Listen, I get it. You’re sick of sun-shaming. But now that we’re right in the thick of the dog days of summer, it won’t hurt for another “please wear sunscreen” PSA – well, it won’t hurt as much as a sunburn would!
I’m sorry to break more “bad” news to you. Slapping it on in the AM and hoping for the best just doesn’t cut it: Sunscreen actives in the formula start to disintegrate in direct response to UV light, sort of like hairline cracks adding up to irredeemable fissures.
The implication? Joshua Wong, senior patient care pharmacist at Guardian Health & Beauty Singapore, says that reapplication is of the essence: “Sunscreen should always be applied every two hours, or as recommended by the manufacturer.”
What if I use a product with a ridiculously high SPF? As reassuring as an SPF 120 lotion may be, Joshua Wong cautions against leaning too heavily on the numbers stamped on a bottle for security: “A higher SPF is not necessarily better, as it may give consumers a false sense of protection. Always re-apply when two hours are up.”
The solution – frequent reapplication – is a no-brainer, but also back-breakingly burdensome to pull off: Us working folk have enough to worry about, thank you very much. Asking us to slather on globs of greasy sun cream that’s going to lay waste to our existing warpaint? Ain’t gonna happen.
"Raybans", for your consideration: Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF15, $60; Make Up For Ever White Definition New-Generation Powder Foundation SPF30 PA++, $65 for Refill and $20 for Empty Pack; and Shiseido UV Protective Compact Foundation SPF35 PA+++, $16 for case and $43 for refill
Which is why SPF face powders are one of the greatest things since sliced bread. Think about it: You’re touching up your makeup, cutting through midday shine and topping up your sunscreen all at once – and in under 20 seconds to boot.
Just one tiny caveat: Don’t rely solely on powders for protection, as it’s well nigh impossible to get the SPF stated on the label without piling it on like a stage actress.
All you need to do is to whip out your compact of choice whenever you feel shine creeping up, press the puff liberally all over your face, and you’ll be recharging your skin’s defence against the sun at the same time.
So easy, so breezy, so effortless, especially since there’s a plethora of SPF powder products on the market right now. I hope this has been an enlightening “ray” of a read. Now go break a leg beauty shopping!