Can you use regular sunscreen on your face?

Living in Australia, we’re likely aware of the importance of protecting our skin from the sun and probably pretty familiar with the national sun protection campaign ‘Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide’. Let’s take a deeper look at the ‘Slop’ part – that’s using sunscreen as a key part of your daily sun protection routine – and what to look out for when choosing a sunscreen for your face.

Can you use body sunscreen on your face?

Technically, you can use regular body sunscreen on your face, but here’s the kicker – face sunscreen is specially formulated with your delicate facial skin in mind. These facial sunscreens often pack in extra goodies such as anti-ageing ingredients to give your face the extra love it deserves. So, while you’re welcome to borrow from your body sunscreen stash in a pinch, your face might just thank you for sticking with the face stuff.

Key differences between body sunscreen and facial sunscreen

Facial sunscreen

One key thing to look out for when choosing a facial sunscreen is that it offers good protection from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. First, pick one with a high level of sun protection factor (SPF). In Australian, the highest SPF rating is SPF 50+, which can filter out 98% of UV radiation when used correctly. Second, look for one with broad spectrum UV protection – one that protects against both the UVB radiation responsible for sunburn and the UVA radiation that penetrates deeper into your skin. 

The other key thing to remember is that your face skin is different to your body skin. The outer layer of skin on your face is a bit thinner than it is on other parts of your body and has a lot of sweat glands, which affects hydration and sensitivity. So, when choosing a facial sunscreen, it’s important look for ingredients to nourish and protect the special skin on your face.

Luckily for you and your gorgeous face, the entire DermaVeen range of sunscreens provide the highest level SPF50+ sun protection* and are specially formulated with natural Colloidal Oatmeal to hydrate and soothe dry and sensitive skin. DermaVeen’s sunscreens are all dermatologically tested, fragrance-free, and suitable for everyday use.

Did you know that sun exposure can accelerate skin ageing? Both UVA and UVB radiation can cause damage to skin cells in the deeper layers of your skin, leading to dryness, wrinkling, and other signs of skin ageing. It’s no wonder that regular daily use of sunscreen is highly recommended as one of the most important things we can do to protect our skin against these signs of ageing.

When it comes to choosing a facial sunscreen, DermaVeen Sensitive Sun Invisible Fluid SPF 50+ is the perfect addition to your daily skin care regime. It offers high level of sun protection plus hydration in an ultra lightweight, non greasy formula that leaves an invisible finish. And bonus, it provides 4 hours water resistance – making it ideal for those days when you plan to get sweaty or hit the beach.

If you’re interested in a facial sunscreen that does more than just protect your skin from the sun, consider DermaVeen Ultra Light Day Lotion SPF50+. It contains the moisturising anti-ageing ingredients hyaluronic acid, with bonus antioxidant benefits of vitamin E and intense moisturisation from aloe vera, to soothe and hydrate in a lightweight, non greasy lotion that’s ideal for daily use – even underneath make-up.

Body sunscreen

Now that you’ve got your face covered (literally – and liberally – with a good facial sunscreen!), it’s time to give the rest of your body some sunscreen love too. As with any sunscreen, it’s important to pick a broad-spectrum high SPF formulation, but here are some other factors to consider:

• Have dry skin? Look for moisturising ingredients that can hydrate and nourish your skin.
• Have sensitive skin? Look for non-irritating ingredients that can soothe and protect your skin.
• What about body hair? Try a lighter formulation that is easier to spread on areas of skin that have body hair. 
• Going to be active or playing in the water? Make sure your sunscreen is water resistant and remember to reapply as per the instructions on the label.

For a body sunscreen that ticks all those boxes, look no further than DermaVeen Sensitive Sun SPF 50+ Moisturising UVB + UVA Sunscreen. With natural Colloidal Oatmeal to soothe and hydrate dry and sensitive skin, this non greasy lightweight moisturising formula absorbs easily into the skin and provides 4 hours water resistance. Even better – it’s suitable for everyday use and can even be used on your face if you need to!

Top tips for using sunscreen

Use the right amount

Do you know how much sunscreen you should be using? In general, an adult needs about 40 mL of sunscreen to cover their body! That’s at least 1 teaspoon of sunscreen per body part – face/neck, each arm, each leg, front of the torso, and the back. Of course, each product has its own specifications included on the label – so always, always, always read the instructions!

Apply sunscreen before you go into the sun

Sunscreen should be applied 20 minutes before sun exposure. This is because sunscreen needs time to absorb into the top layers of your skin and spread evenly. So, put it on before you get to the beach – not when you’re just about to skip into the waves! 

Use sunscreen even when it’s cloudy

 Remember how we talked about the damage that UV radiation can cause to your skin? Well, that UV radiation is always present – even on cloudy days So don’t just rely on how sunny it is: your best bet is to check the UV Index online and always apply sun protection when it’s at level 3 or higher.

Makeup doesn’t count as sunscreen

Even though makeup covers your face, it may not be doing a good job to screen out the UV radiation. In Australia, only products whose main job is sun protection are considered sunscreens. Your make up products may have an SPF rating on their label, but these “secondary sunscreens” aren’t typically considered adequate sun protection. If you’re wondering when to apply sunscreen in your skincare routine, think of it as a layer of protection underneath your makeup: apply your facial sunscreen after your other skincare products but before your makeup. 

Conclusion

Sunscreen is an essential part of sun protection, along with wearing protective clothing and seeking shade. When you’re looking for an extra anti-ageing boost for your delicate facial skin or hydrating water resistant full-body SPF protection, the DermaVeen range of sunscreens offer the highest SPF 50+ protection* for dry and sensitive skin with lightweight formulations just right for your daily skin care routine.

*Highest label claim allowed as per AS:NZS 2604:2021; Very high, SPF 50+.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use. When using sunscreen, always wear a hat, protective clothing, and sunglasses. Avoid prolonged high-risk sun exposure. Reapply sunscreen frequently or use in accordance with directions.