Besides sunscreen, many makeup products today such as primers, foundations, and moisturisers have sun protection factor (SPF) labels, which means that they also protect from damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. Hence, it’s not surprising that using SPF-infused makeup products sounds, to many of us, like a good enough reason to swap out our sunscreens. After all, it means cutting down on one step in our daily morning skincare routine.
What we might not realise is that makeup products have lower levels of SPF than sunscreen: a foundation with SPF 30 does not provide the same level of protection as a sunscreen with an SPF 30 label. That’s because, mixed into the foundation, the foundation has a lower concentration of SPF than just sunscreen. Under Malaysia’s relentless sunshine, we definitely need the highest levels of SPF that sunscreen can offer.
Sunscreen beats SPF-infused foundation, beauty blogger shows
Find it hard to believe? Beauty blogger Xia Mu Yao (夏目瑶) makes her case for giving sunscreen its place in skincare, and she uses UV cameras so that you can see it to believe it.
She first pumps a foundation infused with SPF on her hand. Lifting her arm, she shows that the foundation appears a light grey on the UV camera, which means that it provides some UV protection.
She continues to apply the foundation onto her face. The UV camera reveals a lightening grey colour that shows the product is giving less UV protection now as it spreads out into a thinner layer on her skin (darker colour is evidence for more UV protection, whilst lighter less).
Switching to sunscreen, she repeats the same steps on the other half of her face. On the first swipe, the sunscreen already looks a much darker grey than the foundation. Even as she smooths out the sunscreen across her face, the product appears the same (dark) shade of grey as it did at the start.
You would have to slather on a lot more SPF-infused foundation than sunscreen just to achieve a similar level of UV protection, is what beauty blogger Xia Mu Yao (夏目瑶) shows us. Instead, leaving sunscreen in – or if you haven’t already done so, adding sunscreen to – your everyday makeup routine is the best way to keep your skin healthy and happy under the sun. That said, makeup products that include SPF are a great way to complement your sunscreen as they give you an extra buffer against harmful ultraviolet rays!
Best SPF sunscreen for Malaysia’s sunny seasons
To help you get a headstart on supple and youthful skin, Daily Vanity shares three sunscreen products with high SPF levels that you can find in Malaysia:
Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk SPF 50+ PA++++
Sunscreens can prove to be a bit of a hassle especially when you have to worry about your skin coming in contact with water or sweat. Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk, however, uses a specially formulated ‘golden milk’ to ensure strong resistance to water and sweat. A super-waterproof sunscreen, it allows you to enjoy carefree fun in the sun all day long!
Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk retails at RM49.68. Get your hands on this product at these shops in Malaysia:
Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++
Whilst certain sunscreen products might feel oily and thick on the skin, Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence is absorbed quickly into the skin upon application, leaving no trace of oil or residue. Made with ingredients including Butylene Glycol and Hyaluronic acid, your skin is left feeling hydrated, light, and supple – the perfect start to your day!
Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence retails for RM29.75. Shop this sunscreen here:
FANCL Sunguard 50+ Protect UV SPF50+ PA++++
Japanese brand FANCL’s sunscreen not only shields your skin from ultraviolet rays, it also protects it from blue light that can cause skin pigmentation. For those spending lengthy periods looking at the laptop, phone, or television screen, this sunscreen is our recommended go-to!
FANCL Sunguard retails for RM131.70. Find the most updated prices and deals here:
Finding our skincare tips helpful? Read Daily Vanity‘s guide to 20 best sunscreens.
