SUNSCREEN FOR EVERY OCCASION

Dr. Lucy has the answers to your brightest questions about sunscreen.

You know the sun emits UV rays that can even penetrate snow and rain cloud cover, all 365 days of the year. Whether you are at work or on vacation, your skin is being exposed to UV rays that can cause premature aging and sun damage. This is why everyone of all skin types and tones should protect their skin with sunscreen, and Mary Kay offers a variety of sun care products for daily use.

When choosing your sunscreen for the day, consider the occasion and activities you are engaging in as well as your skin type. Let’s explore the sunscreen options available to provide coverage for any skin type and any activity.

SUNSCREEN AND YOUR SKIN

Your skin is the outermost barrier and the first defense against pollution, UV rays, cold weather and more. These irritants will attack the skin, potentially damaging it, and ultimately wear down its natural defenses if you aren’t actively maintaining its protective benefits. A broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more is an often overlooked and underutilized skin care staple, meaning you know you don’t wear sunscreen nearly as often as you should.

In addition to wearing lightweight but long sleeves and pants, sunglasses, and hats, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher for any extended outdoor activity. It is also recommended to use a minimum of SPF 30 daily to protect your skin from incidental sun exposure, such as while driving your car or blue light from electronic devices.

Tube of Mary Kay® Sunscreen SPF 50+ and a tube of Mary Kay® Mineral Facial Sunscreen SPF 30 on white background

What’s The Difference Between Mineral Sunscreen And Chemical Sunscreen?

Mineral and chemical sunscreens differ mainly in their active ingredients and the way those ingredients protect your skin.

Mineral sunscreens use natural minerals such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to create a physical barrier that allows UV rays to reflect off your skin, preventing them from penetrating and causing damage. Chemical sunscreens contain synthetic chemicals that absorb UV rays and convert them into heat, which is then released from the skin.

Should I Use Mineral or Chemical Sunscreen?

Whether you choose to use mineral or chemical sunscreen, both provide broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. The choice could be a personal preference or based on individual skin needs.

Mineral sunscreen is most often preferred for people with acne-prone or sensitive skin, while chemical sunscreen works well for highly active people looking for a formula that is more sweat-resistant and water-resistant. While indoors, allow your makeup to do double duty and consider using foundations or color-correcting creams with an SPF rating to also shield against blue light from electronic devices.

THE RIGHT SUNSCREEN FOR YOU

Polaroid of woman in red one-piece swimsuit with pink heart-shaped floatie in the water next to a second polaroid of a tube of Mary Kay® Sunscreen SPF 50+ laying next to sunglasses beside a pool

Sunscreen for Active Lifestyles

We recommend using SPF 50 for those days you are going to be outside for longer periods of time. Our high-powered Mary Kay^® Sunscreen SPF 50* shields your skin with a natural, non-sticky finish during your morning run or an afternoon picnic and enjoy your day with no white cast. Bring this sweat and water-resistant sunscreen to your next pool party or day at the beach as well.

Sunscreen at Work

Whether you are working from home or at the office, sunscreen is equally important to apply even while indoors due to blue light exposure from electronic devices. Sitting near windows, your laptop and definitely from your phone, or even driving during your morning commute can all expose you to UV rays.

The zinc oxide in our Mary Kay^® Mineral Facial Sunscreen SPF 30* is known to offer protection from the blue light of our many digital screens, which can cause premature aging or hyperpigmentation. It is also non-comedogenic and fragrance-free making it less likely to cause irritation or allergic reactions and suitable for daily use on all skin types.

Bottles and tubes in order from left to right: TimeWise® Daytime Defender Sunscreen SPF 30, TimeWise® Nighttime Recovery, TimeWise® Eye Cream, Mary Kay® Sunscreen SPF 50+, TimeWise® 4-in-1 Cleanser, TimeWise® Antioxidant Moisturizer

Sunscreen As Skin Care

There is a wide variety of moisturizing skin care products that include sunscreen as an easy way to provide hydration and protection for your skin.

Add a sun care product like TimeWise^® Daytime Defender Sunscreen SPF 30* to your skin care routine for healthier-looking and more resilient-feeling skin. It includes prickly pear extract to help strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier. This daily skin care essential improves the skin’s overall appearance and the look of uneven tone with the quick-absorbing formula while also reducing the look of fine lines.

Soothing Skin at Sunset

For an extra boost after a long day in the sun, apply Mary Kay^® After-Sun Replenishing Gel for moisturizing, cool relief.

SUNSCREEN FAQs

Now that you know what kinds of sunscreens are available, here are answers to your commonly asked (and hopefully not burning) questions about sunscreen.

How Much Sunscreen Should I Apply?

To ensure effective protection, generously apply sunscreen to all uncovered body parts, including your face, at least 15 minutes before sun exposure. The average adult requires at least 2-3 tablespoons of sunscreen to cover the whole body. If you spend time outdoors, remember to bring your sunscreen with you to reapply every two hours. As a bonus, Mary Kay^® Sunscreen SPF 50* is water-resistant for 80 minutes so you can swim or sweat carefree.

Where Does Sunscreen Fit Into My Skin Care Routine?

Any sunscreen should be applied as the last step in your skin care routine, right after moisturizer but before makeup to seal in the moisturizer's benefits.

Allow your sunscreen to dry and absorb for at least two minutes before applying makeup for a seamless finish. Mary Kay^® Sunscreen SPF 50* leaves no white cast and, with moisturizer, Mary Kay^® Mineral Facial Sunscreen SPF 30* wears well under foundation due to their fast-absorbing and ultralight formulas, regardless of your skin type.

Pink and purple Mary Kay® pots next to Mary Kay® Mineral Facial Sunscreen SPF 30 with label of Behind Your Buy: Each Purchase Directly Supports Your Independent Beauty Consultant

Which Moisturizer Works Best With Mineral Sunscreen?

The best moisturizer to use with mineral sunscreen depends on which moisturizer pairs best with your skin type. For example, if you have combination-to-oily skin, a non-greasy formula like Mary Kay^® Mattifying Moisturizer or the TimeWise^® Antioxidant Moisturizer for combination-to-oily would work best. However, if you have normal-to-dry skin, Mary Kay^® Hydrating Moisturizer or the TimeWise^® Antioxidant Moisturizer in normal-to-dry would work better for you.

What’s the Difference Between SPF 30 and SPF 50?

Although no sunscreen product protects against 100% of UV rays, the difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 is the level of sun protection. An SPF 30 rating means the product screens 97% of UV rays, versus an SPF 50 rating for a 98% screening of UV rays.

YOUR SUN CARE SUPPORT!

Embrace the sunny side of life with the new Mary Kay^® Sunscreen SPF 50,* and discover the rest of our sun care and skin care products with personal recommendations from your Independent Beauty Consultant. Call, tap, or text, your personal beauty advisor for a convenient try-before-you-buy service that saves you time and money.