Do You Need To Wear Sunscreen If Your Foundation Has SPF?

The answer: if you want sufficient UV sun protection, yes, always wear sunscreen. As great as it is to have SPF included in makeup, it doesn’t mean you can tick applying sunscreen off your daily skincare to-do list, especially if you’re spending long periods outside. The amount of SPF included in foundations, primers, tinted moisturisers and other makeup products is often quite low, and shouldn’t be your only form of sun protection. The Cancer Council recommends using a broad spectrum sunscreen (one that offers protection from both UVA and UVB rays) and applying 5ml (approximately one teaspoon) to your face (including neck and ears) 20 minutes before exposure. Any SPF in your makeup is great to have, but it’s not something to rely on solely for sun protection, so always apply a broad spectrum sunscreen, like Ultra Violette’s Queen Screen SPF50+, as the last step in your skincare routine. 

*Tip: Wait a minute or two before you start your makeup application to make sure your SPF has time to absorb properly.