Love the sun? That’s awesome! But does the sun love you back?
I’m guessing that if you’re reading this article you’re already convinced about the importance of sunscreen and how it protects you from sun damage. But knowing is one thing, and actually using it like it’s meant to be, is another.
I’ve been reluctant to include sunscreen in a daily skincare regimen for most of my life. Not because I doubted its usefulness, but because it’s difficult to find a sunscreen that is friendly to oily skin, sits well on my face, and does not create a host of other problems.
Such as: making me sweat, making me super greasy, leaving a white cast on my face, making me break out, and melting the makeup away.
Even when I have found a decent product, it has not been easy for me to incorporate it into my skincare routine. If I use it as is, I find it can single-handedly ruin my makeup. Even when I don’t apply makeup, sunscreen makes me look like a glazed doughnut.
I suspect I’m not alone in this. For those with oily skin, and especially in high humidity, how on earth are you supposed to make an inherently greasy product work for you?
Luckily, I have, over time, learned some useful ways in which to make this stick (no pun intended!).
Here are all the sunscreens that I own at the moment.
a good sunscreen formula that ticks all the boxes for you.
My favourite sunscreens
This is my absolute favourite sunscreen ever! And it would be my top recommendation for those with oily skin who also live in relatively hot and humid places. (Unfortunately I discovered this product pretty late in life.)
The reasons I love it is because it meets all the promises it makes. It is actually sweat- and humidity-resistant. It will not grease you up at all; in fact, it will provide an absorbent layer that keeps your skin looking matte. Which, by the way, also makes it an excellent primer.
This is the kind of sunscreen you want to be wearing under makeup. This is the kind of sunscreen you want to be wearing with or without makeup.
There are zero compromises here. The only con is that I had purchased this in India and I don’t know if it is shipped internationally. (This information wasn’t easy to find on their website.) Re’equil makers, if you are reading this – please start shipping worldwide!
This formula is available in a variety of forms – lotions, pumps, sprays, and tubes. You choose what is convenient for you. It claims to be sweat and water-resistant, which it is.
It is not non-greasy, however. But the grease isn’t too overpowering if you follow it up with a light dusting of translucent or baby powder. I have used makeup on top of it and it all tended to stay in place. You will need to powder your t-zone from time to time though.
Overall, a reliable sunscreen that is somewhat easy to work with.
3. La Roche Posay Anthelios XL Dry Touch Tinted Facial Sunscreen
Tinted sunscreens can be a hit or a miss. For instance, the Daywear BB Cream Tinted SPF 50+ by Cancer Council just did not sit right on my face. The tint was too dark and the formula very greasy. A tinted greasy BB cream is a no-no.
But the Anthelios XL sunscreen mostly works for me. Or rather, I’ve found a way to work around its flaws.
What I really like about it is that the tint isn’t too light and that it really does provide a dry matte finish. This sunscreen looks like a foundation. When applied fresh it is great but tends to grease up as the day goes on, and then it’s not a pretty sight.
The tint also might not work on very dark-skinned people, since this is the only shade it’s available in (to the best of my knowledge).
My main problem with tinted sunscreens is that they are difficult to reapply. (Also, keep in mind that you must apply a particular amount of SPF to your face to get all the benefits. If you apply a teaspoon-worth of tinted sunscreen on top of a shiny face already bearing a teaspoon-worth of tinted sunscreen, it can all start to look pretty messy pretty fast.)
But if you don’t mind the tint, and can work to control the grease, this sunscreen is a good product to have.
Top tips for making sunscreen work
With the exception of Re’equil, I’ve always had to make sunscreens work for me. If you find a formula that you can just apply and not have to worry about at all, you’re lucky – please keep it! Otherwise, sunscreens are hard work.
- Look for a dry matte finish
2. Look for a sweat- and humidity-resistant formula. Most sunscreens labeled “active” or “sports” would be worth considering.
3. During hot and humid weather, wear only sunscreen as your topmost layer (i.e. no makeup on top). Let the sunscreen sit on your face for a few minutes and follow up with a baby powder or a compact powder (translucent or tinted, it’s your preference) to set it in place.
This will have the dual benefit of absorbing oil as well as keeping sweat at bay. Will work for a while in humid weather, and longer on drier and cooler days.
Not having makeup on top will help with the reapplication of sunscreen (depending on the season and UV index).
4. As part of makeup, it’s better to use a moisturiser with SPF than to add an extra layer of sunscreen. Olay Regenerist Whip SPF 30 is an excellent option. Neutrogena Hydro Boost City Shield (SPF 25) is another one.
Both are lightweight, but I feel the Olay product is more suited for cooler/drier weather and Neutrogena for warmer weather.
Do add a layer of setting powder once the SPF has been applied. Wait for a while and follow up with a concealer/foundation/base makeup.
What are some of your favourite sunscreens and why? What are the challenges you face with sunscreens and what do you do about that? Let me know in the comments below.
