Daily Sun Care – the Case for Layering
This month, I would like to address a question I get asked very frequently: For daily sun protection, should you use a moisturizer with sunscreen or a separate sunscreen on top of a regular moisturizer? Consider this Part-2 of my first article on proper sun care.This month, I would like to address a question I get asked very frequently: For daily sun protection, should you use a moisturizer with sunscreen or a separate sunscreen on top of a regular moisturizer? Consider this Part-2 of my first article on proper sun care.
after many years of experimenting with “short-cuts” myself, I find that there are actually many arguments in favor of applying sunscreen separately from your moisturizer
As more and more people understand the importance of daily sun protection (rain or shine), almost every skincare line offers a day-time moisturizer with more or less broad-spectrum sun screen agents. Given so many convenient 2-in-1 options, why would anybody still apply moisturizer and sunscreen separately? Many of us already follow the multi-step regimen of “Cleanser-Toner-Serum-Moisturizer”, typical for Asian beauty culture. Why add yet another step “Sunscreen” to this already elaborate program? Well, after many years of experimenting with “short-cuts” myself, I find that there are actually many arguments in favor of applying sunscreen separately from your moisturizer:
Combination skin.
There are very few people whose skin is the same on all areas of the face. Typically, the so-called T-zone, especially the nose, is oilier than the cheeks or neck. For some people, myself included, the variations are more pronounced than for others. Moisturizers designed specifically for combination skin, claim to moisturize the dry areas while absorbing excess oil and preventing shine on oily parts. Honestly, I find these combo-products do neither task particularly well. I have learned to manage my combination skin by spot-treating as needed: Use more moisturizer on the cheeks, none on the nose, less on the chin, an eye cream under the eyes, occasionally an anti-shine serum on the nose, etc. Given that many of us need to spot treat to do our skin justice, where does the sunscreen come in? This is why I prefer to apply a regular, non-moisturizing sunscreen after I have finished my skincare regimen from spot-to-spot. It's the shield that goes over everything at the end.
Sunscreen needs to be applied liberally and evenly to be truly effective. Moisturizer does not.
Many dermatologists lament not only the fact that people don't use sunscreen at all, but also that people don't apply nearly enough sunscreen to achieve the recommended level of protection. Chances are, you don't apply your moisturizer-sunscreen as liberally as you would need to achieve sufficient protection. Especially the oilier areas of your face like nose or forehead often remain neglected (see my comments earlier about combination skin). So, instead of smothering your face unnecessarily with moisturizer-sunscreen to increase your protection, why not just use a separate (oil-free) sunscreen on top of your regular moisturizer.
Sun protection needs to be reapplied.
Yes, it's a pain in the neck, but the inconvenient truth is: Sunscreen needs to be reapplied because it wears off over time, whether it is through sweating, touching your face or normal activities throughout the day. When you decide to take a break from work in the afternoon and stroll around the block or enjoy a frappucino in the park, you can be sure that the sunscreen you applied in the morning has lost a lot of its effectiveness. But do you really want to keep reapplying your moisturizer-sunscreen when your skin does not need any more moisture, especially in the summer months? Again, this is when a regular sunscreen comes in handy.
All this sounds more daunting than it actually is. Try it! Just keep one sunscreen in the bathroom for use in the morning, and one in your purse or bag for touch-ups through out the day. In other words: Make sunscreen your constant companion and it'll become a habit before you know it.
Excellent layering sunscreens with broad-spectrum protection include:
Clinique's Super City Block Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25 and SPF 40
Total Block COTZ SPF 58
La Roche-Posay's Anthelios SPF 60 XL Emulsion
Oh by the way, If I continue using the “Neutrogena Rapid Clear oil-control foaming cleanser” twice a day (day and night) is it safe or will it “Strip and damage” my skin?
Hi.
What products can you recommend for me and how to use them to solve my problems?
Here’s my problems: First, my face skin. I have combination skin but my nose tends to get much more oily than my forehead and chin and a little beside my nose (my cheeks). The only face wash so far that is helping me is the “Neutrogena Rapid clear oil control foaming cleanser” but I have to admit, I only use it twice but not every day. I know I gotta wash my face everyday but I don’t. My face is also sensitive and I tend to break out if I use creams and I guess lots of products. What would be a good regimen for me to wash my face with and how many times a day daily to have a healthy and naturally healthy glow? What mosturizers should I use? I also notice I have I think it’s called black heads and I guess large pores in many spots in my face. One product I used was Noxema but my skin breaks out and It doesn’t leave my skin clean just that “invigorating” feeling. I don’t want to damage my skin and I want to have the young looking skin look but with using safe and effective products.
My second problem is my hair: I have very very long hair, naturally curly hair (wish I had super straight hair without chemicals), thick as in lots of hair mostly on the back of my head, and my hair is fine, easily tangles, gets frizzy, and most problematic is that I have oily scalp. No matter what shampoo and conditioners I’ve used, they all left my hair smelling dirty and oily the very next day or later after use. I’ve used: Pantene (not anymore since I read and heard it may cause to lose hair), I’ve also used: “Suave plus conditioner 2 in one for all hair types”, “Pert Plus”, “Herbal Essences,” “Nizoral for oily” “T-Gel”, “Head and shoulders,” “Alberto VO 5” (that one made my scalp feel sooo dry and hurted that I had to stop using it) .. I think that’s it (years back to present). These have left my hair more greasy and the fragrance don’t last, especially the “Dove” and “Nizoral.”
I know this sounds funny but I’m actually grossed by this and I need another shampoo and conditioner but I have no clue which will help for my scalp and hair. I also noticed that when I use a conditioner, my hair gets real greasy but if I don’t use a conditioner, my hair feels more dry and brittle and the tangles get worse. What shampoo and conditioner and other chemical free and safe products can I use to help my hair get very healthy and solve my “grease” problem?
Also, what would you recommend for straightening my hair without chemicals? I tried blow dry but it useless. It only frizzes my hair and when I used the edge of the curly iron it did straightened my bangs BUT after using hairspray which I know burns and damages my hair. I haven’t done that for a looong time now.
Can you help me? Sorry this is soo long.
1) Every good skincare regimen starts with the appropriate cleaner. You need to cleanse your face every day, in your case morning and night, especially at night, and especially if you tend to have excessive oiliness on parts of your face. In order to figure out whether or not Neutrogena’s Rapid Clear Oil-Control Foaming Cleanser is right for you, you will need to use it everyday, and see how your skin feels. Does it feel taut around the drier areas of your face? Generally, I would suggest that if you do have sensitive and rather dry areas in your face, switch to a more gentle cleanser, so that you will not strip the delicate areas of your face.
2) Rather than over-cleanse your face in the morning and at night, use an anti-shine lotion in the morning, and touch up through-out the day with powder-free oil-blotting paper. It works miracles in keeping shine at bay.
3) If you suffer from breakouts, I suggest that you use a lotion containing Salicylic Acid every night on the break-out-prone areas of your face, and a spot treatment with Benzoyl Peroxide during the day. Products that have helped me are Neutrogena’s Rapid Cear Acne Defence Face Lotion and Neutrogena’s One-the-spot Acne Treatment. And they are cheap!
4) A very important point to remember: Do not neglect the parts of your face that are not oily or break-out-prone. They need attention, too! At the very least, use a hydrating eye cream with good antioxidant protection.
5) Lastly, do not forget to wear an oil-free broad-spectrum sunscreen every day!
As far as your questions regarding hair care, it sounds like you have sensitive, oily skin on your scalp. Aggressive products will only exacerbate the problem. Have you tried any of the natural haircare products? I’ve become a fan of Avalon Organics’ haircare, and they have a Tea Tree Mint Treatment Shampoo and Conditioner, both of which are formulated specifically for excessively oily scalp without any aggressive ingredients.
There are numerous non-chemical straightening products, but keep in mind that none of them render the same result as the chemical option. One straightening balm that has developed quite a cult-following is Phyto’s Phytodefrisant, which I apply before I blow-dry my hair. It is silicone-free, so it will give you that “greasy†feel that a lot of silicone-based serums and balms give. You also might want to consider not straightening your hair at all, and instead play up your curly hair with products that are designed specifically for your type of hair.
Wow, thank you soo much for answering all of my questions and throughouly. I am trully grateful! I will the products you recommended. Thanks soomuch again! Many hugs :=)
Sorry I noticed a typo. I was trying to type the word “Try the products” hehe. Thanks again! Yaaay! 😀
I’m looking forward to search for the products you recommended me. Whohooo, I’m excited! I can’t wait to try them. I’ll let you know once I find them and try them out. 😀 Thanks so much again! 🙂
Sorry to post so much. 🙂
(Quote) “In order to figure out whether or not Neutrogena’s Rapid Clear Oil-Control Foaming Cleanser is right for you, you will need to use it everyday, and see how your skin feels.”
I just remmebered: I did notice something when I posted my first help question here, I washed my face twice for 2 days and on the second day, I noticed my skin felt a little more tighter and dryer on the dry areas of my face (My cheeks) and more flakier than usual on my cheeks, nose and chin. (Yeah, lol my skin is bad. My fault for not washing it daily **blush**) the oily areas though did help from feeling excess oily and shine to a minimum compared to other products. Other products I have tried before like “Noxema” forget it, lol! By the end of the day for example I would end up with a zit on my face. It used to work though when I was in high school. Shucks!
So I’m going shopping this weekend to hopefully find the products you recommended and try them daily as you instructed 🙂 In the meantime I’ll try again using the “Neutrogena Oil control cleanser” but I guess try using a light lotion on my dry areas or probably wash only once a day (at night) until I get the new products. But I’d be happy to let you know how it went afterwards if you like? 😀
Thank you soo much! I used the “Extra Gentle” Neutrogena” and it does feel good on my skin. No burning. I am grateful for all the time, help and dedication you took to help me out with my problem.
God Bless always! 😀
I will see you next month as well 🙂
I’ve def seen this pic of yours before…modelmayhem possibly?
~Misshan~