Tinted Sunscreen or Tinted Moisturizer with Sunscreen?

Dr. Irwin
September 4, 2013

There are two main differences. For starters, the quality of the active sunscreen ingredients in the tinted moisturizers isn’t good. They block UVB but not much UVA. The tinted sunscreens often have some zinc or titanium in them which are the best UVA and UVB blockers. But……the tinted moisturizers tend to come in a larger range of colors – the one I like best is the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 (department stores). It comes in both regular and oil-free and a broad range of colors.

Here’s what I do (keep in mind that I have very fair skin and like to protect my skin). First a layer of a tinted sunscreen and then a layer of tinted moisturizer. You get the better sunscreen with the better cosmetic effect also!

Dr. Irwin

 

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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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