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It’s important to moisturize before applying sunscreen because moisturizers help hydrate and nourish the skin, creating a smooth and even surface for the sunscreen to adhere to. This can improve the effectiveness of the sunscreen and ensure more even coverage. Additionally, moisturizers can help prevent the sunscreen from drying out the skin, especially if it contains ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which can be drying.
Applying sunscreen last ensures that it forms a protective barrier on top of the moisturizer, maximizing its effectiveness in blocking UV radiation from reaching the skin. If sunscreen is applied first, moisturizer may dilute or interfere with its ability to adhere to the skin properly, reducing its effectiveness.
But what about when you choose to use a facial oil to moisturize your redhead skin? You can just pop your SPF right over the top of it like you would a moisturizer…right? Stop! SPF and facial oil is one combo you want to avoid because it can leave your skin compromised and at risk of sun damage:
How do oils impact sunscreen?
Oil-based products are amazing for getting your face squeaky clean, removing SPF at the end of the day and moisturizing. If you’re wondering what the difference is between an oil-based cleanser and a facial oil serum — it’s not a whole lot. Facial oil serums are actually known to break down your sunscreen, causing it to be less effective.
Skincare oils can affect sunscreen in a few ways:
1. Dilution: If you mix oils with sunscreen, it can dilute the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) and reduce its effectiveness in protecting your skin from UV rays.
2. Barrier: Some oils create a barrier on the skin, which can potentially interfere with the even distribution and adherence of sunscreen, leading to patchy coverage and reduced protection.
3. Effectiveness: Certain oils may enhance the efficacy of sunscreen by providing additional hydration and nourishment to the skin, potentially improving its overall health and ability to withstand sun exposure.
4. Stability: Some oils contain antioxidants that may help stabilize the active ingredients in sunscreen, prolonging their effectiveness and preventing degradation due to sun exposure.
Overall, it’s essential to be cautious when combining skincare oils with sunscreen and ensure that the sunscreen remains the primary protective layer on your skin, applied evenly and generously.
What can you do instead?
The best way to utilize facial oils in your skincare routine is at night. This gives the oils time to soak into the skin without impacting your skin’s sun safety. Instead, opt for a super hydrating oil-free moisturizer, or even a hydrating SPF. If you’re dead set on wearing facial oil during the day, just make sure you apply it well before your SPF and allow it time to soak into the skin before adding your sunscreen. This will reduce the risk of breaking down the sunscreen.
To apply a facial oil before SPF in the morning, follow these steps:
1. Cleanse Your Skin: Start with a clean face. Use a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt, oil, or impurities from your skin.
2. Toner (Optional): If you use a toner in your skincare routine, apply it after cleansing and before the facial oil.
3. Apply the Facial Oil: Dispense a few drops of facial oil onto your fingertips. Gently massage the oil into your skin using upward, circular motions. Focus on areas that tend to be drier or where you want extra hydration. Allow the oil to absorb fully into your skin before moving to the next step.
4. Wait a Few Minutes: Give the facial oil a few minutes to fully absorb into your skin. This will ensure that it doesn’t interfere with the effectiveness of the sunscreen.
5. Apply Sunscreen: Once the facial oil has absorbed, apply your SPF sunscreen evenly over your entire face and neck. Be sure to use enough sunscreen to adequately cover your skin for effective protection against UV rays.
6. Let It Set: Allow the sunscreen to set for a few minutes before applying any makeup or additional skincare products.
By following these steps, you can effectively incorporate a facial oil into your morning skincare routine before applying SPF sunscreen.
Rock it like a Redhead!
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