Sunscreen for face?

[Ginismyfriend]

I am looking old and need to get on top of skincare. Could someone explain sunscreen to me? I currently wear the Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser which says SPF30 - is that enough, or should I be doing more? A separate facial sunscreen? Under makeup? And all year round? I tried a sample of the REN one last year but I looked really shiny so abandoned it. I have very fair skin which burns easily and look about 300 years old at the moment (I’m 42) if that helps.

Hi!
In order to get the best sun protection you need to use a separate SPF on top of moisturiser. The reason being is that you need a lot more to provide the level of protection stated on the packaging than you would usually use for moisturiser. So the SPF claims on moisturisers aren't very meaningful. There is debate around the amount needed but a lot of guidance indicates around 3-5G for the face/neck (half to a full teaspoon). So if you have a pricey moisturiser that's 50g it won't last long!
I use and recommend Altruist, the brand was started by a dermatologist and the products are reasonably priced. They do a face fluid which is not as thick as traditional SPFs in both 30 and 50. They sell on Amazon.
I hope this helps!

Hi I use this. Doesn't clog the skin, leaves no white residue and oil free

Thank you! So for something like one of those do I put that on on top of moisturiser and before make up? Putting foundation on top won’t cancel it out? Sorry for all the questions!

Sorry to butt in but I've been looking for a facial spf and wondered whether makeup goes on ok on top of spf?
I can imagine it going patchy but I am imagining body spf I suppose, I've only ever had spf on my face that is in moisturiser and foundation.

My make up goes on fine, I just let it sink in for ten mins after I've put it on. I think spf is the last thing you should put on your face before make up, as far as I know it doesn't cancel it out

Great, thank you. I think last year I was trying to lard it on over everything else, which is probably why I looked so very shiny

I use the new(ish) Fenty Hydravisor which is a lovely moisturising spf. I’ve forgone wearing spf for so long on my face because I’m dark skinned and everything I tried used to leave a grey cast on my skin, looked like I was dying from the inside out! Caroline Hirons previewed this on her Instagram ahead of its US launch at the end of July and said it was definitely an SPF with the added benefit of moisturing and that it contained enough to be used solely as an spf. I ordered it from America and fell in love with it, applies exactly like a moisturiser, zero grey cast, makeup glides on effortlessly over the top of it. The ONLY thing that can sometimes annoy me is that it stings if I get it in my eyes (I’m usually careful enough but every now and then I’m not!) and it’s now available to buy in Boots here in the UK so it’s a win win. I’m on my second bottle with a backup in my drawer and now never miss a day of SPF!

Dermatologist recently recommended me la Roche posay heliocare

Sorry, anthelios.

Following

If you get sunscreen for the face it should be OK under makeup.

There are also facial sunscreens that say they're "dry touch" or similar which are the ones that dry down super fast.

I alternate between LA Roche Posay and Boots Soltan because both have a wide range of facial sunscreens. Some are dry touch, some are moisturising (so work as moisturiser if you can't be arsed using both) and some are tinted. So you can pick whatever suits your skin type.

I used Kiehls or REN.

Dermatologist friend recommended Altruist

altruistsun.com

I haven't switched as I tend to be quite sensitive to skin care products so stick to what I know.

Second the fenty one, I really like it

I use the SPF 50+ sunscreen from Thank You Farmer, love it. No residue or shine, and doesn't sting my eyes

www.cultbeauty.co.uk/thank-you-farmer-sun-project-water-sun-cream-spf50.html

@SnowCrocus heard thank you farmer is lovely!

[quote SnowCrocus]I use the SPF 50+ sunscreen from Thank You Farmer, love it. No residue or shine, and doesn't sting my eyes

www.cultbeauty.co.uk/thank-you-farmer-sun-project-water-sun-cream-spf50.html[/quote]
I've just started using this one too and love it. I found the Ren one too thick and chalky. La Roche Posey one is fab but I found it a bit harsher on my skin. I do have the spray for touch ups during the day though.

I use sunscreen after moisturiser and then make up. But never sure how to reapply during day as would have to take off make up and start again .

What do others do ?

I’ve just ordered the Fenty Hydravisor as heard good things - there’s 20% off Fenty in Boots at the moment (this weekend only I think).

Hope you like it @Betsy88 - Boots have had the 20% on and off it for a while which is why I picked up the backup when I did. I think it’s the only beauty purchase I have ever gone out of my way to reorder 3 times! Normally I use something up and move on but I think this is it now, I’m not sure I’ll ever move on!
Did you buy the one with the bottle or just the refill? I think the refill will work on its own anyway but I bought the whole thing the first time and now just buy the refill cartridges. I have no idea how it’s saving anything on packaging, a whole hype surrounded the fact of it being more environmentally friendly but you still have to dispose of the refill as often as you would have done if it didn’t have the outer packaging so I found that a bit baffling

I think the spf in your make up should be fine for winter months when there's sod all sunlight (assuming you're in the UK). But if you're fair skinned it's worth getting a high spf sunscreen for sunnier months. I have oily skin so I like La Roche Posay, Vichy, and Bioderma oil free/anti-shine spf 50 creams. They're all good but I think I like vichy the best. There are also those Japanese and Korean ones like Biore Watery Essence that are more like a watery gel. Some people swear by them.

Ambre Solaire do one similar to the LRP one, same size bottle. Goes on lovely. Only £7

I’ve used Biore (sooo light) and really liked it. Now I use Claudalie SPF 50 daily. This is my favourite. Not too thick, no white sheen and make-up goes on well over it

Altruist make a lovely one and it’s not too expensive. Not drying or dehydrating.