The skin needs to be protected all year round, so what better way to do it than using makeup? Of course, this doesn’t include a majority of the male population; they will just have to settle with getting protection from a daily dose of sunscreen. Protection from ultraviolet (UV) radiation is important, especially considering that the sun’s rays can reach you on cloudy and hazy days. Those who choose to indulge in indoor tanning also risk an unnecessary level of UV radiation exposure. The hours between 10am and 4pm are the most dangerous for those unprotected in the sun, no matter how much natural pigment they already have in their skin.
Leading dermatologists will recommend applying at least 30 SPF broad spectrum sunscreen every two hours and right after sweating or swimming. Broad spectrum blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Besides skin cancers such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, wrinkles and early on-set aging are inevitable from the skin’s overexposure to the sun. Protecting the skin is so important to prevent any unwanted sun side effects, and foundations and other makeup products can do the trick. Built-in sun protection factor (SPF) is a helpful way to get the additional protection you need during the day.
However, makeup along cannot provide enough protection against all of the elements. The Skin Cancer Foundation advises people to use a moisturizer containing broad spectrum sunscreen with ingredients such as zinc oxide, avobenzone, ecamsule, and octocrylene; as they mix well with makeup products.
Dr. Rokhsar advises that patients use extra protection in addition to makeup with SPF. Sunscreen needs to be broad spectrum and effective enough to hold off the elements all throughout the day.