Moisturizer or Sunscreen?

The number of products claiming to protect your skin from the sun can make your head spin.

But which product is best for preventing wrinkles and skin cancer?

To find your answer, you need to understand what these products actually are and what they do.

Standard Moisturizers, Foundations, and Makeup

Moisturizers without SPF indication on the bottle offer zero sun protection. Pretty straightforward, I’d say. Same goes for foundations and makeup: if it doesn’t list an SPF factor on the bottle, then it isn’t protecting your skin from UV rays.

Sunscreens

Let me be clear, if the product indicates an SPF, then you are getting some protection against UV rays… assuming you’re applying the product correctly (more on that later).

Classic sunscreens are formulated for days when you’re planning to be in the sun for an extended period of time: the beach, hiking, swimming, and so on. Therefore, these products are designed with water resistance in mind. The chemicals that make them water resistant can be an issue for some skin types, especially sensitive skin. They also tend to be on the greasier side which can make them uncomfortable to wear everyday and difficult under makeup.

Moisturizers with SPF

These products are typically designed for everyday use making them functional underneath makeup and on top of other products. Not suitable for a long desert hike, they’re designed to provide UV protection during daily activities like commuting, sitting by the window, getting coffee and other daily moments.

Do you really need UV protection during brief daily activities? 100%, yes. Research has shown these short UV exposures (like walking to your car) compound and become the biggest cause of premature skin aging and increased risk of cancer.

Moisturizers with SPF are meant to be worn every day. They’re designed to be part of your routine, rain or shine. They can also include added ingredients like antioxidants, vitamins, and red algae to improve your skin health and minimize free radical damage caused by pesky UV rays that manage to make it into your skin.

TL;DR

Every day, at a minimum, you should wear a moisturizer with Broad Spectrum SPF 30 protection. If you’re going to be outside for an extended period of time, add an active sunscreen.

And for the love of all that shines in the sky, apply these products properly. The SPF listed on the bottle is only giving you that much protection if you apply it properly. It needs to be applied all over your face and liberally. Skimping with your SPF will give you much less protection than what’s listed on the bottle. Use it every day and lay it on thick for the best protection against UV damage.

Amir Nobakht MD

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