How to wear SPF under your makeup

We know, we know, the thought of wearing an SPF under your makeup conjures up all manner of horror stories. Greasy skin, spot break-outs, and your mascara sliding off your face come 10 am. Sound familiar? While all valid concerns, we're glad to tell you that they're all, in fact, totally avoidable. You just need to find the right SPF!

Protecting your skin from UV rays, pollution, environmental aggressors, and even blue light from your digital devices is vital for healthy skin. Without it, we're leaving our complexion open to premature ageing, pigmentation, dullness, and skin sensitivities (to name a few). But, before you break out the family SPF, there's a breed of need-to-know formulas and techniques that are here to transform your sun care regime.

From creams and sprays to powders and sticks, there's a whole host of SPF options to use under your makeup. Choosing the right one will largely depend on your skin type and what fits in best with your lifestyle. For example, a spray is a great option for those who want to top up their sun protection throughout the day over their makeup, whereas powders may be best for those with oilier skin. “Yes, you should choose your SPF based on your skin type,” says top facialist Renee Lapino. “That said, if you’re going to be outside re-applying frequently, then I would choose a clear spray over a powder, or if you use a powder because your skin is oily, then I would choose a powder-only formulation to consistently apply. If your skin is dry or dehydrated, then I would apply a cream under your makeup, and then use a clear spray on top.”

Renee’s top tip? Use an everyday facial SPF as the last step of your skincare routine, before applying your makeup. “You don't need to wait for it to sink in, you can apply your base makeup straight away. If your skin looks a little shiny, you can use a mattifying primer after the SPF or a translucent powder after applying your makeup to take any sheen away,” Renee says. “For those worried about congestion, wearing SPF under makeup doesn't cause congestion. It could be an ingredient in the formula, so I'd recommend trying a different sun cream if that's the case.”

Not sure which to choose? “I like to choose a sunscreen with antioxidants present,” Renee admits. “This will help to protect you from free radical damage while also shielding the surface of your skin.” With hibiscus extract, an antioxidant that stops free radicals from causing inflammation and damage, our Sun Day facial UV defence ticks all the boxes. Or, if you'd prefer to skip the foundation altogether, our Skin Shade tinted facial sun cream has all the protective benefits of a mineral SPF with light coverage, giving you a flawless base.