Fun fact: How you apply sunscreen is just as important as using one in the first place. Right now on #BeautyTok, there’s a new-ish trend and controversial conversation around sunscreen circulating, and it involves mixing your sunscreen with other skincare and makeup products. After watching a few videos, I was intrigued. “SPF cocktailing” looked cool and seemed like a good idea, but was it actually effective? Ahead, we decided to ask the experts to help explain this latest skincare trend.
What is SPF Cocktailing?
SPF cocktailing is a popular trend where people mix sunscreens with other skincare and makeup products, explains Rachel Liverman, CEO and founder of Glowbar and third-generation esthetician. The goal is to eliminate white cast and residue from certain sunscreen products and to enhance beauty products’ sun protection efficacy, adds Liverman. “Like most trends, this idea was created by consumers and not advised by professionals,” she says. “While it may seem like a good idea in theory, in practice, it can alter the chemical composition of your sunscreen and potentially reduce its effectiveness,” she says.
Should You Mix Your Makeup With Your Sunscreen?
In some of the TikTok videos, creators mix a few pumps of sunscreen with other serums and makeup products, like concealers and foundations, hence the “cocktail” name. While we totally understand the desire to cut down on steps in your routine, the experts we spoke to don’t recommend testing out this trend. “In order for sunscreen to protect us from skin cancer and photoaging, it must be applied liberally and adequately to ensure it covers all areas of exposed skin,” shares Dr. Dennis Gross, practicing dermatologist, former skin cancer researcher, and co-founder of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare. “When you mix sunscreen with makeup, there is a high chance that you aren’t using enough SPF to effectively protect your skin, leaving you vulnerable to sun-related damage and burns.”
What are the Alternatives to SPF Cocktailing?
Instead of mixing your products together, Dr. David Kim, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York City, suggests using makeup products already formulated with sunscreen. “When you mix sunscreen with another product, whether it’s makeup, moisturizer, or a serum, it doesn’t get evenly distributed because it gets buried underneath the other products you've already applied,” explains Dr. Kim. Another reason why SPF cocktailing isn’t efficient—your sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours. Dr. Kim recommends using a sheer SPF tint or powder to reapply if you’re already wearing makeup.
Instead of jumping onto the SPF cocktailing trend, shop our expert-approved alternatives below.
UV Expert Defense SPF 50+ Primer and Moisturizer
The hydrating and protecting all-in-one facial sunscreen that has most of the products you need in an extensive skincare regime—there’s truly no need to DIY an SPF cocktail.
Activated Mineral Sunscreen
Dr. Kim recommends this mineral sunscreen because it has a sheer tint while still providing a healthy amount of coverage. (So, you can skip the heavy foundations or concealers.)
UV Daily Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40
Liverma says this lightly tinted formula offers great sun protection against UV rays and gives your complexion a smooth, even coverage.
All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30
This oil-free mineral sunscreen is lightweight, non-greasy, easy to blend, and layers well underneath makeup. Plus, it also protects against UVA/UVB rays and photoaging.
PerfecTint Powder SPF 40
Per Dr. Kim’s recommendation, this is an excellent way to touch up your SPF protection throughout the day. This powder formula is silky smooth, so it won’t look too cakey on top of makeup, and it’s available in a variety of shades.
Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Foundation SPF 45
This SPF-infused foundation is formulated with chia-seed extract, an ion charged water complex, and probiotic technology to soothe and hydrate skin.