How Often to Reapply Sunscreen with Makeup On [DermTV.com Epi #228]



I'm happy to say that many viewers have heard the message and the advice of the importance of frequently reapplying sunscreen. Some women have asked though, if I'm wearing make-up on top of my sunscreen and you're telling me to reapply my sunscreen as often as you are, does that mean I have to change my make-up each time because that's a real hassle. There are too very important factors involved in getting the full protection of the rated SPF of any sunscreen. First of course, you need to apply your sunscreen before any other skincare product, including make-up and second is the important, as I mentioned, of frequent reapplication of sunscreen after swimming, after sweating, or even just every three or four hours while you're sitting under a tree reading because you're still experiencing insensible perspiration where the rate of perspiration is equal to the rate of evaporation so you don't feel the sweat accumulating but you're still sweating off your sunscreen. So every time you swim, every time you sweat, and every three or four hours, it's necessary to reapply your sunscreen. But if these activities are washing off your sunscreen then you can also be sure that they are washing off the make-up that is on top of your sunscreen and if the make-up is gone then there's no problem in reapplying your sunscreen and reapplying your make-up. But if these activities aren't removing your make-up and your make-up stays intact and you still have a full face of make-up then there's a very good chance that the sunscreen underneath hasn't been removed, hasn't been washed off and in that case then you don't need to reapply your sunscreen or you're make-up.