Because many sunscreens are so oily and heavy, they often make oily and combo skin like Cassandra’s feel greasy. At the same time, Cassandra also has dry patches she needs to treat with moisturizing ingredients.

So, how do you properly layer a moisturizer and sunscreen for oily and combo skin? Can you just use an SPF? Here are 3 ways to moisturize and protect oily and combo skin from UV radiation

Get a mineral sunscreen that soaks into your skin.

Typically, sunscreens that soak in well are “whipped” and blended well. Chemists use things like surfactants or add air into the formula (whipping) to smoothen the texture and make it absorbable. Whipped sunscreens are known for leaving a sheer finish without an oily residue. 

Like a moisturizer, absorbable sunscreens are easy to wear throughout the day. There are also sunscreen lotions. You can think of sunscreen lotions as moisturizers that have sun-protecting actives. These SPFs are watery lotions that blend onto the skin. Sunscreen lotions are normally chemical SPFs because mineral filters (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) are commonly water-insoluble powders, meaning they can’t dissolve in water. Rather, mineral filters are normally oil-soluble.

In contrast, chemical filters (avobenzone and oxybenzone) are water-soluble. So, you’ll normally find them in more water-based formulas,  which could be convenient for acne-prone skin. 

MAKEP:REM UV Defense Daily Sun Fluid SPF 50+ PA++++

So, would chemical sunscreens work better for oily skin?

Chemical sunscreens can be irritating sometimes – but not necessarily for everyone. There are also chemical sunscreen formulas for sensitive skin. However, chemical sunscreens do not protect against visible light, which can speed up aging. So, if you don’t want to use a chemical sunscreen, you can also look for a mineral sunscreen without oil or a mineral sunscreen that does not have oil listed within its first ingredients. 

Mineral Mattescreen SPF 40 - $40

This is a tinted, physical sunscreen, and it goes on very smoothly. It can even double as a foundation. This is an oil-less formula. However, it does contain dimethicone. Dimethicone is an emollient, and it is not known to be pore-clogging. This formula was actually perfect for Cassandra’s sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin. 

 

Get a K Beauty Chemical Sunscreen

 

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF 50

The  Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF 50  works super well for sensitive skin. Plus, it’s very watery and sinks deeply into the skin, giving it a glow. If this formula were to cause oily skin, we would be surprised.

In fact, it’s one of the most hydrating sunscreens that Cassandra has ever used. You can pair this formula with a moisturizer, or you can use it alone. This sun gel also includes niacinamide, an ingredient that reduces irritation and provides oil control. This has centella asiatica too, which is a soothing and potent antioxidant. 

Moreover, Korean SPFs use chemical filters that are not found in US sunscreens. Korean sunscreens use filters such as diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, ethylhexyl triazone, and methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethyl butyl phenol. Generally but not always, these filters are known to be more gentle and less irritating to the skin. 

Don't mix your oil-based sunscreen and moisturizer together. 

Oil and water don’t mix. As mentioned before, many sunscreens are oil-based. However, moisturizers are largely water-based, especially non-creams. Look at the ingredients, and if the SPF is oil-based, it’s better to apply the moisturizer first. Then, apply the sunscreen generously on top of the moisturizer. If you mix them, this can cause the sunscreen to kind of goop up on and contribute to greasiness. 

In addition, some say mixing a moisturizer can even dilute a water-based, chemical sunscreen and likewise lower the potency or SPF. So, just in case – always apply your moisturizer first.

Can I just use the SPF?

Most of the time, sunscreens and moisturizers have different delivery systems. This means the formulas sink into or sit on the skin differently. Because they’re meant to shield the skin, sunscreens are more commonly formulated to sit on top of the skin. In contrast, moisturizers are normally meant to at least sink past the first layer of your skin.

Habitually excluding moisturizers may cause your skin to be less bouncy or supple since watery ingredients plump up the skin’s deeper layers. You can use sunscreen to lock in a serum, but serums are often perfect for pulling a moisturizer’s ingredients deeper into the skin. Then, a sunscreen seals it off. 

But, if you really want to simplify things, make sure you’re using an SPF like the watery sun gel or another hydrating sunscreen.