Skincare
Tips! Tricks! Techniques!
Sunscreen, minus the shine factor
Mon, 10 January 2011 2:32PM
Regardless of your skin type, wearing SPF daily is a must, but if you happen to be the proud owner of particularly obnoxious oily-prone skin, finding the ultimate sunscreen (read: one that won’t leave your skin looking off-the-charts shiny), can be enough to test the patience of a saint. The good news is sunscreen formulations have come a long way from the greasy, sticky lotions we slip, slop, slapped all-over us as kids, so don’t stress! The latest crop have the same kind of texture and absorbency as face cream which makes them perfect for layering under moisturiser and foundation for coverage without overloading the skin.
Here are some other tips and tricks to help you out.
1. Two-in-one’s are so smart: If your skin is ultra oily, try minimising the amount of product you apply by switching to a daily moisturiser that contains SPF 30+. Keep your eyes peeled for oil-free, mattifying or powder-finish variants that won’t clog pores or leave skin looking shiner than a straight-from-the-mint gold coin. Try Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30+, $17.99.
2. Gel, it’s not just for your hair, you know? In the same way that you wouldn’t use an overly-rich face cream on problem-prone or oily skin, it pays to use a primer that’s skin appropriate, too. Using an oil-free gel primer that also contains SPF, is a smart way to protect your skin and keep shine at bay.
3. Powder is your new best friend: If you only buy one new makeup product this month, make it an anti-shine powder. It not only leaves skin looking even, but it’s particularly handy for reapplying throughout the day as soon as you notice the t-zone starting to misbehave, without leaving your makeup looking like it’s caked-on.
Try it and tell us what you think.
Words: Eliza Ashe. Pic: Getty.
Posted by: Eliza Ashe
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29 Comments
Posted by: loopylexy Master Fan // Mon, 10 January 2011 05:43pm
Those are definitely things I’m familiar with =] The Neutrogena product is great. I wouldn’t say it’s completely non-shiny but it’s just enough for a fresh, dewy look. I like it.
I’d love to find a tiny anti-shine powder. I own one but it has quite large packaging, and I can’t pop it in my handbag or anything.
Posted by: Sarah // Mon, 10 January 2011 06:07pm
Can you suggest a gel primer?
Posted by: Kallyn Devotee // Mon, 10 January 2011 10:18pm
Great tips!
Posted by: tegania11 Master Fan // Mon, 10 January 2011 10:29pm
i always set my face and SPF with powder, i like to look luminous but i am not a fan of shiny! powder is fan-bloody-tastic!
Posted by: Tina-1291133452 Master Fan // Tue, 11 January 2011 10:30am
agree with Sarah, it would be great if you could suggest a gel primer?
Posted by: lozfromoz Devotee // Tue, 11 January 2011 11:16am
i’m with the other girls in needing suggestions for a gel primer?! i use nivea q10 tinted spf15 moisturiser, as i’m an oily girl and don’t want to put on moisturiser, sunscreen and then foundation. i mix a bit of foundation in as i apply it to get enough coverage. but i need a primer!
thanks
Posted by: jesskate // Tue, 11 January 2011 11:17am
I have been searching for a good powder for years…any suggestions?
Posted by: NatMon Master Fan // Tue, 11 January 2011 12:14pm
I don’t know about Gel Primers, but Smashbox do great oil free primers. I use their Photo Finish Light Primer and I really love it. It’s also 60% water, so feels amazing.
My friend, who is also crazy about Smashbox, said that they do this great product called Anti-Shine and it is a powder-gel that goes under foundation and is great for oily to really oily skin. It gives a long lasting matte finish and also absorbs surface shine.
Also jesskate, MAC do great powders.
Posted by: Bantam Master Fan // Tue, 11 January 2011 05:05pm
I used the powder trick before, but at the moment I am using Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF 30+.I love it because it doesn’t have the shine factor most sunscreen moisturisers have. As primers go, I’m using Laura Mercier’s mineral primer and I find that it works a treat for controlling that shiny t-zone.
Posted by: xKMS Master Fan // Tue, 11 January 2011 11:08pm
invisible zinc ftw!
Posted by: kelkel Enthusiast // Wed, 12 January 2011 11:41am
I’ve used the ‘Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30+’ and I found it to be good, but a little bit expensive for all over body use. I use Palmer’s Moisturiser (with SPF 15+) everyday on my face and chest, and UV Kids Everyday sunscreen on my body. For some reason the kids formula is less greasy and sticky!
Posted by: jeffy Master Fan // Wed, 12 January 2011 07:31pm
Revlon’s Beyond Natural range has a great gel primer! It feels really different to normal primers
Not sure if it has SPF but its great under sunscreen anyway!
Posted by: melmeko Master Fan // Wed, 12 January 2011 10:02pm
I would never have thought that a Neutrogena would be the answer to my sunscreen dilemma, after trying numerous high end brands that all leave me looking like I just popped out of the deep fryer, I was thrilled when I tried this one and it actually did stay matte, extremely impressed for a supermarket brand, would definitely recommend any oily skin beauties give this a shot, you will be pleasantly surprised
Posted by: Kbeard Enthusiast // Thu, 13 January 2011 10:44am
I use the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch lotion every day. It sits perfectly under my mineral makeup and is very afforable. I would recommend it to anyone!
Posted by: muso Master Fan // Thu, 13 January 2011 03:30pm
Make Up For Ever does a great anti-shine powder. Pity it’s not available in Australia….
Posted by: laurenb Enthusiast // Fri, 14 January 2011 02:25pm
I love Invisible Zinc but I do find that it does leave me shiny, but pressed powder fixes that right up.
Posted by: natbee Newbie // Fri, 14 January 2011 03:44pm
I’m off to try the Nutrogena now!
Posted by: Shaybear Devotee // Wed, 19 January 2011 02:03pm
Excellent article! I have oily oily OILY skin, especially in the t-zone and these are great hints and tips. Love it!
Posted by: Karrie // Mon, 7 February 2011 07:42pm
Is there such a thing as a SPF powder? Tinted moisturisers containing SPF just make me look too made-up/
Posted by: sumaya Master Fan // Wed, 9 March 2011 01:22pm
I love Neutrogena and this lotion is such a great product.
Posted by: strawbsundae Master Fan // Thu, 17 March 2011 04:50pm
i always get shiny from sunscreen applied to my face. that’s why i rely on spf foundations.
Posted by: Lucy // Mon, 21 March 2011 01:01pm
Karrie – Clinique do an SPF powder called ‘Almost Powder’. Also decent mineral powders will provide SPF protection also.
Posted by: ashleetd87 Enthusiast // Mon, 21 March 2011 02:11pm
Smashbox do a great gel based primer – It doesnt say oil free on it – but I have really oily skin and I never have a problem with shine when I use this one!
Posted by: SorayaRosalie Enthusiast // Sat, 2 April 2011 04:38pm
I use invisible zinc but it definitely makes my skin a little oilier.
Posted by: brookeemma Enthusiast // Tue, 17 May 2011 09:52am
I’ll have to try the neutrogena cream next time. I’ve been using Nivea light veil 30+ which is great but I’d like to know I’m using the best product. I’m on the hunt for a powder too, I’ve heard brilliant things about makeup forever’s HD powder but its so hard to find!
Posted by: michaelaa Enthusiast // Wed, 25 May 2011 03:39pm
exactly what I was looking for. thanks! great tips
Posted by: Louise-1295043242 Master Fan // Sat, 25 June 2011 11:32am
would love to find an SPF primer, that would be a great additional to the make up bag!
the invisible zinc sunscreens are too oily for my face
.. i use ThatGal as a primer sometimes over the sunscreen, which seems to reduce the oilyness (but not sure if this decreass the effectiveness of the sunscreen?)
if i am having breakouts I have to skip my Beauty Flash balm as it can be a little too greasy..gels are good to use when you are having breakouts, stops them getting worse!
Posted by: chicklet Devotee // Mon, 27 June 2011 10:36pm
The Neutrogena Dry Touch sunscreen is great and there are some other great non-shiny sunscreens on the market.
Posted by: misschris Master Fan // Sun, 16 October 2011 02:43pm
I love my ASAP daily moisturiser with added SPF30+ it’s also broad spectrum which is what I really need. Leaves no greasey residue and keeps shine at bay til mid arvo which is good. Add a setting powder and no shine at all!!