Dermatologists Answer All Your Questions About Sunscreen 

It’s been a summer of heatwaves and perspiration, and while we can stay hydrated to protect our bodies from the sun, our skin is something that needs a little extra care. I’m not much of a skincare person but sunscreen is a product that’s always a part of my daily routine, whether I’m sitting at home all day or venturing out under the scorching sun.  

These days there’s added SPF in everything, who hasn’t seen the odd primer + SPF and SPF lippie around? Makeup with SPF claims to package two benefits in one formula, but does it work? And does it work well enough to replace your sunscreen? And how does it help our melanin rich skin? The questions are endless!  

So, this Sunscreen Day, I spoke to two dermatologists, Dr Madhuri Agarwal & Dr Manasi Shirolikar to get some answers on some of the most common questions our readers have about sunscreen.

The term SPF is thrown around a lot whenever it comes to sunscreen. So, what is it?  

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor; it is a measure of how much UV Radiation is required to produce a sunburn on the skin. We, of course rely on our trusty sunscreens and sun blocks to save us from UV Aging and UV Burning, something that broad spectrum sunscreens also help us with. Dr Madhuri Agarwal also recommends opting for a protection factor of 3 or 4. Look out for either +++ or ++++ on the sunscreen.  

Do Indians need to use sunscreen? And how much SPF? 

First off, let us do away with rumors that we Indians don’t need to use sunscreen. While darker skin intrinsically has higher SPF than lighter skin, we still need SPF, to protect our skin from pigmentation – something that our skin is susceptible to, due to the sun exposed environment we live in. “We Indians pigment very quickly, without sunscreen you’ll see more dark spots, open pores, and collagen breakdown making the skin leathery and rough. Sunscreen is very essential for Indian skin, especially broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 indoors and SPF 50 outdoors” says Dr Madhuri.  

 “SPF values are determined as per 2mg/cm2 of product used. Most people cannot apply makeup thickly or evenly enough to achieve the full SPF protection advertised on the product” says Dr Manasi Shirolikar on the efficacy of SPF in makeup.  

What is the recommended amount of sunscreen to put on your face & body? 

Dr Madhuri also recommends a conventional sunscreen two finger lengths for the face. While a shot glass full of sunscreen is the appropriate amount to use on the entire body.  

According to several studies, sunscreen should be applied at least 30 minutes before venturing out into the sunlight, and topped up every 2 hours after the first application, regardless of whether there’s harsh sunlight or whether it is cloudy. Water resistant sunscreen should be re-applied every 40-80 minutes to always ensure maximum coverage. 

Can SPF in makeup replace sunscreen? 

“No, SPF in makeup cannot replace sunscreen. While SPF makeup offers some protection, it generally does not provide the same level of coverage as a dedicated sunscreen” advises Dr Manasi. 

Makeup doesn’t cover other areas of skin exposed to the sun that can be covered with sunscreen, for example your neck, ears, and hairline. To touch up your sun protection over your makeup, studies recommend mineral powders during the day, that keep your makeup intact while also keeping your skin covered in SPF.  

What is the best way to apply sunscreen with makeup? 

Layering sunscreen and then applying makeup with SPF is effective since it provides an additional source of UV Protection. “It’s best to wait 15-20 mins for the sunscreen to be well absorbed after application and settle in. Then the makeup can be layered on top of the sunscreen” Dr Madhuri recommends.  

Dr Manasi also says, “You can opt for a tinted sunscreen or a silicone-based sunscreen which can double up as primer. Or if you have dry skin, you can use a moisturizing sunscreen so your base does not cake. Give the sunscreen a few minutes to absorb into your skin and form an even layer. This not only ensures that the sunscreen performs effectively but also helps your makeup apply more smoothly. Remember, sunscreen should be the last step in your skincare routine and the first step in your makeup routine.” 

Finally, is there a chance that SPF in sunscreen and makeup negate each other? 

“No, in fact it is good to use makeup with sunscreen after applying the regular sunscreen. It ensures additional sun protection for the face especially in areas where the regular sunscreen is missed out” Dr Madhuri comments.  

 
Offering some more insight, Dr Manasi says, “Using both can reinforce your sun protection. However, layering multiple products with SPF doesn’t necessarily add up to a higher SPF; you can’t combine SPF 15 makeup with SPF 30 sunscreen to get SPF 45 protection. Consider your sunscreen as your primary protection and your SPF makeup as an additional layer of defence. It’s essential to apply a generous amount of sunscreen first, and if your makeup contains SPF, think of it as an extra boost of protection.  
A few UV filters do cancel each other out and it’s good to stay mindful of that – Avobenzone can degrade faster in light in combination with mineral UV absorbers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, though with the right coating of the mineral particles this reaction can be reduced. Usually, however, layering sunscreen is fine.” 

To sum up, while makeup with SPF can offer additional sun protection, it should not be relied upon as a complete substitute for sunscreen. Dermatologists Dr. Madhuri Agarwal and Dr. Manasi Shirolikar emphasize that makeup does not provide the same level of coverage or consistency as dedicated sunscreen products.  

For those seeking some recommendations, my top sunscreen picks are linked below!