Protecting the skin from UV rays is crucial in order to slow down premature skin ageing. To benefit from effective protection, sun care products are significant allies. Are you looking to enhance their performance and wondering if SPF values can be added together? We answer this question in this article.
If I apply various sun protection products, do the SPFs add up?
Summary
Published on February 20, 2024, by Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences — 2 min of reading
Themes:
In the morning, in addition to applying a sunscreen to your face, you also use a day cream and a complexion makeup with an SPF, and you may wonder if the combination of all these treatments allows for the addition of the SPFs? The answer is no. Protection factors cannot be accumulated.
However, it may be beneficial to combine skincare products with sunscreens, as a certain amount is required to achieve the protection factor value indicated on the label. Indeed, studies have shown that the majority of users do not apply enough, using only about a quarter of the recommended amount. Consequently, the protection distributed on the skin is well below the stated value.
Therefore, the application of multiple skincare products equipped with sun filters adds further protection to the skin, serving as supplements to the initial application. Moreover, it's not always easy to apply a sun care product evenly at the first attempt. By combining them, you increase the chances of covering a large surface area of the face.
As a reminder, to benefit from the protection factor stated on the packaging, one must apply a sufficient amount of sun care product, 2 mg per cm² of skin or alternatively 2.5 fingers' worth on the face, neck and ears.
Little tip: apply the sun care in several layers to avoid the feeling of too much material on the skin. This also makes the operation easier.
