Low SPF in moisturiser

[MESSING2]

After years of searching, I've found the perfect daily moisturiser for my 40something oily skin (Boots Botanics) I love everything about it, and it has 5* UVA but only SPF15 .

Is it OK for me to use this throughout the summer, or should I be aiming for a higher SPF to avoid this --> I only use it when I get a bit of sun on the way to work etc, if outside all day I would use a proper sunscreen with higher rating.

TIA

You should wear sunscreen underneath. Fluid ones work best for me. I got horrible hyperpigmentation from relying on SPF15 moisturizer years ago. It recurs every year if I'm not super diligent with proper sunscreen.

Of course if you live somewhere where it is always overcast and only stay outdoors for a minute it might be sufficient, but I wouldn't risk it.

I always aim to use at least spf 30, my dermatologist told me a few years back that this was the minimum to ensure a good level of protection. I normally wear a moisturiser with Spf 50, and touch up with a powder sunscreen during the day in summer.

Also I have very oily skin as well. The spf50 moisturiser I use is Alpha H daily essential moisturiser. It's very lightweight and non greasy.

SPF 15 is too low- you need 25+ and up to 50.
Also, the amount of moisturiser you would need to use to get decent all day protection would be far more than you would use normally on your skin.

And it 's all the 'little bits of sun' that add up over a lifetime- from hanging out the washing, walking across the car park, through windscreen glass, and on cloudy days too.

I'd never rely on spf in a moisturiser- I use a separate spf product on top.

Thanks all. I was under the impression that SPF rating is just to prevent burning (UVB) and UVA rating is about aging/brown spots. Is that completely wrong?

I think if you want the SPF to actually do anything then it needs to be a dedicated product.

Unless you're going to be topping up your moisturiser frequently throughout the day then it's really not up to the job of providing sun protection.

Would you not consider a sunscreen?

try this

You are right about UVA and UVB but the amount of protection from something that is basically a moisturiser may not give you much protection.

DCI I just find dedicated sunscreens too heavy/thick, haven't yet found one that doesn't leave a white or oily sheen. Haven't tried the ones mentioned upthread, though.

I use Sun Sense every day

I liked Sunsense. I also have 40 yr old oily skin and liked that it was oil-free, no white cast, SPF 50, niacinamide helped stop spots. Covered everything I was looking for and I don't need a separate moisturiser when I use it.

SPF moisturisers are only for ladies-who-lunch-indoors, and step only from car to shop to office. If you spend any decent amount of time outside they are useless. Buy a real sunscreen.

don't believe me? Look up what the British Association of Dermatologists say.