Does SPF makeup provide enough protection from the sun? Here's what experts say

More and more makeup products contain sun protection. But are they enough to provide adequate protection?

Summer means sunscreen. This gesture has become a reflex for many French people. And that's a good thing, since applying sunscreen (ideally every day, yes, even when the weather isn't nice) is essential to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. We know that the majority of skin cancers are caused by excessive exposure to UV rays.

Makeup manufacturers have understood this well, and are increasingly including sun protection factors, some of which are more or less significant. They are now found in foundations, powders, BB creams, and even blushes. People buy these products thinking that they will protect them from the sun, and that there will therefore be no need to apply sunscreen. But is this really the case?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. "The SPF in your makeup doesn't provide enough protection," says Dr. Joyce Park, a dermatologist better known as " teawithmd " on social media. The problem isn't the product itself, but rather the amount applied.

Makeup products "are generally applied in small quantities, only once a day, which does not provide sufficient protection against ultraviolet (UV) rays," Dr. Mathilde Combel, pharmacist, reminded in Le Moniteur des pharmacies . The level of protection displayed on the products is only provided if it is applied in a sufficient quantity, which does not correspond to the quantity generally used for makeup. Also, makeup is not always applied to certain often forgotten areas such as the ears, neck and eyelids, which nevertheless must be protected.

For a sunscreen product to be "fully effective," it "requires the application of a sufficient quantity and reapplication during the day," reminds ANSES (French National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety). The agency therefore believes that makeup products containing a sun protection factor "can cause confusion regarding their level of protection against the risks associated with UV exposure."

Of course, they shouldn't be avoided. They should only be considered a "bonus" to sunscreen applied under makeup. To stay protected all day long, there are sun mists that can be applied over makeup. Generally speaking, sunscreen is not enough during the hottest hours when UV rays are high: you must then avoid the sun, seek shade or wear covering clothing to be truly protected.