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Wearing SPF to Bed = Do Not Want

Published 04.18.2008 | Permanent Link | Comments (4)

Hi Amy,

Just had a quick question. You have mentioned several times that you don't recommend using a moisturizer with SPF in it as your nightly moisturizer. Is this just because it's a waste of SPF if you're not in the sun or are you saying that SPF can actually do harm to your skin at night? For the record, based on your advice I did switch out my moisturizer (Cetaphil SPF 15) with Hope in a Jar and am liking it lots.

Thanks! Liz

Ah yes, so very like me to issue sweeping skincare edicts without explaining myself.

So, SPF clogs your pores. Simple as dat. For those of us with oily or blemish-prone skin, it's a necessary evil during the day (sun damage trumps zits in the long term, obviously), but it's best to avoid it in favor of something non-comedogenic at night.

But really, all skin -- dry, sensitive, even perfectly normal and balanced -- should avoid wearing it to bed, because we all have pores, and all pores can get clogged up and yucky. (SPF can also be irritating for very dry or very sensitive skin, but mostly I'm against it for the pore-clogging business.)

Nighttime is the time to really nourish your skin, and address the unique overnight needs of your face. Think about it. Your face is clean and make-up free, but you're also not blotting away the excess oil it produces at regular intervals. Maybe you touch your face at night (I always wake up with my hands curled around my chin) or your hair and scalp get oily or maybe you haven't washed your pillowcase in awhile. When you think about all this stuff, skipping the completely unnecessary sunscreen in favor of something gentle and non-comedogenic is kind of a no-brainer.

So in terms of your product line-up, it's kind of six of one and a half dozen of the other. The combo moisturizers-plus-SPF are convenient, but you need to buy a night cream or some other stand-alone moisturizer. Or if you have a plain moisturizer you really love, you can add an extra step of a stand-alone sunscreen in the morning, and skip it at night. Or you can get SPF coverage from your primer or foundation or face powder. Pick the combo that works best for you -- I do not care. Just promise me you'll leave the SPF off your face at night. That's all I ask! That and the occasional phone call! And wear a helmet when you ride your bike! I NAG BECAUSE I LOVE YOU.

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- How Often Should I Apply Sunscreen to My Face?

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Comments (4):

eb said:

Not that I don't feel for you Liz, because that reallt sucks and I hope you work it out....but... Total Random Sidebar... I just ordered a whole mess of Philosophy stuff from Sephora and I am SO FREAKIN excited!
:)

Posted on April 18, 2008 14:56

eb said:

Sorry, I thought I was posting this under the hot n bothered question!

Posted on April 18, 2008 14:58

Muirnait said:

I really enjoyed your motherly naggy tone there, Amy ;) Kinda made me miss my mum actually.

Posted on April 18, 2008 17:22

MagQ said:

What if your SPF comes in your daily moisturizer? Do you still need an extra dose of moisturizer on top?

Posted on April 21, 2008 13:30

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Amalah is a pseudonym of Amy Corbett Storch. A Washington D.C.-based freelance writer. The Smackdown is published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. You can follow Amy's daily mothering adventures at www.amalah.com. Also, it's pronounced AIM-ah-lah.

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