Why don't moisturisers with sun protection have those stars for protection on the back? Are they not worth it?

[foxinsocks]

I get hyperpigmented skin on my face. I'd love to use a moisturiser with sun protection but none of them seem to have those star ratings on the back which makes me think that they can claim to be sun protecting when they are not.

Obviously, if I am going to be out and about, I'll use proper sun cream but this is just for going to and from work so when I'm not exposed to the sun that much but just fancy a bit more protection than nothing.

Do you use one?

I think this is because they only protect against UVA and not UVB?
maybe someone else has more knowledge.

I dont know aboutthe rules regarding those but they usually only go up to about a 15 SPF anyway. I put moisturiser on, then 40SPF city block

My clinique city block has no stars on it but protects from UVA and UVB

I read that they are for protection when you are going, say, from the car into a building, in just normal conditions, not for use as a sun protection cream in strong sunlight IYSWIM. So it is more of an added extra to help with anti-aging, rather than as an actual sun screen.

I get patches of pigmentation on my face too and have to use a proper sunscreen in the summer months.

I'm not sure any of those moisturisers have stars on tbh. I had a good look the other day and didn't find any with a rating but I suppose they are only meant to be for incidental exposure anyway

Aren't the ratings sort of voluntary introduced by Boots for their own products initially?
I imagine companies like Estee Lauder etc. don't see the need to follow suit.

I think Boots developed the system but I also think it's a good idea to know what sort of protection you are getting from a sun cream. I'd rather I knew than didn't iyswim.

If you want good proper SPF cosmetics, try the Australian Cancer Council stuff. It is really good, and the SPF is properly accredited. It goes to 30+, they don't use higher ratings there (as they stick with science, not marketing). I have never found sunscreen as good as theirs. I haven't tried the make up, but expect a high standard on the sun protection.

See here for foundation, tinted moisturiser and lippie.

Thanks meditrina, I will have a look for that stuff. Haven't been to the shops in a while so will have a good look around for what's out there!

As a beauty therapist I would say that generally the moisturisers with spf in are between a factor of 10 - 15 but they do not have the * ratings has they have not undergone the same tests that a sole purpose sunscreen goes through in order to be able to state this. (This is normally down to a cost factor that would push the price up).

As previously said, they do have a place to play but are designed as an extra measure to give all year round protection when you may not necessarily think to put spf on or get caught out when you weren't expecting to be outside.

If you suffer from pigmentation you really need to use a separate spf especially in sunnier months to prevent getting more and the ones you have getting darker.

The amount of product needed for a total sunscreen use is more than the amount of moisturiser or foundation that is practical to apply if you are relying on that as your only spf.

As an alternative, you could look for a sunscreen that is tinted. That way you know the spf but have the bit of colour/coverage benefit from it being tinted.
I have a good one from L'oreal that is spf 50 and certainly has enough coverage and colour to use on it's own if I want.

Thanks tangerine.

My hyperpigmentation is quite extensive so I will probably give in and just put sun cream on every day. I find it harder to remember to put it on than moisturiser if that makes sense! And often when I leave for work it's not obviously sunny!

I might buy one of those pocket sized sun cream bottles and just keep it in my handbag.

Aren't the star ratings just a Boots thing?

There is no such thing as SPF 50.