I know that you’re in a dilemma about your daily grooming quirks, “Can we use sunscreen without moisturizer or lotion”.
Trust me it is a very valid question that comes to mind! I’m going to address here with well-detailed explanations. A lot of people feel that using sunscreen with lotion makes it thick on the skin, and of course, everyone hates that. In simple words -
Today we have a huge variety of sunscreen that has inherent moisturizing components present which not only gives you protection from the harmful rays, also ensures to give you natural moisture to the skin, thus sunscreen can alone stand as your grooming product.
Now, for the ones who are keenly interested in the working of sunscreen and moisturizers on your skin, I’ll be addressing all of the questions that come to your mind!
Firstly,
Table of Contents
What is sunscreen? And how does Sunscreen help?
Sunscreen has become the main part of the grooming kit, which has SPF (Sun Protection Factor) present, protecting us from harmful rays of the sun.
Pardon me for being technical with terms! Global warming leads to non-judicial depletion of the ozone layer, which allows the harmful rays to penetrate to the earth’s surface.
These rays, when falls on human skin, cause certain problems like irritation, burns, and even skin cancer in extreme cases.
Keeping this in mind, we can easily understand, how crucial it is to apply sunscreen. Next comes,
Can we use sunscreen without Moisturizer or Lotion?
I’ve been in contact with my friend who’s a well-established dermatologist. She told me that Yes, sunscreen is much more important than a lotion cause today. Applying it is not just about grooming but it is now a part of our medicated care of your skin.
So, we can avoid lotions, but skipping sunscreen can be really bad for you if in case you’re in constant exposure to sun and light.
Thus, if you’re working, going to school, college, you must protect yourself with layers of moisturizing sunscreen.
But, to avoiding the use of a moisturizer lotion on the skin, keep in mind that you do just go with any product in the market, cause our skin requires a certain kind of pampering which not all sunscreens can give.
Which Sunscreen to Use For Skin?
If you’re looking to buy sunscreen, then make sure that you consider these factors.
SPF Factor
The Sun Protection Factor or SFP referring to the extent of protection a sunscreen can give you, buy one which has at least 20 SPF to 40 SPF if you’re living in hot and humid conditions like India.
Skin Type
Different skin types demands for different components in grooming product, so keep a check that you get a sunscreen that can give you a stick-free matte finish on your skin and is comfortable to apply.
Moisturization
If you’re planning to go solely with sunscreen, then it is important that your best sunscreen has moisturizing capabilities as well so that it doesn’t get dry and white.
Now, what comes to our mind, that if we avoid lotion, what about the moisturization of your skin?
This needs to be addressed, if we only use sunscreen in our grooming regime then there will be a lack of moisture in the skin.
BUT, truth is, there are lots of sunscreens that have moisturizing capabilities as well giving your skin supple and glow to your face.
But choosing the best sunscreen is a must even for that. A perfect blend of top quality moisturizing constituents with an adequate amount of SPF is required. Next,
What is the best SPF in sunscreens?
If we’re talking specifically of a country with hot and humid conditions like India. SPF lower than that of 20 is not worth it.
For sunscreen to work perfectly for your skin, Sunscreens should have sun protection factors from 20-40 SPF.
It can help in the effective protection of the top layer of skin which is exposed to the sunlight.
Likewise to this question, people also think that what if we apply moisturizer alone with no sunscreen?
Can we use a moisturizer with SPF without sunscreen?
To answer this, I won’t reply in binary - YES or NO.
Answer - We can apply a moisturizer alone which has sun protection factors. Always keep in mind that the amount of SPF present.
Having a moisturizer with SPF (20-40) can do the work for you. As it can give you the required moisturize to your skin and also provides you with a protective layer against sun-harmful UAV And UVB rays.
There are a number of diseases that are associated with exposure to harmful rays of the sun.
Cancerous and pre-cancerous cells get activated, discoloring of the skin, aging, fine lines, and wrinkles are all related to the prolonged exposure to the harmful sun rays.
Commonly, people do use a lotion or a moisturizer together on their skin before they move out, but they don’t know how they apply it.
Should we apply sunscreen before or after moisturizer?
To all those who’re applying lotion or moisturizer with sunscreen. You must get the best of both of these components completely, they should be applied separately.
If you’re applying sunscreen and lotion on the skin together, then sunscreen gets the upper hand. Thus needs to be applied first so that it is closest to your skin.
But keep in mind, that applying a moisturizer with that won’t work to its full potential.
Some smart people (pun intended) think of mixing both of them and then using it on the skin, lemme give you an insight over that.
Can we mix sunscreen with moisturizer lotion?
In order to get the maximum benefits of sunscreen and lotion moisturizer, this approach backfires.
Mixing sunscreen with moisturizer or lotion leads to thinning of the sunscreen, which kills its composition which lowers down its SPF factor.
Added, any cosmetic product is formulated with a number of experiments and researches, thus mixing sunscreen with moisturizer can lead to destructing its sun rays blocking capacity.
On a short note,
Mixing sunscreen with moisturizer or lotion is a flop idea as it completely destructs the composition and also compromises the natural sun rays filtering process.
If you’re having oily skin, and willing to use both of them together. Then, no matter how much non-sticky moisturizer and sunscreen you buy, combining both of them can make it thick on your skin. Thus, it is uncomfortable to use.
My advice for oily skin people would be to use, lotion or moisturizer with SPF protection that can provide you both - softness and protection from harmful rays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why sunscreens are always oily on the skin?
Yes, most of the sunscreens may be for oily, normal, and dry skin, indeed tend to be sticky on our skin.
But the main reason is that the main component present in sunscreen helps in forming a protective layer against UAV and UVB lights are naturally oily.
Although, the amount of moisturization present may vary depending on the type of skin a specific sunscreen is made for.
Note - You can also read about ” why is my sunscreen oily ” for reference which comes in mind when you step out and feel thick around your skin.
Which is the best sunscreen in India?
| Sunscreen | Check Best Price | SPF | Skin Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lotus Herbals Safe Sun 3-In-1 | Check Best Price | 40 | Oily |
| Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock | Check Best Price | 50+ | Oily |
| Aroma Magic Cucumber Sun Screen | Check Best Price | 30 | Oily |
| L'Oreal Paris UV Perfect Aqua Essence | Check Best Price | 50 | Oily |
| Z-Block 25% Zinc Oxide | Check Best Price | 58 | Oily |
| Himalaya Herbals Protective Sunscreen | Check Best Price | 15 | Dry |
| Kaya Clinic Daily Moisturizing | Check Best Price | 30 | Dry |
| Lakmé Sun Expert SPF 30 PA++ | Check Best Price | 30 | Dry |
| Biotique Bio Carrot Face & Body Sun Lotion | Check Best Price | Dry |
Sunscreen For Oily Skin
Sunscreen For Dry Skin
Himalaya Herbal Protective Sunscreen
Sunscreen For Normal Skin
Sunscreen For Acne-Prone Skin
Where Should you apply sunscreen?
It is a very important point that people should know, sunscreens are not just meant for your face and limbs. They’re meant to cover every single inch of the body that is exposed to the sunlight.
People often miss places like the neck and back part of the heels, behind ears, and others. Yes, these places are equally exposed to sunlight, thus need to be covered with a sun protective layer.
Editors Note - Can we use sunscreen without lotion?
I would say that using sunscreen alone with moisturizer or lotion is totally justified. This happens only if your sunscreen comes with moisturizing components.
Having said that, we also need to agree that both of them have different purposes, thus none of them can completely replace the impact that both have.
Mixing up the sunscreen with moisturizing lotion is not a very great idea. This can cause it to adulterates the personal agenda of both.
The best combination would be to apply a thin layer of sunscreen (20-40 SPF) on the skin. After that applying the moisturizing lotion over it.
Always consider the best sunscreen available for your skin that has added natural constituents. It provides you with a natural glow and of course protection from the harmful rays of the sun.
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1 Comment
Chandan. N
August 25, 2021 - 4:36 amReally great information but i would like to use the products which are toxic chemical free