Sunscreen Makeup Powder That Keeps You Healthy & Looking Your Best

No matter the season or the weather, protecting yourself from the sun is critical for anyone serious about skin care. But for makeup aficionados, the thought of applying sunscreen can conjure up nightmarish images of runny foundation and greasy T-Zones. So how do you keep that perfect contour intact without exposing your delicate skin to harmful UV rays?

Sunscreen makeup is the key. When you’re armed with the dual powers of SPF and mattifying color correction, there’s no task too sunny for you to handle. The trick to flawless protection is knowing when to apply makeup sunscreen during your morning routine and which products are your best partners in crime.

Want to get straight to the answers you need? Use the link below to debunk any sunscreen makeup myths you’ve been holding on to:

• Should I Apply Sunscreen Before or After Putting on Makeup?
• Does the SPF in Makeup Offer Enough Protection?
• How Should I Apply Sunscreen with Makeup for the Best Coverage?
• How Do I Touch Up My Sunscreen During the Day?
• Should I Use SPF Makeup While I Exercise?
• Is Sunscreen Makeup Worth It?

Should I Apply Sunscreen Before or After Putting on Makeup?

Incorporating sunscreen into your makeup routine is much easier than many women think. Whether you take 45 minutes to put on your face or brush a little mascara on as you run out the door, you can always benefit from an added layer of sun protection.

After washing your face in the morning, apply a moisturizer with SPF. This is the absolute easiest way to ensure you get proper coverage, and with so many options on the market there’s bound to be a moisturizer that suits your skin. Worried sunscreen will clog your pores? Not if you get a moisturizer that’s oil free! Want to cover blotchy red spots and fight off UV rays in one fell swoop? Opt for a tinted moisturizer as your base.

The best makeup sunscreen includes an SPF of 30 or higher. Make sure the sunscreen in your product is broad spectrum, meaning it blocks both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are known for causing age spots and discoloration, while UVB burns the skin to create that uncomfortable red rash—but the important thing to remember is that both cause skin cancer.

Prepping your skin with an SPF moisturizer not only protects you from the sun, but it also hydrates your skin to combat other symptoms of premature aging. Anti-oxidant rich moisturizes such as the Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield prevent free radicals from penetrating the skin and damaging the structure of your cells. Fewer free radicals = fewer wrinkles.

Now that your face is primed for makeup, it’s never a bad idea to use foundation with sunscreen as an added layer of protection. Both liquid foundation and powder foundation can do the trick, but liquid is more likely to increase your sun coverage. Feel free to continue with your normal routine—blush, highlight, eyeliner, lipstick—and rest easy knowing you’ve taken good care of your skin.

To finish it all off, use a setting powder with sunscreen or an SPF setting spray to lock in your look. Because any type of liquid sunscreen will melt off your makeup if applied at the end of your routine, it’s best to stick with finishing products that aren’t too wet. And voilá! You’re ready to take on those summer days with a fresh face.

Does the SPF in Makeup Offer Enough Protection?

If you’re looking for the best sunscreen makeup for maximum protection and primping, it all comes down to the amount of SPF in the product and how much of it you use. Many women see a product that includes SPF, and while they use it on a daily basis, they don’t necessarily use enough.

Dermatologists recommend lathering on a full ounce of sunscreen all over your body when you head out into the sun—which means a good-sized dollop is reserved for your face.

Since most women want to avoid the dreaded “cake face,” they avoid piling on SPF foundations. If you’re using spot-specific products like a Mineral Corrector Palette, the SPF will only protect the small areas you cover. That’s when burns sneak up on you!

Always put on an initial layer of sunscreen under your makeup. If you don’t want to go on the hunt for a new moisturizer, simply add a layer of standard sunscreen after the primer and before your makeup. Look for formulas created specifically for your face so your foundation goes on smoothly. Products that contain zinc oxide are particularly effective because they reflect the harmful UVA and UVB rays away from your money maker.

It’s important to remember that layer sunscreen makeup with different SPFs does not mean you get better protection. A primer with SPF 50 and a foundation with SPF 20 doesn’t add up to SPF 70. Whichever product has the higher SPF number is the level of protection you’ll be getting as you have fun in the sun.

While it is possible for your mineral powder sunscreen to offer enough protection, it’s unlikely you’re applying enough of it to truly make a difference. That’s why doctors and beauty professionals alike recommend starting with a strong base and adding additional layers from there.

How Should I Apply Sunscreen with Makeup for the Best Coverage?

As we mentioned above, the Holy Grail to a beautiful and unburned face is an SPF primer. Slather on a quarter-sized amount all over your face, making sure you get the tip of your nose, ears, and neck. These commonly forgotten areas receive an extra amount of exposure to the sun, so it’s important to rub in a little added sunscreen for good measure.

If you like to use under-eye concealer, look for one with SPF. Sunglasses, makeup touch-ups, and rubbing of the eye area can all degrade the SPF in a primer, so it’s smart to include another layer of protection to that delicate part of your face. Carry on with your standard routine of concealer and foundation—if your foundation has SPF, just make sure to blend it in so your sun shield is evenly applied.

One important area that most women neglect is the lips. Because lips have very little amounts of melanin, it’s easy for them to get burned. Make sure to smack on a lip balm or lip gloss with SPF to protect your pout from painful sun exposure.

How Do I Touch Up My Sunscreen During the Day?

Even if you’re sitting at a desk inside all day, it’s still a good idea to reapply your sunscreen as the hours tick by. If you aren’t in direct sunlight, every 4 hours should be fine. But who wants to mess up their makeup with another layer of liquid protection?

Banish annoying shine and touch up your sunscreen at the same time with a light powder sunscreen. The easy-apply design of the Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield is ideal for quick touch-ups and only require a few sweeps of the brush to get you ready to face the sun once more. Plus, it’s compact enough to carry around in a small purse when you’re out and about.

If you find powder makeup to be too drying, try out another layer of setting mist to fill in the cracks of your sun shield. While you could dab on another layer of moisturizer or standard liquid sunscreen, you’d probably have to reapply some of your foundation to avoid a smudged face. Whichever sunscreen makeup you think is best, use it regularly throughout the day instead of relying on your initial coverage to last around the clock.

Should I Use SPF Makeup While I Exercise?

Do you enjoy being active outside? If you frequently exercise or work in the sun, skin protection is more critical than ever. While you certainly don’t need to pile on the makeup sunscreen before hitting the road for a run, you definitely should add a thick layer of your SPF primer or moisturizer.

If your product of choice is expensive and you don’t want to waste it, try a roll on sunscreen stick. These work perfectly for delicate face skin as long as you remember to apply two swipes to areas that get the most exposure.

For total body coverage, use a standard body sunscreen instead of wasting your precious facial product. Spray sunscreens are also effective at blocking UV rays–just be sure to spray each area for two seconds before rubbing it in. Reapply every two to three hours if you’re on-the-go a lot because sweat washes away the effectiveness of your SPF.

Is Sunscreen Makeup Worth It?

Yes! Investing in the health of your skin (and your body overall) is always worth it. Plus, many of the best makeup sunscreen products on the market won’t break the bank. If you’re already a makeup fanatic, adding a product or two to your arsenal will only make it stronger. And if you’re an au natural kind of girl, there are plenty of ways to protect your face from the sun without putting in any extra effort.

At the end of the day, it comes down to thinking about the long-term advantages of proper skin care. While you may think UV damage is a problem to handle later down the road, shaping healthy habits as early as possible will keep you looking younger and feeling better no matter where life takes you.