Day cream with SPF vs a Moisturiser with Proper SPF?

[RockTheRunway]

Like L’Oréal day cream SPF 20 vs Cerave basic lotion followed up by LRP sun cream? I guess both approaches can work, just curious to know opinions. I tend to go with option one all year, except summer months. Just ran out of day cream and given how cold it is, considering rebuying option 1 again.

Daily I go for a moisturiser that has a spf of around 15-20 and then when it's actually summer I use a proper spf instead.

Only thing is the daily spf moisturiser I was using has been discontinued so been using one without any spf until I find a good replacement! I am trying a SPF UV serum thing you put over but not sure it's the best option.

I get spots if I use a separate SPF, even the expensive ones. I never get spots otherwise.

So, now I just use a moisturiser that says it contains SPF. No idea if it works. I don't burn, certainly, day to day, so hopefully it's ok.

I use a moisturiser with SPF on a day to day basis, higher SPF in the summer months. If I'm going to be actually sat out in the sun for any length of time I use a proper SPF.

Dermatologists say SPF should always be separate as we just don't put enough moisturizer on and it should be SPF 50.

This. Moisturiser/foundations that have SPF are not effective really. They contain enough SPF that they can advertise it as an ingredient but there will never be enough to protect you.

I have never ever burnt my face but this week I will be having my 4th Basal Cell Carcinoma removed from my face.

You must use a good SPF 50 all year round is what I have been told at the skins clinic.

The thing is I don't put "more" suncream on than I do a moisturiser as it would just sit on my face! So not sure what the difference is?

It shouldn't just sit on your face.
I use cheapo Garnier SPF 50 for the face. Costs about £5.
Sometimes I use it instead of moisturizer. You can substitute moisturizer with SPF with just SPF. But not really the other way round.

I've read that as long as your moisturiser is at least factor 30 then you don't need a separate sunscreen but most are only factor 15 or so. The reason they advise factor 50 is that most people don't apply enough and applying factor 50 results in most people get factor 30 protection.

A friend of mine is a dermatologist and she's evangelical about using moisturiser, letting it soak in a little bit, then putting SPF50 on top. She tells me SPF should be topped up every few hours, even if you're indoors all day and especially in summer.

As PP said, moisturisers claiming to have SPF have enough SPF in them to be advertised as such but not enough to be providing actual measurable protection.

I use a separate SPF all year round - at the moment it's the Beauty of Joseon SPF50, but I'll probably switch to LRP or something for July/August. I like the lighter feeling Korean sunscreens for all year round and in the city, but in the summer months and if I'm going to be on the beach/out all day I prefer a higher protection SPF. This also means I can use the same basic moisturiser as an AM and PM product. I'm fairly pale, prone to burning, family history of carcinoma.

I use Kiehls day moisturiser with spf 30 in - only one I could find with more than spf15!

A friend of mine is a dermatologist and she's evangelical about using moisturiser, letting it soak in a little bit, then putting SPF50 on top. She tells me SPF should be topped up every few hours, even if you're indoors all day and especially in summer.

But this is the counsel of perfection. I worry that this sort of advice makes people think "Oh fuck it, that is clearly ridiculous - I'll just do what everyone else does and hope my factor 15 moisturiser does that job".

I use a cerave spf 50 moisturiser every day but for holiday when I will actually be away from my desk I will be using ultrasun throughout the day.

I don't think its at all ridiculous to use moisturiser and SPF 50 every day, all year round, and re-apply a few times a day.

Even when you're indoors all day? That doesn't seem excessive to you?

I heard a doctor on once saying that you have to put a sun cream on, that the amount in make up or moisturiser isn’t enough but I don’t know if she meant protection from skin cancer because the odd time I haven’t used sun cream but had a moisturiser with spf in it I didn’t burn (in conditions I definitely would have been red after). I live for lrp- if they ever discontinue it I’m screwed- I use it after primer and before make up or bb cream daily (I have roseacea so have to use it all year round)

Unless, 'indoors' means a windowless box then you're still likely to be exposed to UVA rays through windows.

No, spending 20 seconds, three or four times a day either rubbing a bit of cream or spraying a mist on my face doesn't seem at all excessive to me.

It doesn't seem excessive to me anyway because its a couple of minutes of my day. But it certainly doesn't seem excessive given its a way to help reduce cancer risk.

I am finding this difficult due to the number of layers. Serum/moisturiser/spf/bb cream or foundation. It seems like too many layers and starts to rub off! I try to leave a few minutes between each but it is still not working and there is only so much time in the morning. Any suggestions would be appreciated

If it's pilling (rubbing off) it's because of silicone in the product. Probably serum.

I have that happen too, but it tends to be ok if you leave each layer a few minutes. Plus, some people won't need a moisturizer and an SPF as above. The facial SPF formulations can be enough on their own for some people.

Thanks, will try without moisturiser 😀

The stated SPF on any product is based on the protection gained when using a full quarter teaspoon or approx 2 finger lengths.

Anything less than this means you are not getting the specified spf.

Just using a tiny bit of the product won't give you the stated spf.

It's pretty much impossible to use this much moisturiser. That's why it tends to be better to use a separate spf as the spf settles down after about 10 min in a way moisturiser won't.

If you use a hydrating spf rather than a mattifying one you may find you don't need a moisturiser at all esp during humid months.

Yep.

The amount of spf in those moisturisers is not enough. And certainly not long lasting enough - maybe a couple of hours but not all day.

I always use a seperate spf on top.

Sure. If you are applying this much moisturiser. Which no one does as it would end up like an oil slick

@TheYearOfSmallThings

Even when you're indoors all day? That doesn't seem excessive to you?

Yep. Because UVA rats are consistent all year and are present indoors and out.
It's UVB rays that are worse in summer and outdoors.

UVA rays are the ones mostly causing photoaging.

If a cream is advertised/labelled as SPF 20/30/50 then that’s exactly the level of protection it gives whether it calls itself a moisturiser or a sunscreen. It’s the law! So it’s entirely up to you what product you use but look for protection against UVA (so PA+++/++++ or UVA with 3-5 stars) as SPF only refers to UVB - the ‘burning’ rays, not UVA the ‘ageing’ rays. Look for min SPF30 and apply generously and reapply during the day if you are out, and particularly if the UV index is above 3 (which is most days between April - Sept)