Don’t rely on makeup with sunscreen or umbrellas to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays

• A dermatologist says regularly applying high-protection sunscreen remains a more effective solution and offers tips to maximise its benefits.

July 2023.- Products such as makeup with built-in sunscreen and umbrellas may not offer the level of protection needed against the sun’s harmful rays, so people are advised to take a more comprehensive approach.

“People tend to overestimate the protection they get from makeup products with sunscreen and from umbrellas,” says Dr. Amy Kassouf of the global health system Cleveland Clinic. “In reality, the shade of an umbrella is much less effective than a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF), while the SPF in makeup is probably not enough to limit the harmful effects of the sun’s skin-burning ultraviolet (UV) rays.”

With regard to umbrellas, dermatologist Kassouf says that while any shade is better than none, research on beach umbrellas found that 78% of users ended up sunburnt after three and a half hours on the beach, whereas only 25% of those who used SPF 100 sunscreen got sunburnt over the same period.

In the case of makeup containing sunscreen, Dr. Kassouf points out that skincare companies spread an extra-thick layer of a product when it is tested for SPF. “In the real world, people don’t wear such thick layers of makeup, so you are more than likely not getting the full protection shown on the label,” she says.

The same dynamic applies to sunscreen, adds Dr. Kassouf, so doubling up can be an effective strategy. “Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and makeup with SPF 30. Together, they will add up to the protection you need,” she says.

If someone is using SPF makeup for the convenience of applying fewer products, Dr. Kassouf suggests trying a tinted mineral-based sunscreen, which she says is one of the best new sun protection products. “Some iron oxide is added to the zinc and titanium sunscreen base to give it a tan colour,” she explains. “That way, you get the broadest-spectrum sun protection in a product that can also match your skin tone, and it’s just one product to reapply.”

5 tips for applying sunscreen

“It is well known that sun exposure is the main cause of skin cancer, including potentially deadly melanoma,” explains Kassouf. “Sunlight also ages the skin by damaging skin cells, leading to fine lines, wrinkles and discolouration. The main defence against this damage is to use, and regularly reapply, a high SPF.”

According to Dr. Kassouf, there are five ways to maximise the effectiveness of sunscreen:

1. Choose broad-spectrum sun protection products, which protect against UVA and UVB rays, the two types of sun rays that cause damage.
2. Choose sun protection products with an SPF of at least 30, but preferably higher for a little extra protection, especially if you will be outdoors for a long time.
3. Use sunscreen generously. The most common mistake people make when applying sunscreen is not using enough, says Dr. Kassouf. It should be reapplied roughly every two hours, or more often if a person is swimming, sweating or wearing away the previous protective layer.
4. Don’t forget to apply it to the neck, arms and any other sun-exposed skin, not just the face.
5. Pay attention to the expiry date, as sunscreen does not last forever and its protection weakens over time.

“People have lots of options when it comes to protecting their skin from sun damage, including SPF makeup, umbrellas, sunglasses and special sun-protective clothing,” concludes Dr. Kassouf. “They don’t have to choose just one; in fact, using them all can help protect them better.”

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About Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical centre that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based on the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States.  

U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 72,500 employees worldwide are more than 5,050 salaried physicians and researchers, and 17,800 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties.  Cleveland Clinic is a 6,500-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 21 hospitals, more than 220 outpatient facilities, and locations in northeast Ohio; southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England.

In 2021, there were 10.2 million outpatient visits, 304,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 259,000 surgeries across Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries.  

Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/ClevelandClinic. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.

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