Makeup artist Asya won’t go about her day without sun protection. “Nowadays, wearing SPF is an absolute must,” she says. Asya Meytuv works with a range of clients, models and photographers but what she enjoys most is one-on-one consultations and teaching her clients how to master their own makeup techniques. “Every single one of us should be able to feel like the most beautiful woman in the world on a daily basis. But we also have to think about our health.”
I often find that clients can be reluctant to use SPF on their face. Mainly because they are worried about it having a negative effect on their makeup, but also because they don’t consider SPF to be important in their daily routine and generally underestimate the risk posed by sun exposure. Let’s zoom in on SPF.
Scientists have already established that UVA and UVB rays are not only responsible for premature ageing and hyperpigmentation, but can also cause skin cancer. Sun damage on the face and body is one of the most common problems that dermatologists come across. After all, how you can protect yourself against UVA and UVB rays is something we discuss on our blog on a yearly basis, so come and join us for a reminder.
SPF shouldn’t just be used when on holiday. Every time we spend time outdoors, by a window, in the car, whether the sun is shining directly or it’s hidden behind a cloud, our skin is exposed to harmful rays. The risk is even greater when travelling by plane.
That’s why it’s not important to apply SPF just to your face, but also to your ears, neck and décolletage (unless you’re wearing a turtleneck), as well as the backs of your hands, which is where hyperpigmentation appears first. As a rule of thumb, you should apply cream with at least SPF 30 to all parts of the body not covered by clothing. And don’t forget about lip balm with SPF.
As a makeup artist, I know all too well the mischief that incompatible sunscreen and foundation can cause. If they’re not the right fit, all efforts at flawless makeup may end up going to waste. Luckily, sunscreen manufacturers are already thinking about this and technological advances are on the rise. There are sunscreen textures on the market that work extremely well with foundation. Which ones are they?
Creams with UV filters come as the last step of our beauty routine before applying makeup. A wide range of products on the market already expect SPF to be used instead of primer. La Roche-Posay Anthelios is one of them. Its extremely light texture feels like nothing on the skin and makeup adheres to it wonderfully. Just make sure you shake it well before use.
The Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics lightweight cream by the Korean brand Beauty of Joseon is an absolute dream to apply. It doesn’t cause pilling when applied under makeup and is pleasantly moisturising. It’s also formulated with probiotics, which your skin microbiome will love. Give the cream a few minutes to absorb before applying foundation, then pat it into your skin rather than spreading or rubbing it in. This prevents unwanted creasing and doesn’t compromise the level of sun protection.
You can apply SPF even over finished makeup. Reach for other textures such as sprays or sticks for help. SPF can be reapplied to any exposed parts of the body, such as the nose, ears, shoulders, instep or the backs of your hands.
The amazing Ambre Solaire Super UV spray is specifically designed for SPF reapplication over makeup during the day. All you need to do is shake the product well and spray your face from a reasonable distance. This will keep your skin protected without messing up how your makeup looks.
You’re probably already familiar with how to apply an SPF stick correctly. Personally, I recommend it highly for those areas you tend to touch the most (ears, cheeks, nose) and the ones most prone to hyperpigmentation (cheekbones, backs of the hands). The Bioderma Photoderm Stick is transparent and has a light texture, so don’t be afraid to use it topically over your finished makeup. And let’s not forget the lips and the surrounding skin! Is there anyone who hasn’t heard of a melasma moustache?
And what else is it important to know? All SPF products create a thin film on the skin that needs to be thoroughly removed during your evening skincare routine. Never underestimate the importance of removing your makeup, cleansing, moisturising and nourishing your skin before going to bed.
From now on, sunscreen comes first before going about your day; am I right?