Skin Care
Does Layering Sunscreens Improve Solar Safety?
Mar
In the event you use a moisturiser with SPF 20, a sunscreen with SPF 30, and a basis with SPF 15, what SPF do you get?
30 + 20 + 15 = 30.
Wait, what? Shouldn’t or not it’s SPF 65? Not fairly.
SPF math isn’t like common math. You’ll be able to’t simply add up all of the numbers and anticipate superhero-level solar safety. Right here’s why:
Does Layering Sunscreens Improve Solar Safety?
Brief reply: No. However there’s extra to the story.
Layering sunscreens will NOT provide you with added SPF safety.
It’s a typical false impression, and actually, it is smart why folks imagine it. We’re used to pondering that extra layers = extra safety. In the event you put on two sweaters, you keep hotter. In the event you apply two coats of nail polish, you get a extra opaque shade. However SPF doesn’t work like that.
Within the phrases of Mona Gohara, a dermatologist and an affiliate medical professor of dermatology at Yale College, “SPF isn’t an equation. Your solar safety is just as robust as your highest SPF.”
Within the instance above, the very best SPF is that of your sunscreen, SPF 30. That’s what you’re getting. It doesn’t matter what else you apply, that quantity received’t go up.
Why? Sunscreen works by limiting the variety of UV rays that hit your pores and skin.
- SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays (those that trigger sunburn).
- SPF 50 blocks 98% (not an enormous distinction, proper?).
- SPF 15 solely blocks 93%, which implies much more UV rays are nonetheless getting by way of.
- Even SPF 100 isn’t good. It nonetheless lets 1% of rays by way of.
Discover how the distinction between SPF 30 and SPF 50 is just one%? That’s why sunscreen layering doesn’t provide you with a magic increase in SPF—it’s all about how a lot truly will get absorbed by your pores and skin.
Cease losing your money and time on stuff that doesn’t work. Click on on the picture beneath to obtain “Skincare That Works” and at last get your greatest pores and skin day – daily.
How SPF Layering Works in Actual Life
Let’s see what this implies in sensible phrases utilizing the instance beneath.
Your basis has SPF 15. That enables 7% of UV rays to achieve (and hurt) the pores and skin. However you’ve realized a moisturiser with SPF 20 beneath. That enables solely 5% of UV rays to achieve the pores and skin. 2% of the rays that made it by way of your basis are actually neutralised by your moisturiser.
However you’ve gotten a 3rd layer on. Your sunscreen with SPF 30 solely lets 3% rays by way of, neutralising an additional 2% that made it previous your basis and moisturiser with SPF.
The upper the SPF, the less % of UV rays attain the pores and skin. Sadly, no sunscreen blocks 100% of them. Even SPF 100 nonetheless lets 1% by way of.
If utilized appropriately, that’s…
Associated: Take A Quantity: What Stage Of SPF Is Proper For You?
How efficient is your sunscreen? Signal as much as the publication beneath to obtain the “Sunscreen Audit” Worksheet and discover out in case your sunscreen is basically as much as the job:
Is Layering Sunscreens Ineffective?
Layering merchandise with SPF won’t add up SPF, however it could enhance your general protection.
That is the place layering can be useful. Regardless that it doesn’t increase your SPF degree, it could possibly provide help to cowl areas you might need missed the primary time round.
Let’s say you’re in a rush and making use of sunscreen rapidly. It’s simple to overlook a spot or two. These spots don’t have any safety and are honest recreation for UV rays.
However should you slather on a second SPF product, you’ve gotten extra probabilities of overlaying each little nook and cranny.
I personally don’t do that as a result of I’m very diligent with sunscreen utility, however should you assume you want it, go forward.
WARNING! In the event you don’t apply the beneficial quantity (1/4 of a teaspoon for the face alone), you might get higher protection, however you received’t get the SPF acknowledged on the label.
Associated: Are You Making use of Sunscreen The Proper Method?
The Drawback With Layering Sunscreen
In the event you resolve to layer sunscreens to get that further little bit of solar safety, watch out.
Not all UV filters work effectively collectively. Some can deactivate one another and compromise the extent of safety you’re getting.
That is the place it will get difficult. Sunscreen formulation are rigorously designed to steadiness totally different UV filters in a means that makes them steady and efficient. However should you begin mixing totally different manufacturers and sorts of sunscreens, you could possibly be messing with that steadiness with out even realizing it.
Particularly, beware of blending Avobenzone with Octinoxate, Zinc Oxide, and Titanium Dioxide.
In the event you’ve simply checked the label of your fave sunscreen and observed it incorporates just a few of those (for instance, Avobenzone and Octinoxate), don’t throw it within the bin but!
Beauty chemists know all types of methods to make UV filters get alongside. For instance, by coating them so that they provide the greatest safety with out getting too shut to one another.
It’s whenever you use separate merchandise that had been by no means meant to be combined collectively that you could be get in hassle.
One other situation? Totally different sunscreens have totally different textures and finishes. In the event you layer a thick, occlusive sunscreen below a light-weight gel components, it would capsule or rub off. Worse, in case your first layer is just too greasy, the second layer may not adhere correctly, that means you’re getting much less safety than you thought.
How To Layer Sunscreens The Proper Method
I’m not a fan of utilizing totally different sunscreens. It might assist, however until you realize extra in regards to the formulations and the way UV filters work together with each other, you might cut back – moderately than enhance – solar safety. Ouch!
However should you nonetheless wish to do it, right here’s do it proper:
- Reapply the identical sunscreen twice: You continue to get the identical degree of SPF, cowl each nook and cranny, and run no danger of deactivating UV filters.
- Use two sunscreens with the identical (or related) UV filters: You’ll nonetheless get the very best SPF degree of the 2, higher protection, and a a lot decrease danger of something deactivating UV filters.
And most significantly, apply sufficient.
- 1/4 teaspoon of sunscreen in your face.
- 1 shot glass of sunscreen in your physique.
- Reapply each 2 hours.
It doesn’t matter how costly or fancy your sunscreen is, should you’re not making use of sufficient, you’re not getting the total SPF on the label. Interval.
The Backside Line
SPF works by limiting the quantity of UV rays that truly attain your pores and skin. Layering sunscreens and merchandise with SPF received’t provide you with a better SPF. However it could provide you with higher protection.
About Gio
Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that will help you obtain your greatest pores and skin day ever – daily. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising jargon that will help you work out what’s definitely worth the splurge and what’s greatest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally supply skincare consultations that will help you create the most effective skincare routine in your distinctive wants.