is absorbed down into the upper dermal layers and then there is a mineral base such as Titanium Dioxide which sits on the surface of the skin and is reflective. Mixing it with a moisturizer does not make the sunscreen any less effective and for those who otherwise might not use a sunscreen alone it is a good choice. Derma e Natural Body Products makes an excellent organic moisturizer with SPF 15 which for day to day wear is perfect and it can be worn under your foundation.

Answer 6

Hi the reason it's not as good to use a moist with SPF is that you should be re-applying SPF every 4 hours where your moist would just apply in the morning. you could use a sun block.......do you wear make up?? ID bare escentials minerals make up has a natural sun protection that reflects the damaging sun rays. The protection will last all day, and the make up it easy to apply and looks great :)

Hope this helps

Emma x

Answer 7

Yes, by combining SPF with a moisturizer it does make the SPF less effective, HOWEVER - the percentage is low it is not really worth getting upset over. I would personally reccomend using a product with a higer SPF than what you would normally wear - so maybe 30-45 instead of 15 or 20. This way you get what you want and need all in one. I hope this helps!

Tiffany
"Mistress of Makeup"

Answer 8

Yes the products I use are endorsed by cancer research. As soon as you start mixing moisturiser into sunscreen it dilutes the sunscreen giving less protection. Sadly lots of cosmetic companies do this because sunscreen is an official antiageing product. Therefore if you mix it into moisturiser that product also can be legally called antiageing. Its a con I am afraid. Always use a spf of at least 30. I believe that the industry is going to be tightening up on this before long.

Question: I've be told that you should never use a moisturiser that also has SPF protection in it. True?

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