Beauty

[HappyDaze]

I was reading an article on Paula's website and she said,

"There isn’t a single best way to apply a facial oil, and the only rule is never to mix it with your SPF product because doing so dilutes the sunscreen’s effectiveness."

Now, I have never heard this before and will now have to do some research to see what the research shows.

But my question is- does anyone know if this means if you apply oils first, wait a few minutes, then add an SPF or moisturizer with SPF this too would decrease the sunscreen's effectiveness?? All the research I've read in the past (will now have to do a new one) showed that some of the properties in oils can actually boost the sunscreen's effectiveness. I know vitamin C also boosts spf efficacy but I am specifically talking about oils.

Thanks for any and all thoughts!

[Trix]

I agree with Paula on this one. The best method for most beauty routines is the one which works best for the individual. With regard to applying oils and sunscreen, sometimes we can research and inform ourselves to the point of overthinking the situation. It only makes sense to apply oil first because of it's liquid consistency. I don't think your sunscreen -- whether you're applying a regular sunscreen, sunscreen in a moisturizer, or it's in your foundation can be diluted or have its effectiveness tainted because you have oil on your face.

If one has very oily skin (kind of the same premise of oil on the face) their sunscreen's effectiveness is not diminished during one the oil outbreaks they may have.

[suzyQ3]

Happy, I think the operative word is "mix" here. She apparently feels the same way about moisturizers: Look at this article and note "Begoun" as a source for that: LINK

http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/moisturizing/basics/should-you-put-moisturizer-or-sunscree...

[myshell624]

I am pretty sure she is just referring to mixing oils with sunscreen. As long as you apply the oil first, you should be fine.

[MarenSeattle]

I agree with suzyQ3 and myshell -- "mix". Don't "cocktail" the two.

I'd apply my skin care first (including oil), allow time to absorb, then apply my mineral sunscreen. THEN my makeup (meanwhile, 12 layers later....)

Does Paula take questions? Maybe you could ask for clarification.

[suzyQ3]

On 3/9/2014 MarenSeattle said:

I agree with suzyQ3 and myshell -- "mix". Don't "cocktail" the two.

I'd apply my skin care first (including oil), allow time to absorb, then apply my mineral sunscreen. THEN my makeup (meanwhile, 12 layers later....)

Does Paula take questions? Maybe you could ask for clarification.

I'm not a FB user, but that might be a good place for someone to ask. Also, on her site she has a "Dear Paula" page.

[magemay]

There are a few different schools of thought and even the experts (as usual) don't always agree.

If you're referring to a chemical sunscreen, according to Dr. Shultz, it works like this:

Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing ultraviolet (UV) rays. In order to accomplish this, it must first be absorbed onto and into the skin, and activate (hence why sunscreen directions state to apply it twenty to thirty minutes prior to sun exposure). On the basis of the above, prior to applying sunscreen, I wouldn't want to have any other products on and or absorbed into my skin because of their potential to interfere with this absorption or activation process of sunscreen (and thus limit or eliminate the efficacy of it). Thus, this is another reason that I always recommend to apply sunscreen first.

Physical sunscreen, according to UV awareness:

<h2>Physical Sunscreens</h2>

A physical ingredient sits on your skin's surface forming a protective barrier and doesn't have the ability to be absorbed into your skin. Light is either absorbed into the ingredient or reflected away from your body back into the atmosphere similar to a mirror or tin foil.

<h3 class="indent">Physical Sunscreen Ingredients</h3>

Titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide offers protection from UVB and short UVA radiation, but not long wave UVA. Titanium dioxide is also non-irritating.

Zinc oxide
Zinc oxide offers broad-spectrum protection (UVB and most of UVA). Arguably the best broad-spectrum protection available.

HappyDaze, if you're referring to a physical sunscreen, it makes sense to me to add it after everything, therefore, the properties of the zinc and, if used, titanium aren't compromised, and because the zinc/titanium create a barrier, the benefits of the treatment products aren't compromised either.

[HappyDaze]

Yes, thanks ladies, you all said what I thought as well- apply the oil first and don't mix it in with the SPF and you should be fine. That is they way I've always done it and haven't had any issues with freckling or sunburn/tan on my face since using both, despite being out in the sun for hours during spring and summer months.

Such smart ladies you all are!

[HappyDaze]

Yes magemay, I only use Physical sunscreens and knew to apply them after everything since they work atop the skin.

[MarenSeattle]

On 3/9/2014 magemay said:

There are a few different schools of thought and even the experts (as usual) don't always agree.

If you're referring to a chemical sunscreen, according to Dr. Shultz, it works like this:

Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing ultraviolet (UV) rays. In order to accomplish this, it must first be absorbed onto and into the skin, and activate (hence why sunscreen directions state to apply it twenty to thirty minutes prior to sun exposure). On the basis of the above, prior to applying sunscreen, I wouldn't want to have any other products on and or absorbed into my skin because of their potential to interfere with this absorption or activation process of sunscreen (and thus limit or eliminate the efficacy of it). Thus, this is another reason that I always recommend to apply sunscreen first.

Physical sunscreen, according to UV awareness:

<h2>Physical Sunscreens</h2>

A physical ingredient sits on your skin's surface forming a protective barrier and doesn't have the ability to be absorbed into your skin. Light is either absorbed into the ingredient or reflected away from your body back into the atmosphere similar to a mirror or tin foil.

<h3 class="indent">Physical Sunscreen Ingredients</h3>

Titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide offers protection from UVB and short UVA radiation, but not long wave UVA. Titanium dioxide is also non-irritating.

Zinc oxide
Zinc oxide offers broad-spectrum protection (UVB and most of UVA). Arguably the best broad-spectrum protection available.

HappyDaze, if you're referring to a physical sunscreen, it makes sense to me to add it after everything, therefore, the properties of the zinc and, if used, titanium aren't compromised, and because the zinc/titanium create a barrier, the benefits of the treatment products aren't compromised either.

I'm with you -- I feel zinc is the best!