Do I need a moisturizer with a sunscreen?

Hi Dr. Irwin. My question is about Sunscreens. They all feel like moisturizers but most skin care programs suggest using a moisturizer before a sunscreen. I am 50 and have oily skin but with the use of the skin Medica retinol I do tend to be surface-dry right after washing. Do I need to use a moisturizer or is a sunscreen like Ti Silc spf 60 or SkinMedica SPF 30 enough?

You really don’t need an extra moisturizer with the sunscreen if you’re oily.  Here are 3 options.  One, just use the sunscreen alone.  Two, use the moisturizer you like and put a powder sunscreen like the Colorescience Sunforgettable over it.  Or, if you’re really an indoor person, even use the Jane Iredale mineral powder makeup SPF 20.  And three, use a very light gel moisturizer like the Vitamin B5 gel (expensive but lasts a long time) and put your sunscreen over that.  Hope this helps!  Dr I

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

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