New Beauty posted "Dermatologists Explain Why Moisturizers With SPF Are Much Less Effective Than Pure Sunscreen" featuring Dr. Purvisha Patel and Visha Skincare .
The article includes Dr. Patel's expert commentary on why using spf moisturizers can be useful, especially if work indoors.
Maybe it’s the time-saving thrill of combining two steps into one; maybe it’s feeling good that you actually remembered to apply sunscreen. Whatever the motivator, moisturizers spiked with SPF have been a staple in many of our routines for quite a while. But with summer peeking through, we asked top dermatologists a question that’s been weighing on us: is the SPF in our moisturizer enough?
“When applying moisturizer with sunscreen instead of just sunscreen, most people will apply too thin a layer for it to be effective enough to protect against the sun’s harmful rays,” says Fort Lauderdale, FL dermatologist Dr. Matthew J. Elias. “There are actually studies in Europe supporting the fact that users don't apply nearly enough sunscreen to their skin—to their face, in particular—when they use moisturizer with sunscreen as opposed to sunscreen alone.”
However, no matter how much is applied, the majority of skin care and makeup with SPF will usually only boast a small SPF, such as 15 or 20.
However, there are dermatologists who do recommend these products—sometimes. Germantown, TN dermatologist Purvisha Patel, MD says a moisturizer with an SPF of 30 or above is what she recommends for her patients who work indoors. “If they’re planning on being outside, they should wear a sunblock—no sprays—and reapply every two hours,” she adds. Selbyville, DE dermatologist Sara Moghaddam, MD agrees, noting that moisturizers with SPF are good for basic daily protection, “but would not be sufficient if you will be sweating or wet.” Scottsdale, AZ dermatologist Dr. Mariel Bird says these products are great for simplifying our skin-care routines, but the trick is applying enough. “You have to apply enough of the product to get the SPF level that’s printed on the label,” she explains. “For the face and neck, that means two to three ‘fingertip units.’” (To your knuckle!)