Beauty

Everything you do wrong with your SPF

By
Sunscreen

Okay, I have to confess: until a year ago, I never applied sunscreen on my face. I didn't see the point, especially not here in the Netherlands where the sun only starts to shine when summer is almost over. I only made an exception for a beach day, not knowing that your skin is also exposed to UV rays when the sky looks gray and dull.

My turning point came when I was lying in the chair at the beautician's and for the umpteenth time was complaining about my acne. She asked me which products I was using. Her reaction was, and I quote: ‘You’re not telling me that you don’t apply sunscreen every day.’ Half an hour later (and thirty euros poorer), I walked out with my first bottle of SPF. A factor 50 no less. Fine, I thought. A pump every morning and I’ll look just as good as J.Lo when I’m fifty. But to actually look as wrinkle-free as she does, applying sunscreen requires a bit more precision than you might think. So, from me to you: the 6 no-go’s of an SPF.

1. Mixing with foundation
Very tempting to do this and I won't deny that I've never done it, but save yourself the trouble. What happens is that when you mix both products, the SPF loses its function.

2. One pump
As I said: with two fingertip amounts of sunscreen, you unfortunately won't get through the day. Two full fingers with SPF (also known as thirteen dots) are only sufficient to prep your skin for the sun. So don’t be stingy.

3. Only your face
Please also include your neck, throat, lips, and hands. Your hands age faster than the rest of your body. So make sure they don’t give away your age.

4. Makeup with SPF
Sure, a foundation or tinted moisturizer that already contains SPF can’t hurt. But it’s far from enough to prevent those wrinkles. You’ll really need to apply an extra layer of sunscreen beforehand.

5. Expired
Just like with makeup, sunscreen doesn’t last forever; a maximum of 12 months. So check the expiration date in advance, as this often varies. Otherwise, the protection factor decreases and it loses its effectiveness.