Maybe you can relate to this: You're at the beach and you reach to reapply your face sunscreen, only to realize you forgot it at home. Your tube of body sunscreen is in your bag, but then you wonder—can you use body sunscreen on your face? Read on to learn the answer to this common dilemma and how to protect your skin from head to toe.
Can You Use Body Sunscreen on Your Face?
The short answer is yes, you can use body sunscreen on your face in a pinch. But just because you can doesn't mean you should.
Sunscreen formulas for the face and body have similar ingredients, like mineral or chemical blockers, but the similarities end there. The skin on your face is more delicate than the rest of your body, and it has different needs and distinct challenges. Facial-specific sunscreens are formulated with these differences in mind. These specialized sunscreens are made to do more than block harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
To be clear, it's better to use body sunscreen on your face than to use no sunscreen at all. So if that's your only option, slather away. But to treat your face with the love and care it deserves, stick to facial-specific sunscreens. And in case you're wondering, you can also use your face sunscreen on your body. But for many of the reasons we'll discuss below, you'll probably want to avoid that, too.
How Is Face Sunscreen Different from Body Sunscreen?
Here's a look at how most facial sunscreens differ from their body-focused counterparts.
Won't Aggravate Skin Concerns
Facial skin is complicated, and skin type varies from person to person. Again, the skin on your face is more sensitive than the rest of your body, so it's more likely to experience common conditions like acne or rosacea. It's also more prone to irritation from certain ingredients, which can result in rashes and redness.
Facial sunscreens are developed to address specific skin concerns. For example, some formulas contain ingredients like Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) to help fight redness and inflammation or Hyaluronic Acid to attract and lock in hydration. They also avoid heavier ingredients, like Shea Butter or Jojoba Oil, which may be nourishing for the skin on the rest of your body but lead to clogged pores on your face. Choosing noncomedogenic facial formulas helps keep breakouts at bay.
Formulated for Your Face's Needs
In addition to containing certain ingredients (and leaving certain ones out), facial sunscreens are also designed to complement your face's needs. For example, many facial sunscreens are more cosmetically elegant than body sunscreens. They're formulated to absorb quickly and layer easily without a white cast, making them ideal to wear alone or under makeup. Facial sunscreens' gentle formulas are also safer to apply around your eyes. And if you're active, prone to heavy sweating, or planning to go for a swim, you can find sunscreens that won't drip into your eyes and sting.
Prevents and Repairs Environmental Damage
Unlike your body, your face is constantly exposed to elements that can cause damage, like UV rays, blue light, and environmental toxins. Facial sunscreens don't just block these harmful free radical attacks—they also help repair their effects. For example, EltaMD UV AOX Eye Broad-Spectrum SPF 30 is an ophthalmologist-tested formula for use around your eyes with antioxidants Vitamin E and Bisabolol. These ingredients help prevent and reverse damage from the elements and reduce the signs of premature aging, including fine lines and uneven skin tone.
Comes in Tinted Formulas
With all the time spent in front of smartphone, TV, and computer screens, facial skin has an additional risk factor your body doesn't have: blue light. This type of visible light contributes to premature aging and discoloration, like melasma and hyperpigmentation.
Unlike untinted sunscreens, tinted sunscreens contain Iron Oxides that help block blue light. These formulas can also help mineral blockers blend in more easily (goodbye, white cast), camouflage blemishes, and even out skin tone. If you're new to tinted sunscreens, try EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40. Enriched with Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid, this lightweight sunscreen protects, restores, and hydrates for radiant, healthy-looking skin.
Protect Yourself from Head to Toe
Every inch of your skin deserves protection, from your face down to your toes. But facial sunscreens do more than protect you from the sun's rays. They're designed to address challenges and concerns unique to your face, whether you're looking for a hydration boost or a formula that minimizes fine lines and dark spots. Protecting your skin with sunscreen and other sun-safety measures daily—like seeking shade and wearing hats and UV protective clothing—will keep all of your skin healthy, vibrant, and looking as great as you feel.
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