Doctor shares essential guide to sunscreen – the best picks for oily skin and how to choose between mineral & chemical
A DOCTOR has revealed her ultimate guide to choosing the best sunscreen for your skin type.
Dr. Saniyya Mahmood said sunscreen is by far “the most” important step in any skincare routine.
Dr. Mahmood is a GP specializing in Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine and the Medical Director of the UK-based company Aesthetica Medical Clinic.
Speaking to The U.S. Sun, she said sunscreen is “essential” for preventing the signs of aging and protecting the skin from harmful UV rays that can cause skin cancer.
“A broad spectrum sunscreen is recommended, at least factor 50,” she said.
“It should be used every single day come summer or winter, sunshine or rain.”
She shared her expert tips for choosing an effective sunscreen.
PERFECT SUN PROTECTION
Dr. Mahmood said the sebum [oil] glands are “more active” on oily skin and can cause congestion on the surface of the skin.
She advised against applying thick layers of skincare products as it could worsen the issue.
“The best SPF for oily skin is one that is lightweight and blends in easily without feeling greasy and heavy on the skin,” she said.
“A key active ingredient to look out for is zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which can provide an anti-inflammatory effect and therefore great for oily or sensitive skin.
“It can be drying, which is great for sebum control.
“It is usually in mineral SPFs and works by sitting on top of the skin providing a physical barrier from the UV rays.”
She said oily skin can become worse if the sunscreen has emollients among its moisturizing ingredients.
Oils and occlusives such as petroleum and glycerin should also be avoided.
“Gel or lotions are far better for oily skin,” she said.
“Look out for the label ‘non-comedogenic’ on sunscreens, as this means the formula is designed not to clog your pores.
“The combination of oily skin and clogged pores can lead to breakouts and inflammation, therefore a non-comedogenic formula is essential for oily skin.”
THE BEST FORMULAS
Dr. Mahmood said mineral and chemical sunscreens may react differently on the skin.
“A mineral sunscreen provides physical barrier protection against UV rays and usually has zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredient,” she said.
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“A chemical sunscreen relies on active ingredients such as benzophenone and methoxycinnamate which gets absorbed in the skin to protect you from the sun.
“This can cause breakouts and irritation and even more so if your skin is oily.
“However, the mineral SPFs can leave a white cast in some formulations.”
She recommended Obagi tinted SPF which is a blend of mineral and chemical sunscreen for oily, acne-prone skin.
She said it’s non-comedogenic and doesn’t leave a white cast.
“Another great SPF for oily skin is the La Roche Posay Mineral Invisible Fluid, which is very lightweight and blends into the skin nicely without feeling oily and does not leave a white cast,” she added.
SPF tips for lips
Dr. Mahmood said it’s equally important to protect the lips as the “delicate” skin can be sensitive to the sun.
She said the lips are a common area for skin cancers so it’s important to wear a minimum of SPF 30 on the area.
“My favorite SPF lip balm is Ultraviolette hydrating lip balm,” she said.
“You need to also reapply your SPF lip balm every 1-2 hours, especially after eating or drinking.
“In the evenings before bedtime, about twice a week, you can also exfoliate.
“This will help to remove dry, dead, and flakey skin. You can use a gentle washcloth but also some brands sell scrubs dedicated to lips.”
As well as using a lip balm that has SPF, Dr. Mahmood recommended avoiding licking lips because it saps moisture.
“Drink plenty of water, it will not only hydrate your body and make your skin appear more hydrated it will also hydrate your lips,” she added.