April 26, 2021

Hey, How Much SPF Are You Using Anyway? Is Too Much Consumerism?

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How much SPF do you really need to use on your face? How much SPF are you using? Your minimum daily dose is an SPF 30 and should be about one teaspoon of sunscreen for your face. Most of us don’t apply that much. Why are we applying less? Because sunscreen can be uncomfortable! Too heavy, too greasy, too much of a white cast, too much alcohol…

But the fact of the matter is sunscreen has become a major staple in our routines and we’ve somehow been conditioned to believe without it we’ll burst into flames and die a horrible death. I’m here to tell you that you won’t burst into flames, you won’t die a horrible death, and you’ll be ok with an SPF 30 (there are exceptions).

I found it funny when I was recently reading some comments on an Instagram account I follow which said that if you aren’t using a tube of SPF ever 20 days you probably aren’t applying enough. Someone chimed in right away and said it was consumerism to recommend that much. I actually disagree. I do think when it comes to SPF more is much better. Keep in mind this account was not trying to sell anything, they weren’t using affiliate links….It’s just a matter of being safe and making sure you’re well covered with your SPF.

Do I use a full tube of SPF every 20 days?

I am very serious about sunscreen but no, I do not use an entire tube every 20 days. I’d say I get about a month out of my SPF sometimes a month and a half. Honestly, if you’re spending a ton of time indoors and you aren’t by any windows you can afford to not go crazy and just rely on your daily moisturizer with SPF for your dosage of sunscreen. Just make sure you apply the right amount. A pea size of your a moisturizer that contains SPF 30 is not going to offer you the protection you need.

I personally do not like moisturizers with built in sunscreens. I take anti-aging very seriously and I do think the the sun can rapidly age skin. I tend to apply a regular SPF and follow up with SPF 50 or more on my face. I measure it out by applying four strips of it (middle and ringer fingers) onto my face. I also spend a lot of time outside in the Spring and Summer which means I do apply a lot more when the weather is warmer and I’m outside more!

Is excessive SPF consumerism or a necessary evil?

I say necessary!

What do you think?

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About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Kimmwc03

    Necessary! I think I need to use more because I don’t go through tubes that quickly.

    • Isabella Muse

      Neither do I! I get about a month of use! Sometimes if I’m not out and about as much maybe a month and two weeks! But not 20 days!

  • Dee

    I take it very seriously but never go through a tube in 20 days. I do use a moisturizer with spf in it but always put just spf on first.

  • Swoozy

    My family has a history of skin cancer, so I apply religiously. I don’t go through a tube every 20 days, but I have one bottle I apply in the morning before my makeup and I top up with a spray (unless I’m at the pool or out all day). I really like Shiseido urban defense (I think it is called something else now). It’s only SPF 42 (I usually use 50), but it lays great and is matte. I never burn with it on.

    • Isabella Muse

      I’m sorry to hear that! We all should be diligent with sunscreen no matter what!

      • Swoozy

        I lived in the Middle East for a while and really came to appreciate the birkini from an SPF perspective (and a not showing off my tush perspective too).

      • kjh

        Not to be snarky, but if you need a ten minute break every two hours for sunscreen reapplication you just took most of an hour away from your employer. Aside from self-employed, not happening.

        • Isabella Muse

          lol true…I’m self employed so maybe need to make the time lol!

  • Christina

    I use A LOT of sunscreen. You know me, I’m a vampire. LOL! I probably do use about a tube every month, but it’s hard to say because I always have about three or four open at the same time that I rotate through, and that’s just for my face. I do go through body sunscreen really quickly and know I purchase at least two big bottles to use during the summer months. I also have sunscreen for my hands, sunscreen to drive home with, etc. Again, vampire! Really…

    • Isabella Muse

      Ha me too! ;-D And I totally know how you are about your skin! 😉 Oh my gosh lol! Hands too? I have to admit I don’t do my hands 😀

      • Christina

        LOL! That’s because I get stuck in bay area traffic under blazing hot sun. I’m sure you remember rush hour in Cali. Fun stuff.

        • Isabella Muse

          oh the joy of rush hour in California. So much fun! Hours of entertainment ;-D

      • Violet

        Isabella, you’ve got to do your hands too! You may still look 12 in your 60s, but your hands will give you away if you don’t take care of them too. I keep a stick in my purse for fast, easy application while driving or after washing hand

        • Isabella Muse

          I’m a hand cream girl but sadly, not an SPF one unless I’m out for longer periods of time ;-D but I’ll take your advise! Def don’t want my hands giving my age away in the future 😀

  • N

    I use sunscreen everyday rain or shine and consider it a necessity. Using a tube (what size tube anyway?) every 20 days seems like someone’s arbitrary rule, which I would not personally follow. I usually apply a moisturizer like CeraVe PM or a serum on first and let it sink in and then apply sunscreen over it. Some of my favorite all mineral sunscreens are Colorscience Sunforgettable spf 50, Murad City Skin spf 50, the new Suprgoop Mineral Sheer spf 30, And Paula’s Choice Essential Glow spf 30. These are the ones that work for my sensitive skin which I want to protect from sun damage and has nothing to do with consumerism for me.

  • Mariele

    … Just a teaspoon? Heck, I think I apply more than that for my face and neck. And I use way more than that for my arms, hands, and chest… It takes me forever to use up a tube of sunscreen, though, because I don’t reapply (I use an SPF 50+ setting spray to reapply) and I tend to be well covered up when going out for a walk.

  • Jen

    Hey Muse!! It’s your friendly neighborhood Master Esthetician here! People should be reapplying their SPF every 2 hours whether it be an over the counter or medical grade SPF. Every bottle of SPF on the market says on the drug label to reapply every 2 hours or so (each brand is slightly different). That might be why some people go through it so fast (because they’re using it correctly). I tend to reapply mine during the day with powder SPF because it doesn’t feel as heavy.

    • Isabella Muse

      hi Jen! Yes, I know but most of us, if we aren’t at a beach, pool, or doing something outdoors like theme park or event, aren’t reapplying every two hours. I typically apply my regular SPF 50 in the morning and since I’m inside an office for most of the day I never reapply it until I going outside at which point I’ll use a powder SPF as a touch up. I could be wrong but I don’t think a lot of people take a tube of SPF with them to work and slather it on every two hours. So I don’t think that’s why it runs low so fast but who knows maybe that’s just me not doing that! :_D

      • Jen

        I can’t reapply liquid spf either! It just feels so heavy! I’m a powder SPF girl after my initial morning liquid application too. I don’t mind reapplying powder once or twice a day. I’ve only met one person in my life who reapplied liquid SPF religiously during normal work days, lol.

        • Isabella Muse

          I’ve never met anyone tbh! When you have makeup on I think it’s impossible to just reapply cream or liquid SPF on the go!

          • Jen

            Absolutely! Can you imagine how gross it would feel to put liquid SPF over finishing powder?!

          • Isabella Muse

            And just makeup in general! I find it impossible to do this. I just use a powder SPF to touch up!

  • dia

    I guess it depends on the size of the tube, but a tube every 20 days sounds like a lot. Even when had to leave the house to go to work every day before covid, a 1.7oz bottle would last at least a couple of months. I follow the three fingers rule where you pipe enough sunscreen out to draw lines down three fingers (pointer, middle, and ring), and that should be sufficient coverage for your face and neck.

    • Isabella Muse

      oh gosh a 1.7 oz bottle doesn’t last me a coupon of months!

  • Robin

    No,I don’t. I use Neutrogena Spf 30 with hylauronic acid every day and then usr a setting spray by Ulta Spf 50 after a few hours. Reapplying sunscreen has always been the problem. Supergoop sells a setting spray mini that I would carry in my purse for touch ups.

    • Isabella Muse

      I don’t reapply either. My reapplication is in powder format! The only time I’m reapplying religiously is if I’m at a beach, theme park, etc..! But during a work week when I’m inside an office for several hours a day I’m not taking time to reapply my SPF.

  • Jennifer F

    I think we follow the same skincare bloggers on IG ☺️ I saw the same finger length stripes of sunscreen and thought that was a lot…I mean it depends on how long your fingers are and how big the opening of the tube/bottle is right?! Anyway…I probably put on a large blueberry size amount if I go outside. If I’m outside for longer than a few minutes then it’s a hat for sure. For high exposure days, Colorescience powdered sunscreen every few hours, stick sunscreen for hands and liquid for whatever else is exposed. Take it from an old lady…laser to remove brown spots/ cancer, is much more painful and expensive.

    • Isabella Muse

      I don’t doubt it :)! Very true! Some people have long fingers! I’m going to start using it on my hands now! I’ve honestly never really did! Whatever access was on my hands I’d rub in but i wasn’t something I actively did! Now you guys are scaring me haha!