THE TikTok social network is awash with beauty tips and tricks. Recently, it's “SPF cocktailing” that's been the focus of attention. This involves mixing your sunscreen into your makeup products to save time and avoid the white marks left on the skin by sun-protection products. While some users encourage people to make this part of their daily routine, experts warn of the potential risks.
Mixing sunscreen with your makeup could be this summer's hottest beauty tip. Dubbed "SPF cocktailing" by the TikTok community, this hack involves mixing your sunscreen with your foundation, highlighter or concealer, and applying this "cocktail" directly to the skin. This follows other recent hacks, such as "tantouring" and "SPF layering."
The aim of "SPF cocktailing" is to avoid the white, chalky marks left by certain sun-protection products. It also promises to save an incredible amount of time on your morning beauty routine. In some TikTok videos, internet users can be seen mixing their sunscreen with their foundation on the back of their hand, before applying their makeup with a radiant and natural result. In theory, the idea may seem ingenious, but experts advise against trying to play chemist with beauty products.
@sashinspires MAKEUP HACK! Mixing my foundation with sunscreen ? the best glowy tinted moisturiser ever! WITH spf ? #makeup #makeuphacks #beautyhacks #makeuptips #beautytips #spf #foundation #foundationhack #tintedmoisturizer ♬ Summer 91 (Looking Back) - Noizu
Mixing sunscreen with other makeup products could compromise the beneficial effects of sun-protection products. According to Dr Caroline Robinson, an American dermatologist, interviewed by Byrdie, "[sunscreen formulas] involve chemistry that depends on how the product sits on the skin, so mixing it with makeup risks changing the composition."
By mixing products into sunscreen, Dr Marko Lens, a plastic surgeon specialising in skin cancer, told Byrdie that the cocktail can "alter the chemistry of the sunscreen and affect how it protects the skin from UV rays." This means that skin is no longer effectively protected from the sun.
Added to this are the potential risks of being exposed to conditions linked to overexposure to the sun. "By mixing SPF with products such as concealer or highlighter you are leaving the skin entirely exposed to the dangerous UV rays, which will very likely burn the skin and potentially lead to skin cancer down the line, not to mention leaving you more prone to premature aging," says Dr Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics skin clinics, speaking to The Independent.
If you want to avoid the chalky complexion caused by sunscreens, there are several safer solutions. Experts recommend, for example, the application of tinted sun lotions, which are designed to leave the skin with a natural glow. However, some of these products offer little in the way of sun protection, so be sure to apply sunscreen beforehand. To minimise risk, you can also apply sunscreen as a base and put makeup over the top once the product has been completely absorbed into the skin. – The Vibes, August 18, 2023
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