Amazingy Guides: Sunscreen vs. Moisturizer with SPF

by Juul Huizinga
May 21, 2020
in Amazingy Guides, Beauty, Knowledge, Skin Care
0

Since we are heading towards the end of May and the sun has already been around for a bit, the time has come to get our sunscreens out and be ready to face the spring sun rays. That brings up an important question: what do you pay attention to when choosing a sunscreen for your face? Would you go for a moisturizer with SPF, or rather a ‘real’ sunscreen for the face? Not many people know that there are actually many differences between the two. Some think that you can use both for the same purpose, but this is a big misunderstanding.

So, what’s the difference?

Well, for starters, a moisturizer is meant for daily use. It’s goal is to nourish the skin and protect it from free radicals. And an extra plus for some moisturizers is the fact that they contain SPF, which protects your skin from UV radiance on a daily basis.

Sunscreen, on the other hand, is not necessarily there to nourish your skin, but to prevent sunburn and to protect your skin from UV radiance. You can use sunscreen all over your body, but some are specifically meant for the face; the skin on your face is thinner than the skin on the rest of your body, therefore it is more sensitive to UV radiance and needs more protection. Moreover, the skin on your face can also be more sensitive to thicker creams or certain ingredients that most body sunscreen products contain. Sunscreens often feel more sticky when applied than SPF moisturizers because they contain more waxes. These waxes make a sunscreen more water-resistant (and sweat-proof) than a typical moisturizer, whereas moisturizers contain more oils that help to penetrate the skin with nourishment.

Which offers better protection?

With regards to UV ray filters, sunscreen and moisturizers with SPF often contain the same types. When it comes to natural products, they usually contain zinc oxide & titanium dioxide. These two ingredients rest on the skin and act as tiny mirrors, reflecting harmful UV rays away from the skin. Typical SPF filters burn up and therefore must be reapplied regularly, especially after and while being exposed to light & air.

Application is key!

Another major difference is not a chemical difference between moisturizers & sunscreens, but rather about the psychological difference in how we apply each of them onto our skin. People tend to rub an actual sunscreen in better than they do an SPF moisturizer¹. One of the reasons for this could be the fact that sunscreen feels more sticky than a moisturizer; you also sometimes get a white cast over your face if you don’t rub in a sunscreen sufficiently. Another thing people often forget is to rub the product into their eyelids properly. They tend to leave their eyelids unprotected when using solely a moisturizer with SPF, for example².

In conclusion…

A moisturizer with SPF is a great way to protect your skin on a daily basis – but of course, sunscreen offers more protection and is highly recommended when sunbathing or if you plan on being out in the sun all day. But for your usual day-to-day – if you’re only heading out for grocery shopping or going to the office – a moisturizer with SPF is a great solution.