If you purchase a product through links in this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.
All your beauty questions have answers. Our resident dermatologist, Dr. Geddes Bruce, breaks down the most important topics in beauty, from hair loss to Botox and everything in between. Send us a DM @camillestyles with your burning question of your own and we may address it in a future column.
Say it with me: Sunscreen is sexy. With sunscreens on the market for every skin type and a new self-tanner that gives you a natural glow without baking in the sun, it’s easier than ever to get protected. Face sunscreen can be tinted, can be reapplied after makeup, and is enriched with the benefits of a serum. Body sunscreen is no longer sticky and dull, but is often the last step in a body care routine for glowing skin. Perhaps it goes without saying that sunscreen is one of my favorite parts of my beauty routine.
Dermatologists bust the biggest sunscreen myth
Q: I am overwhelmed by everything I hear about sunscreen. I know I need to wear it every day and use it often…but how often? How do I make sure I choose the right one?
Social media has played a huge role in making sunscreen fun and, dare I say it, cool. But it can also make it seem complicated. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed considering all the product options and application tips. Many sunscreens are trendier than SPF, and it can be hard to determine which products are truly worth your money.
To cut through the noise and keep you informed, we asked our resident dermatologist, Dr. Geddes-Bruce. Of course, she has a lot to say on the issue. “Unfortunately, we are entering an era of misinformation,” Dr. Geddes said. “There’s a lot of fear-mongering going on right now about the dangers of sunscreen. Counterfeiters are posting false claims about the dangers of sunscreen, and the content is spreading like wildfire.
Despite all the misinformation on the internet, sun protection is easy. “Sunscreen is one of the tools that helps us minimize skin exposure to excess UV radiation, which is the leading cause of skin cancer,” Dr. Geddes said. It’s that simple.
Next, Dr. Geddes takes us through what we need to know about sunscreen in 2024.
Dr. Elizabeth Geddes Bruce
Dr. Geddes is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at Westlake Dermatology, specializing in cosmetic and medical dermatology practices. She believes that cosmetic dermatology goes hand in hand with a happy, healthy lifestyle and regularly provides cosmetic and medical dermatology consultations to patients in a balanced, natural approach.
Chemical sunscreen vs. physical sunscreen
“Both chemical and physical sunscreens prevent UV rays from damaging the DNA of skin cells. No one type is better than the other—they all have their own advantages and disadvantages,” says Dr. Geddes.
“The best sunscreen is the one you know how to use and use it correctly.”
Ultimately, the difference between physical and chemical sunscreens are the ingredients they use to protect your skin from the sun. Dive into each option below to determine which one is best for you.
physical sunscreen
Physical sunscreens (also known as mineral sunscreens) use ingredients such as titanium dioxide, iron oxide and zinc oxide to form a protective layer on the skin.
These ingredients can cause the dreaded white spots, which makes many people turn to chemical sunscreens. However, new formulas and tinted alternatives can make physical sunscreens easier to apply.
“Mineral sunscreens are great for some people, but they tend to leave white marks on the skin, which is undesirable for people whose skin is rich in melanin. Therefore, there is a large group of people who tend to face hyperpigmentation problem, can benefit from sunscreen, but if they think mineral sunscreen is the only option, they don’t have a good choice.
If you’re opting for a physical sunscreen, consider our editor-approved picks.
chemical sunscreen
To protect the skin, chemical sunscreens use a combination of organic filters such as:
- Avobenzone
- Octocrylene
- 2-ethylhexyl salicylate
- ensulizole
- mela dimat
- Sulfoisobenzone
Since chemical sunscreens don’t create a physical barrier to the sun like mineral sunscreens do, be sure to wait 15 minutes after applying before going out in the sun. Just because sunscreen is chemical doesn’t mean it’s harmful to your skin.
“There’s a lot of chemophobia online. People don’t trust anything made with “chemicals,” and the same goes for chemical sunscreens. In turn, inorganic sunscreens are touted as the only safe alternative, but that’s simply not true,” said Dr. Geddes. “There’s no need to demonize the elegant choice in cosmetics — organic sunscreen — especially for people with skin of color.”
When choosing a chemical sunscreen, read the ingredient label first. Make sure your product does not contain the following:
- Oxybenzone
- Octinoxate
- Octosalicylic acid
- Octocrylene
- Homosalate
- Parabens
The best hybrid sunscreen
If you want the benefits of chemical sunscreens and the physical sunscreens used with mineral SPF, many new sunscreens use hybrid formulas that combine zinc with protective chemicals.
How to apply sunscreen correctly
“Apply the correct amount [of sunscreen] Reapply every 2-3 hours or any time after water exposure/excessive sweating,” Dr. Geddes recommends.
But how much is enough? Dr. Geddes points out: “Generally speaking, we don’t use enough sunscreen when applying it to our skin. Studies show that the way we apply it gets us about 1/4 of the SPF value listed on the label. So, choose a sunscreen that’s more A high SPF value can provide you with a higher level of protection.
For your face, ears and neck, you should use about a teaspoon or 5 ml of sunscreen. The three-finger rule is a good guide. Squeeze out enough sunscreen to cover three finger lengths and spread evenly.
“If you’re concerned about aging skin, hyperpigmentation, or the risk of skin cancer, an ideal sun protection routine is to apply your favorite sunscreen to your face and neck every morning after applying your skin care products, regardless of the weather. If you’re at When spending time outdoors, be sure to reapply every 2-3 hours.
The last sentence? Apply then reapply (and then reapply again. “Two applications of sunscreen is a great way to ensure you get enough initial coverage when you reapply. But honestly, any reapply is better than none!”
SPF in cosmetics for slimming
Today, every product contains SPF. From tinted foundation to face mists and even SPF eyeshadow. These products are a great way to add SPF to your daily routine, but they shouldn’t be your only source of sunscreen.
“Newer products combine makeup and sunscreen to provide some level of UV protection, but you’re unlikely to apply makeup thickly enough to achieve the SPF stated on the bottle. Most people just don’t wear it that heavily. Makeup. So it’s best to apply sunscreen separately after makeup,” says Dr. Geddes.
Why you shouldn’t mix SPF with other products
“It’s not a good idea to mix sunscreen with moisturizer,” says Dr. Geddes. SPF in products like moisturizers and makeup is formulated to protect you. However, mixing the two will weaken your protection and render the formula inactive.
“There’s no way to ensure even mixing, and it interferes with the formula’s inherent properties of forming a protective film. Ideally, apply moisturizer first, then sunscreen.
Instead, use products that contain SPF – but, as mentioned above, don’t count on them being your only protection.
Sunscreen innovations to try in 2024
New innovations in the SPF space are emerging every day, some more promising than others. A new SPF trend: sunscreen patches. These, like acne patches, wrinkle patches or eye patches, sit on top of the skin and act as a physical barrier from the sun.
“Sunscreen patches are an exciting new form of photoprotection. They can provide all-day, reliable coverage like UPF clothing and are a great addition for people who spend a lot of time outdoors. The problem is that they Many of them are very visible, have limited coverage (so you still need sunscreen), and they can be expensive, not to mention very wasteful for one-time use.
Sunscreen Myths Busted
“The weirdest and potentially harmful trend I’ve seen on social media is homemade sunscreen recipes. You can’t effectively mix your own sunscreen in your home kitchen and expect it to work. Stick to tried and true thing.
There are also rumors that claim sunscreen is bad for you, or worse, urge you not to wear it. Although sunscreen is the main (and best) source of sun protection, it’s not the only source. “If you really want to avoid using sunscreen, wear a large hat and sunglasses, wear sun-protective clothing and avoid peak sun hours (between 10pm and 2pm).”
