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Midday Makeup Sunscreen Dilemmas: Solved!

Many of my makeup-wearing patients are excellent with their morning sunscreen application. But, what about the midday application of sunscreen?

When I ask about their sun protection habits, my patients proudly exclaim that they never leave their home in the morning without applying an SPF 30 sunscreen to their face, neck and hands. Many of them are aware that the efficacy of the sunscreen ingredients begins to diminish after only a few hours. But very few people re-apply their sunscreen in the midday, so many are completely unprotected from sun exposure from noon onward!

The main reason for this is makeup. This is completely understandable: most of my makeup-wearing patients are reluctant to apply sunscreen over their carefully made-up faces! Who wants to spend 20 minutes carefully contouring and concealing in the morning, only to smudge it midday? Fortunately, there are a few solutions to this conundrum, ways to boost your midday sun protection without altering your flawlessly made-up skin!

Consider makeup setting mists with SPF or sunscreen powders

Makeup setting mists with SPF

Makeup setting mists with SPF can refresh makeup, mattify any midday sheen and provide hydration. Keep a container of one of these sprays at your desk or in your bag for cooling midday spritzing!

Coola Makeup Setting Spray SPF30: this lightweight spray contains chemical sunscreen ingredients avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate and octisalate, as well as hyaluronic acid as a humectant to draw moisture from the air. The fine spray offers midday mattifying and makeup-setting properties, as well as boosting your sun protection. It is parabens, sulfate and phthalate-free.

Supergoop Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50: this fine mist contains the same chemical sunscreen ingredients as the Coola product, and an herb-y rosemary scent. The mist is parabens and sulfate-free, and it helps control oil and shine and refreshes your sun protection for an afternoon pick-me-up!

Sunscreen powders

Sunscreen powders are available in several SPF ranges, and often come in a convenient all-in-one brush applicator that can be stashed in your bag or at your desk for a quick midday swish over makeup.

Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45: this talc-free, transparent mineral powder contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide sunscreen ingredients. The non-greasy brushed powder application is terrific for a midday swirl to keep the sheen at bay and boost sun protection for a summer afternoon.

Colorescience’s Sunforgettable Mineral Sunscreen Brush SPF 50: This non-greasy, portable, water-resistant sunscreen powder offers a terrific option for active users. The zinc oxide and titanium dioxide powder delivers broad-spectrum sun protection in several tints to complement your skin’s tone. The convenient tube and brush is easily stashed in your desk, car, or beach bag.

Convenient but… not your main sun protection

An important tip to remember: these products offer a convenient way to boost your afternoon sun protection on a day-to-day basis, but it is difficult to gauge how much of these powders and sprays are actually making it to your skin. It is wise to not consider these your main source of daily sun protection: use a high-SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion in the morning to confer adequate, uniform coverage and protection. Consider these convenient, portable products simply as a way to up your baseline SPF in the afternoon. If you are expecting to be out in the bright, unsheltered sun later in the day, reapplying a lotion sunscreen will give you the best protection.

Product photos: courtesy of Sephora and Colorscience