It’s common knowledge that human skin needs to be protected from the sun’s UV rays when going outside for an extended period of time. It’s also common knowledge that this job is best done with sunscreen, applied every couple of hours while in direct sunlight. But what happens if you’re already wearing oil control moisturizer SPF?
While providing ample hydration to the skin, the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) element of moisturizers of this type is said to provide an effective barrier against UV sun damage, with most brands offering up to SPF30 protection.
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What SPF 30 Actually Means?
When trying to discover whether adequate protection is provided by your oil control moisturizer SPF, it’s necessary to understand what SPF means in real terms. For those of you who don’t know already, it equates to the time it takes for the skin to burn with it on.
Each SPF point equals 10 minutes in the sun, so it would take 30 x 10 minutes for you to burn, however, you shouldn’t be gauging things on how long it takes for your skin to burn. That’s because much sun damage can occur without the skin being burnt.
As such, the usual re-application every 2 hours applies.
Some Experts Say to use Separate Products
To some, this is something of a contentious subject, as there are some experts out there that espouse the idea of using a separate moisturizer and sunscreen. That’s because they essentially do different things, meaning that the sun protection they provide can be diluted by other ingredients.
That said, to be able to say that a product such as oil control moisturizer SPF offers a set amount of protection, it has to pass FDA regulations – so, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t offer the protection levels shown on the bottle.
So, Are SPF-rated Oil Control Moisturizers Any Good?
As with any type of skincare product, the answer to this question depends very much on the person involved, as to follow the 2-hourly reapplication process might not be ideal with an SPF moisturizer that is absorbed into the skin.
It’s certainly better to use a product like this to protect you from the sun’s rays than wearing nothing, but it would seem that in some circumstances, separate products might be a more favorable option. Sure, if you prefer to apply moisturizer this often on its own, it might work for you. Otherwise, it might not.
Wear Oil Control Moisturizer SPF In the Sun – If It Suits You
It would be true to say that there are way too many variables at play to give a definitive answer to the question of whether or not to rely solely on SPF-rated moisturizers. There absolutely seems to be some wisdom to wearing separate products if you’re out for hours on end, down at the beach.
However, if you’re wearing it as part of your daily routine – when you otherwise might not wear sunscreen anyway – then it’s a good option that will protect your skin from premature aging, wrinkles and melanoma. Just do what’s right for you and your circumstances.
It really is down to you which way you go on this one, but you should certainly use sense and let the circumstances dictate things. Would you wear an SPF-rated moisturizer over sunscreen for a day at the beach? Probably not. Would it be applicable for your day to day commute – maybe.
It’s just a call you have to make yourself.
