Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Do I really need a separate SPF sun block for my face?

38 replies

notjustamummythankyou · 22/03/2014 09:57

For years I have always used a moisturiser with an SPF - often SPF 15, and for the past couple of years SPF 30. Is this enough, or should I fall into the laps of the cosmetics giants and get a separate daily sun block?

I used to use Clinique city block many moons ago, but found it quite chalky and it made me look as white as a ghost. So, any recommendations? I'm 43 and my skin is pretty well behaved. I'm happy to spend anything up to clinique / Clarins / lancome kind of prices.

Ta! Smile

OP posts:
jaffacakesallround · 22/03/2014 14:42

SPF 15 is very low- most dermatologists say use 30 upwards.

The point being that the amount of SPF in foundation or all round moisturiser is going to be very low anyway- and once it's spread all over your face the protection is minimal.

Look at it another way- you need something like a 10p coin worth of SPF for your face to do the job. That's sun block - not spf in another product. Now most of us use nothing like a 10p dollop of foundation or moisturiser on the face . So you can see that the amount of SPF you are actually getting is hardly any.

My opinion is that the SPF in moisturisers is a con- it's there to give false security and is a selling point.

To really protect, yes, you do need a separate sun block and don't forget that if you apply it at 7am it's not going to still work at 6pm- just the same as if it was sun block on your body.

I use Clinique City Block and find it's darker than my skin tone, but I use it under a very pale foundation.

Marylou2 · 22/03/2014 18:56

Hi Jaffacake, this is really interesting. Should the separate SPF go under or over a moisturiser? And also do you have a preferred product? Sorry to hijack your thread OP! All advice much appreciated.

Marylou2 · 22/03/2014 18:57

Sorry just seen you like City Block!

sugar4eva · 22/03/2014 19:17

Any alternatives to city block ? I rely don't want Nything with colour?

lurkingaround · 22/03/2014 19:26

I don't agree jaffacakes. SPF50 is SPF50, whether it's called a moisturiser or not.

HelloBoys · 22/03/2014 19:28

Ok OP I use either Nuxe SPF 30 or L'Occitane SPF 40 over my foundation without any SPF in it currently Avene rich compensating cream. Apply it on top.

That's because most moisturisers with it in I either didn't like or weren't high enough SPF. Kiehls do I think a 50 but y less you're porcelain/v fair you shouldn't need that high. Of course more when on holiday.

Been doing this for a year now and v pleased with it wish I'd done it sooner!

HelloBoys · 22/03/2014 19:32

jaffacakes do you reapply city block throughout the day then? Unless maybe Summer the amount of time I'm out, 30 mins walking to station/waiting for train/to work, 30 mins walk at lunch (in/out of shops and on street) and whatever I do after work out etc.... It's not much time outside.

IsletsOfLangerhans · 22/03/2014 19:36

I use Kiehls ultra light daily moisturiser SPF 50 and then a little Origins Vitazing spf15 energy-boosting moisturiser on top. The Origins one is lightly tinted. I've been getting a lot of comments about how natural and glowing my skin looks! I have some pigmentation marks on my face and also recently had melanoma, so want as much protection as possible. My dermatologist said spf50 minimum (and I have olive, not easily burned skin)

FiscalCliffRocksThisTown · 22/03/2014 20:22

I find all sunblocks block my pores and make my fCe sweat, so it is like having milk on my face, then cause spots!

So I just wear a cap/hat and seek shade.

Though recommendations are welcome.

hiccupgirl · 22/03/2014 20:52

I use a moisturiser with SPF15 in it and have done for 15+ yrs now...nearly 42. I just don't buy that I need something else on top. When I had a brief phase of using a moisturiser in without SPF at all my face burnt so clearly the SPF15 is doing something however thin it's spread out.

Having said that in the summer I put normal SPF30+ sun cream on my face when I do my arms etc and this works fine.

jaffacakesallround · 22/03/2014 21:21

I don't agree jaffacakes. SPF50 is SPF50, whether it's called a moisturiser or not.

Lurking- you are missing the point. yes, SPFs are what they say they are- but what you don't know is what amount of sun block is in a 30ml bottle of foundation or moisturiser. It might be 5 mls! So the amount that you are layering onto your skin is so thin that it won't give enough protection.

I am talking about the amount needed. read any advice - loads online- from dermatologists. They go on about how very few of us use enough sun block- you need lots!

read this- it's US speak but it's still relevant.
www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/ask-the-experts/how-much-sunscreen-should-i-be-using-on-my-face-and-body

2mls per cm on the face- so over your whole face you might need a desert spoon of foundation to give protection. Do you use that much?

hiccup - SPF is not there just to stop burning. You need to learn about UVA and UVB rays and the effects they have- one burns , the other damages deep layers of the skin which is not visible damage for years- the wrinkles, sagging, age spots and even skin cancer develops.

A friend of mine has a rodent ulcer on her nose- which is being biopsied for cancer. She has olive skin anyway being Greek- but the dermo told her that the damage was done about 30 years ago when she lived and worked in Greece- because she's kept her skin protected for many years since then.

alexheartbeauty · 22/03/2014 21:23

I'm another city block fan. I find it gives too much of a sheen on its own but works best with a bit of foundation on top.

There's an SPF 50 by Obagi which has no tint and I really like. I also like the LRP and Avene ones. The skinceuticals ones are supposed to be very good but I haven't tried them myself.

If you just want to use a moisturiser I'd try the olay regenerist spf 30.

jaffacakesallround · 22/03/2014 21:26

p.s. I apply city block over moisturiser. I don't spend time in the sun 'sun bathing' but if I did i'd use a high SPF face product and re-apply.
If I am out anywhere and really needed more on my face then I'd re-apply city block over foundation if it was a very sunny/hot day.

AndTwoBits · 22/03/2014 21:28

Im wearing the la roche posay one. It's called anthelios xl spf 50. I wear it as a moisturiser under foundation and it doesnt clog my skin or feel oily. My skin is oily enough as it is. Im really happy with it. I wear it regardless of the weather. Im a red head and burn quick as look at the sun!

alexheartbeauty · 22/03/2014 21:36

I think Jaffa's points are really important.
Some foundations and moisturisers with Spf only protect against UVB rays which won't stop photoaging.
If you're interested I've done a post on this, the difference between UVA1&2 and UVB rays and what you need to look for on product labels/packaging:
www.iheartbeauty.net/2013/10/uva-what-you-need-to-know.html

alexheartbeauty · 22/03/2014 21:40

Jaffa - I also reapply city block over my foundation on very sunny days. It looks fine as long as I remember not to put too much near my temples as it seems to pill up there and then the little bits get in my hair.

jaffacakesallround · 22/03/2014 22:28

it's the amount you use that is the key: the report linked from the dermo says 2mls per cm skin on the face- that is 5mls ( 1 teaspoon) per inch of skin ( almost). Imagine how many teaspoons of foundation or moisturiser with a minimum spf ( 10 or 15) you need to cover your whole face...

lurkingaround · 22/03/2014 22:31

I'm not sure I follow you jaffacakes. SPF50 is spf50. You need the same amount of spf50 sunscreen as you do of spf50 moisturiser. The '50' is determined by the concentration of SPF in the product. None of us apply enough, hence the need for 50. You do need to make sure it's a good SPF tho.

squoosh · 22/03/2014 22:50

I'm very fair and like to use a facial sunscreen. Far and away my fave is Lancôme UV Expert GN-Shield SPF50

Not too cheap, but a joy to put on, not at all greasy like lots of other suncreens. Great base for makeup.

Sicaq · 22/03/2014 22:53

I use ASDA factor 30 sun cream (not face cream, but I use it s one

Sicaq · 22/03/2014 22:55

... Bloody iPad. I use it as a face cream. I vaguely remember it came out very well in a Which test a couple of years ago.

Fozzleyplum · 22/03/2014 23:08

Last year, I discovered Aldi Lacura Anti Skin Ageing Sun Cream. They stock it from early Summer onwards, in SPF 30 and 50. The packaging is obviously designed to be reminiscent of Clarins, and it certainly outperforms its price (less than £4). I stocked up and use it all year round.

In the morning, I use eye cream (have never found a sun cream that doesn't make eyes sting), then use the Aldi instead of a moisturiser. The SPF 30 sinks in very quickly. Even the SPF 50, which I use in the Summer, is easier to apply, IME, than Cityblock.

Suzannewithaplan · 23/03/2014 01:43

I use sains factor 50 baby/sensitive skin suncream, it does make your face white though...not a problem for me because I like to look pale

jaffacakesallround · 23/03/2014 08:09

lurking
I think you are still missing the point.

Which is-yes, a sun block or foundation with spf 50 is going to give you spf 50 protection if you use enough- but to get enough you have to use a lot- far more than would be practical with foundation ( would you use a tablespoon on your face?)

And as most foundations have spf 15, the spf in them is barely worth mentioning.

The same applies to a moisturiser- if it has even spf 30, the amount needed to actually give that protection is way above what anyone would normally use as a face cream, per se.