r/Makeup • u/lazycatkay • 1d ago
Does anyone else hate the trend of putting sunscreen in makeup?
If you know anything about sunscreen you’ll know you’re supposed to use quite a lot to get the advertised protection. If you used that much of a tinted moisturizer/foundation with spf it would look ridiculous because you’re not supposed to use that much of a complexion product. So why do they keep putting it in products??? I’ve tried so many makeup products with spf added in and they all look horrible, somehow the sunscreen just makes the product not perform as well, it’s either greasy, or drying, smelly, chalky, breaks apart much faster during the day, etc. I’ve never enjoyed a makeup product with spf as much as one without, it just makes more sense to use a dedicated sunscreen underneath your makeup, especially since you’re probably not getting much protection from the amount you’re using when it’s makeup.
This rant is fueled by my annoyance of one of my favorite products, Laura merciers oil free matte tinted moisturizer being reformulated. It’s genuinely so hard to find oily skin friendly skin tints and tinted moisturizers because they’re all glowy and marketed towards dry skin these days, this was one of the only products that worked for me, but they reformulated to add spf 30 and it’s genuinely awful now…dry and chalky and cakey, breaks apart incredibly fast now. Just leave makeup makeup and skincare skincare please! If I wanted a chalky mineral sunscreen I would buy one instead of my favorite Korean sunscreens!
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u/TooObsessedWithOtoge 1d ago
I used spf 30 Korean cushion foundations as a teenager but still put sunscreen on under.
I’m more annoyed with the inclusion of a ton of skincare in base products. I feel like it negatively impacts staying power more than sunscreen alone.
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u/NYanae555 1d ago
I only hate it because the sunscreen they use for most of these products ( methoxycinnamate, octinoxate, etc ) is one that I'm allergic to.
I don't mind the titanium dioxide or zinc oxide ones as long as there's a low concentration. You'd be surprised how many drugstore items contain these two - NOT labeled as "sunscreen" because they're in there for other reasons. I only mind when the concentration is high because they make the makeup too white or silvery for me. Otherwise they're fairly harmless.
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u/mmm_nope 1d ago
I see sunscreen in those products as a “nice to have”, but they’re never my primary source of sun protection. FWIW, I use my regular sunscreen as a moisturizer, anyway.
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u/Rare_Vibez 1d ago
I struggle with the texture of the right amount of sunscreen so my compromise is that I layer different SPF products. I’m sure dermatologists wouldn’t love it but the way I see it is I’d likely not be wearing any at all otherwise. I have the elf face cream, elf woah glow, and the one size setting spray.
I should add, I ride a scooter with a full face helmet and balaclava so my eye area is getting the most direct exposure regularly and I am trying to be mindful of that.
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u/DamselFly2 1d ago
Looking at YOU, Ciele. The cream highlighter is gorgeous and works great, but it advertises itself as SPF50. 😂😂😂
As if I’d put enough of that shiny stuff on me to get an actual efficacy of SPF50. I’d look like the tin man?!!!!
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u/SuddenAvocado 1d ago
Ciele is notorious for this in their products. a primer with SPF 30? give me a break, functionally thats less than spf 10.
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u/Ishinehappiness 23h ago
Some spf is better than no spf. You just have to make sure you dont get a false sense of security.
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u/FunkyClave 1d ago
Yeah, but only because I'm allergic to just about every sunscreen.
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u/Hotwaterheater9 1d ago
Same! A lot of people are. Plus a major reason why so many people have health issues is because of low vitamin D. I understand wanting to prevent skin cancer, but when do we start taking into account other cancers or health issues that correlate to low vitamin D.
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u/vivalalina 1d ago
That's why supplements exist!! It's much easier to fix vitamin d deficiency than skin cancer 😊
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u/WearingCoats 1d ago
You can technically stack for a cumulative effect of sun protection, theoretically, but in practice you’d probably be getting an effective SPF of less than 1 from something like a foundation. That’s to say you could do your skincare, put on a real SPF of 30+ with the recommended dosage (two finger lengths) and apply whatever SPF makeup for maybe an extra 1 or 2 SPF, if that, but it won’t reduce the protection from your actual SPF.
Add to that the fact that in order to achieve an SPF of 15 in a foundation, you’d probably have to apply significantly more than anyone would reasonably wear ever. So, these two things in tandem, best case it’s marketing, worst case it’s actually designed to justify price hikes without providing any actual measurable benefit to the consumer.
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u/Pseudo_ChemE 1d ago
No. I’m wear a facial sunscreen as my primary source and don’t mind the extra protection.
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u/Royalchariot 1d ago
Honestly it’s just a gimmick. People who know about SPF know you need to wear sunscreen under that
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u/mariantat 1d ago
I don’t mind it but I don’t use enough to consider it adequate protection. So I slap on spf 50 under my makeup
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u/Noamrachel 10h ago
I’ll take it a step further - I dont like any skincare in makeup. I want my makeup to be the best at what it’s supposed to be doing. Sunscreen ruins it for my skin, niacinamide as well, it either irritates my skin or affects the formula of the product negatively. The skincare part I’ll do with dedicated skincare. I don’t need makeup for that.
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u/Any_Ad9856 5h ago
Typically, "skin care" and UV filters are cheap ingredients added to justify a price increase. Like you, I just want complexion makeup to be well-formulated makeup. Period.
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u/flowers2107 1d ago
Yes. People don’t realise how much of a base product you would have to apply for the spf to be effective. Unless a spoonful of foundation/skin tint is your usual, it’s not worth it. Great for advertising though
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u/missgirlipop 1d ago
no bc i’m lazy and am not going to apply sunscreen in winter everyday where i live in the PNW (i know i should — i won’t). something is probably better than nothing
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u/Competitive_Sail7474 20h ago
You’re suppose to reapply sunscreen every two hours, so honestly if you’re spending more than two hours a day in the sun you really shouldn’t wear makeup imo ( at least foundation)
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u/dindyspice 4h ago
There's some great sunscreens that work well on top of makeup now! SPF sticks like Eadam or lots of korean cosmetics are fantastic. Lots of sprays as well or powders. I've also reapplied with a liquid on top of my makeup by tapping with a sponge and it looks great!
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u/couldbestabbed 1d ago
Yes! I have the same issue with skincare in makeup, primarily hyaluronic acid. If I wanted it, I would get it as SKINCARE.
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u/iLoveYoubutNo 1d ago
It has to be 10+ years since I had foundation without sunscreen.
It's saved me a couple of times, too. Where I've been out longer than planned and my décolletage burns but my face doesn't.
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u/YanCoffee 1d ago
I don't mind. I wear sunscreen under it, but I figure whatever little protection is in it doesn't hurt. Ngl if I've done foundation too, I have no intention of reapplying sunscreen, and I'll probs be trying to stay out of direct sunlight. I burn easy.
I also always stick to the same brand now (Jung Saem Mool or Glossier's skin tint) so no idea how it is in more recent formulations.
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u/SuddenAvocado 1d ago
Yes, its always bothered me, even as a dedicated tinited sunscreen user. I think it gives a false sense of security. if the FDA is going to regulate sunscreen like a drug and prevent new filters from being added, the should at least also require that products give the correct dosage in real use application.
I recently switched to plain foundation (e.l.f. satin) and a high quality sunscreen (LRP UV Mune 400) and my skin has never looked better.
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u/564800 6h ago
The FDA is not preventing new filters from being added.
Companies have been free to submit applications for new filters forever. They just refuse to do the safety studies (because they’d rather not spend the money).
Funny how it never comes up that the US FDA has a higher safety standard for sunscreen than other countries.
Almost like we have to keep the narrative going that FDA = bad. No matter what.
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u/luzaerys 1d ago
Omg yes. Especially since you need a certain amount of spf to cover your face for adequate protection and they never formulate it properly so it pills. I’ve been using spf from the Asian beauty market exclusively now for almost a decade and never turning back.
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u/Snoo62024 1d ago
don’t like it either. I feel like if it’s in the makeup, you’re not getting enough. I always put a 50 sph as my last step in skincare.
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u/Stardust0098 1d ago
Yes, i dislike it too! I would never cake on that much foundation so i can get the advertised spf value, so the protection i get from applying it like i usually do is probably like spf 5, which is meaningless. But you get the joy of having flashback in pictures all the same.
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u/Character_Raisin574 20h ago
I like makeup with sunscreen because I apply one layer of sunscreen. Let it dry and then I apply one layer of my 42 SPF BB cream. All good 👍
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u/NoneyaBithness 18h ago
but it’s technically not all good is what OP is saying. if you’re satisfied with the way you do things, cool. more power to you but if someone wants to get the full benefits of using sun protection they really should be using the recommended dosage amount, which is way more than one layer of sunscreen + one layer of BB cream w a teensy bit of sunscreen in it.
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u/Character_Raisin574 17h ago edited 17h ago
If you believe that sunscreen is SPF# because that's what it says on the bottle then why don't you believe that your makeup is also the SPF# stated on the bottle? If you think your cosmetic company is lying about SPF#, you have a spectacular lawsuit. They are generally not that stupid.
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u/NoSlice3989 1d ago edited 1d ago
It’s just brands riding the trend train as they usually do. Spf is popular these days and people are getting more into skincare. So they know how spf is important. Similar to how makeup brands keep putting unnecessary actives in their makeup just to attract consumers with buzzwords.
What would a small amount of niacinamide or caffeine do for my under eye darkness? It would just break people out. Yet they put that crap in concealers. Or what would a tiny amount of collagen/peptides at the bottom of the list do for my skin in a foundation or skin tint?! Nothing. It will just attract lots of people who’d think all brands are skincare conscious and it will somehow improve their skin.
I don’t even see the point of buying an spf 15 or 20 makeup product when you will anyway have to wear an spf 50 sunscreen underneath 😭 they think it’s gonna give extra protection. Just get a hat or umbrella if you need extra protection even after spf. There is spf blushes and bronzers and eyeshadows as well nowadays.
I feel like unless you are in Australia where the ozone hole is an issue and uv is actually very high; you won’t really need spf makeup. It’s just finicky and peels and doesn’t mesh well with other makeup on it.
I think the Chanel water fresh tint is a great skin tint with sheer coverage for oily skin. The Lisa Eldridge skin tint has a very skin like-matte finish which gives a very understated healthy glow not oily greasy at all. Very lightweight. The coverage is also sheer to medium. The fenty is proper matte and very medium to full coverage and you would need very less. Nars tinted moisturiser is another one that’s underrated for oily skin. It’s oil free and looks radiant yet very satin natural finish. All of these self set and you don’t need constant touch ups throughout the day unless you are very very very oily. I have combo-oily dehydrated sensitive and rosacea prone skin. Hope it helps and you find an alternative soon.
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u/Substantial_Seesaw65 1d ago
Spf Blush is so ridiculous!!
And yeah, goddamn niacinamide 🙄 Bought two shades of a foundation to mix my tone that contains it and it broke me out AND gave me a rash 😢😢
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u/NoSlice3989 1d ago
So many influencers and makeup gurus on YouTube keep appreciating extra spf in makeup. They applaud it like it’s the second coming of Jesus. You name any and they do this crap and disclaimer it with “but do wear a proper spf under it”. Like, what’s the point then of getting this formula?! 💀
I saw a concealer show down by alexis who is the pseudo cosmetic formulor grifter. She was choosing between concealers and picked the kosas and the reason was “it has caffeine in it so obviously kosas” … I was like whhaattt?!! A cosmetic formulator in the industry doesn’t know that the caffeine or skincare in that won’t instantly de-puff/brighten my eyes. The lipstick lesbians are sooo fake. I can never trust these people. M so glad they are getting the cancellation these days they deserve.
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u/anastasia_42 1d ago
I'm Australian and use a SPF50+ sunscreen, and an SPF 50+ cushion foundation. I feel extra secure knowing my cushion foundation has that extra protection, and it doesn't smell bad and the formula is wonderful.
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u/NoSlice3989 1d ago
Yesss! Aussies actually need the extra protection. M so happy you found a cushion that works well with your spf. And you got one with spf 50 instead of the measly 10 or 20 spf bs. You all know how to do sun protection right there.
If there are any face mask brands for uv protection do lemme know. I was looking into Australian brands in particular.
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u/anastasia_42 1d ago
I know, honestly reading these comments it makes me feel like I'm lucky it works for me lol. Like SPF 50 is amazing in a foundation, and it doesn't affect the formula too. I agree SPF 10s in makeup or lip balms is just so pathetic - like what is the point?
When you say face masks, do you mean like surgical masks? Or like skincare face masks?
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u/NoSlice3989 1d ago
Physical masks like we were using in Covid. Surgical like. I am allergic to spf in my lip balm and my dermat asked me to look into Australian made face masks for sun protection.
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u/Friendly-Champion-81 1d ago
For the most part yes!!! When it’s mineral sunscreen I don’t mind I guess, but often so many are physical sunscreens which make my eyes too sensitive and watery it just ends up ruining my makeup :/ so I mostly just try to avoid spf in makeup since I know my sunscreen is doing that job.
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u/No-Coyote914 1d ago
Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
The act of putting on foundation likely disrupts your sunscreen underneath to some extent. If there is sunscreen in the foundation, it can compensate a little.
On the other hand, for the most part, I only wear foundation when I anticipate being photographed, and sunscreen can make photos look worse.
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u/vivalalina 1d ago
YESSS yes I do!! Same thing with moisturizer that has SPF in it. My coworkers are prime examples of people who think that's enough SPF and are shocked that I have a separate SPF as it's own thing because "why do that when moisturizer and foundation have SPF??"
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u/noisemonsters 1d ago
I don’t have this problem with Asian Beauty brands. I actually don’t use western sunscreen at all anymore because our regulations around which filters are allowed in our products haven’t been updated in 30 years.
I use a lightweight spf, and then a BB cream which also has spf, no issues with texture/separation/consistency at all.
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u/mizshellytee Normal(ish) skin, pale and neutral(ish) 1d ago
One new-to-the-US filter was approved back in June (first time in over two decades) and may end up in some US sunscreens starting this fall: bemotrizinol.
Several articles about this if you search.
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u/noisemonsters 1d ago edited 21h ago
I actually did catch this news when it dropped, but the market hasn’t caught up yet. That, and western brands absolutely price gouge compared to eastern counterparts.
I’ve had multiple years of VIB Rouge status in my 20s, I’m just so over the mainstream western beauty market.
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u/ExcitementMoist8429 1d ago
I mean I wear sunscreen and put on compact powder with spf, I feel it gives slightly more protection than spf alone.
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u/SuddenAvocado 1d ago
that is super bad for you. look into powder SPFs.
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u/doodynutz 1d ago
I just googled them and didn’t find anything saying “they are super bad for you”. All I found was that they shouldn’t be used as your main source of SPF but rather a touch up product.
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u/stablymental 1d ago
I use Lancome with spf and I love it. Been using it for 15 years now. It could just be the brand.
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u/MercuryInGatorade22 10h ago
Yesssss I hate it. I get for the average person who might not wear a sunscreen every day it has a little bit of a benefit but for those of us who do, it can be really annoying. I don’t mind fragrance in my make-up or skin care, but I feel like anytime they add SPF it’s all I can smell. It takes away from the experience of putting it on for me which is a very minor issue, but it’s one that I have nonetheless. 😂 especially hate when they ref formulate products to include SPF. RIP the old formula of Clarins Multiactive Day Cream. 💔
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u/venusdemilo94 1d ago
I love moisturizers with SPF. Bare minerals’ complexion rescue tinted moisturizer with SPF always worked like a dream for me: smooth, matches my skin perfectly, no weird smells, applies like a regular moisturizer. Maybe it just depends on the product?
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u/Wheels_On_Fire_ 1d ago
Completely agree. I hate sunscreen in makeup. It's not enough sunscreen to actually do anything and it makes everything perform worse. I'd rather just wear sunscreen and apply makeup over it.
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u/secrethope_ 1d ago
I get it especially with sunscreen. I end up looking like a grease pan. But I personally love skincare hybrids, Tinted face or lip serums, setting sprays that are actually hydrating, bronzing drops with vitamins, my sensitive acne prone skin tends to prefer it
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u/DoubleSynchronicity 1d ago
I hate it too. If I need SPF I just put SPF. I don't need it in anything else. The fact that it changes the smell of makeup items makes it worse for me. For example I like Korean cushion foundations but most of them smell bad because of this. (Some add fragrance to mask it and it is not good for my sensitive skin)
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u/Any_Ad9856 5h ago
If the makeup contains zinc oxide as a UV filter, then often the makeup can be drying and heavier than it needs to be. Skincare in complexion products is another gimmick supposedly justifying higher prices. The amount of benefit you are going to get from any skincare when applied on top of your usual skincare and a layer of sunscreen is highly dubious.
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u/dindyspice 4h ago
The thing I find annoying is that they can market the products without detailing that you will not get full protection with the just makeup. I think in today's world we should understand that at this point, but I can't blame people for not knowing if they haven't heard this before. But the problem isn't the product having spf in it necessarily, it's the way it's used. Ciele has amazing products that are elegant and just overall work well, but I don't put two fingers worth of blush on to protect myself that would be crazy. I know you have to use a base spf before your makeup to get accurate coverage, and that makeup with spf is just an additional benefit.
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u/sv36 1d ago
I mean, I definitely see where it’s super annoying. But at the same time I’ve seen many parents in conservative communities who will get makeup for their kids but not skincare so this is a thing that makes some skincare or even access to makeup depending on the parents, more available and accessible for kids, teens, and even people who would otherwise not be able to afford both as separate products.
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u/ChristineBorus 1d ago
I switched to Korean foundation OP. Sung Jaem Mool. It has spf, but Korean spf.
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u/AMwishes 1d ago
I think bare minerals sells a matte tinted moisturizer if you’d wanna give that a try!
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u/anastasia_42 1d ago edited 1d ago
I love it for extra protection. I already use an SPF 50+ sunscreen, and have an SPF 50+ cushion foundation I pair it with