How to layer sunscreen OVER makeup

I wanted to call this post initially “Adventures in sunscreen layering over makeup for city trips in a hot climate”, but recognise that it’s maybe a bit convoluted. But: it’s exactly that.

Imagine you’re in a situation where you either wear makeup, or can’t just layer your regular sunscreen easily. You’re in a very sunny climate though where you actually SHOULD re-apply sunscreen, even if you loaded up with SPF50 in the morning. Dermatologists usually say that you should re-apply sunscreen every two hours (AAD), btw. Now what?

Two products to the rescue I tested recently on my trip to Porto, Lisbon and the Algarve, where I spend whole days outdoors under the sun (exploring is hard work!) AND wore (simple, I give you that, but still) makeup so I couldn’t just re-apply my trusty Isdin sunscreen (review). Here’s how to layer sunscreen over makeup without looking a total fool with two helpful products.

Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Expert+ with SPF50

A short advice on sunscreen sprays

Don’t use them as your whole source of SPF protection. You’re unlikely to reach a sufficient protection, because you’re unable to track where the sunscreen actually hit your skin and forms its protective layer. Also, you nearly certainly won’t be able to reap the full SPF from it: it’s commonly accepted that you need about 1.5gr of sunscreen for your face, and sprays are very, very lightweight. It’s the reason we like them (I’ve reviewed some from L’Oreal and Bioderma before) – but they have their disadvantages.

Filters

All chemical, and Sensitive Expert+ is choc-full with them.

• Homosalate (UVB)
• Octocrylene (UVB)
• Avobenzone (UVA)
• Octisalate (UVB)
• Mexoryl XL (UVA+UVB)
• Uvinul T (UVB).

Other notable ingredients

• Hyaluronic acid
• Antioxidants: Tocopherol, Thermus thermophilus ferment (also used as an anti-pollutant in skincare), Scutellaria baicalensis (also called skullcap, with soothing properties)
• No alcohol
• Fragrance (last on the inci list)

Application and use

When you spray it over makeup (close your eyes and mouth!) it feels nearly weightless. Nearly. You can detect it (it makes your makeup look a bit more glowy – or shiny, however low your personal threshold is when it comes to glow), and also slightly feel it, although it doesn’t form a sticky layer. I usually blot first and apply second, and that seems to do the trick.

It smells a bit… sunscreen-y, and the only true drawback is that the very fine mist catches every bit of peach fuzz you might have on your face (eyebrows too). Makeup isn’t disturbed by it at all. Nevertheless I think one to two applications are the most you can go with it before feeling like a grease ball. As with nearly all things: you can’t re-apply indefinitely.

Physicians Formula Super CC Powder

But, despair not! I found another product to layer over my trusty spray that will slightly boost the sun protection and also minimise any shininess: Physicians Formula CC Powder SPF 30.

Short advice on base products with SPF

Michelle (aka Labmuffin) posted an awesome cheat sheet about sun protection in base products:

On their own, their SPF is ridiculously low, because you can’t apply the needed amount with a tinted base. (I mean, try it. Try to apply 1,5gr of foundation or mineral powder. And post pics. I dare you!!!)

Filters

The sunscreen filters in this are solely mineral:

• Titanium Dioxide
• Zinc Oxide.

Shades

The powder is tinted and its coverage is rather medium (to my surprise): the light/medium matches my fair skin (NC15-20) quite well right now. Which is a disgrace: it only comes in two shades, and my shade is the darker one?!??!??!?!?! How is that even possible these days?

(Possible alternatives are Isdin, Ilia or Supergoop sunscreen powders that I haven’t swatched or tested, so I can’t say how their shades are. Supergoop’s the only one with four shades, though, while the two other ones are translucent.)

It comes with a little travel brush, but I use my portable Hakuhodo one instead.

Application

I swirl and apply over makeup/sunscreen spray when I feel that either patches of my makeup have worn away (excellent for those patches at my cheekbones where my sunglasses sit and rub away my base no matter what).

I ALSO enjoyed it just over sunscreen when I went to the beach or the pool and wanted my skin to look a bit more evened out. The powder was great for that – although I don’t have any delusions that it did more than boosting my initial sun protection a bit.

Layering sunscreen?!

I found that a combo of sunscreen spray and CC Powder did boost my initial SPF and didn’t make my makeup look rank. Both products, especially in combination, were great when I couldn’t reapply sunscreen over my makeup, because I was out all day in the sun. (Btw? A hat or a parasol are ALSO great for that.) I felt both used in combination gave me maybe three to four hours more of sun protection, which is especially great on city trips when you’re out exploring.

Word of warning: it didn’t achieve a ‘flawless’ makeup look and it had the tendency to look cakey. That’s just what happens when you apply a lot of sunscreen layers and powder on top (and sweat). I didn’t found it that noticeable in person.

Please note that this review is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods, or money, for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.