Sweatproof my face
March 30, 2022 5:45 AM Subscribe
In this day and age, surely there is a way to keep my face from melting?!
I live in a city that has very high humidity and high temperatures for a minimum of four months a year. My office is back onsite, and I have a very long commute in crowded public transport to get to it. I like looking polished and want to protect my skin, but I have a very sweaty face - every brand of sunscreen + makeup drips/slips right off. What am I doing wrong and how do I fix this? Details under the fold.
I'm a woman in my mid-thirties, with oily/combination skin. My AM pre-work routine is as under -
Sunscreen, apply, rest for 15 mins, then pressed powder, some eyeshadow (blush etc won't stay on), mascara, eyeliner and lip balm (lipstick won't stay on under the mask either). Then primer, then wait again, then mask up and go out, praying that it'll stay in place.
It doesn't. My face feels hot with the heat that's peculiar to wearing sunscreen, I sweat under the mask like a maniac, and eventually reach work looking slightly racoon like. Even if I were to try to do the 'makeup' part of this AT work, I still need to get the sunscreen to stay on! How do I make this work?
Not residing in the US, but can look up ingredients or actives in recommendations to figure out dupes. Thank you!
I'm a woman in my mid-thirties, with oily/combination skin. My AM pre-work routine is as under -
Sunscreen, apply, rest for 15 mins, then pressed powder, some eyeshadow (blush etc won't stay on), mascara, eyeliner and lip balm (lipstick won't stay on under the mask either). Then primer, then wait again, then mask up and go out, praying that it'll stay in place.
It doesn't. My face feels hot with the heat that's peculiar to wearing sunscreen, I sweat under the mask like a maniac, and eventually reach work looking slightly racoon like. Even if I were to try to do the 'makeup' part of this AT work, I still need to get the sunscreen to stay on! How do I make this work?
Not residing in the US, but can look up ingredients or actives in recommendations to figure out dupes. Thank you!
Did you mean setting spray when you said primer? Setting spray is a last step, primer should go on after your sunscreen but before your makeup.
Have you experimented much with different sunscreens for your face? They're not all created equal and if your face is feeling hot after putting it on then that could be your skin reacting to it. There are lightweight sunscreens, matte sunscreens, sunscreens with different chemical filters. It's worth having a fancier separate facial sunscreen and keeping the cheaper stuff to slather on your body.
Once you find a sunscreen that's comfortable, I'd say to just apply your makeup at work. You could get some blotting papers to use before applying your powder (you can also use them during the day if you're feeling a bit sweaty).
posted by Adifferentbear at 6:34 AM on March 30, 2022 [4 favorites]
Have you experimented much with different sunscreens for your face? They're not all created equal and if your face is feeling hot after putting it on then that could be your skin reacting to it. There are lightweight sunscreens, matte sunscreens, sunscreens with different chemical filters. It's worth having a fancier separate facial sunscreen and keeping the cheaper stuff to slather on your body.
Once you find a sunscreen that's comfortable, I'd say to just apply your makeup at work. You could get some blotting papers to use before applying your powder (you can also use them during the day if you're feeling a bit sweaty).
posted by Adifferentbear at 6:34 AM on March 30, 2022 [4 favorites]
I've had luck with Korean and Japanese skincare and makeup, which are both formulated for very humid monsoon weather. I'm currently using MISSHA All Around Safe Block Soft Finish Sun Milk which is almost too matifying for me in non-humid weather.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 6:53 AM on March 30, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by I claim sanctuary at 6:53 AM on March 30, 2022 [5 favorites]
My face feels hot with the heat that's peculiar to wearing sunscreen
Mmm, I'm...not sure that's a thing? Sounds like your sunscreen actually is quite irritating to your skin, if you're feeling hot due to it.
If you are able to do some internet shopping where you are, I would recommend looking into Japanese sunscreen brands, which I find are very well adapted to heat and humidity. Especially sunscreen sticks, which are often mattifying in the way that primer is, so you could skip your primer step until you're at the office. Skin Aqua, Shiseido, and Privacy brands have all worked very well for my combo skin in hot sticky summers. Good luck!
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 6:58 AM on March 30, 2022 [9 favorites]
Mmm, I'm...not sure that's a thing? Sounds like your sunscreen actually is quite irritating to your skin, if you're feeling hot due to it.
If you are able to do some internet shopping where you are, I would recommend looking into Japanese sunscreen brands, which I find are very well adapted to heat and humidity. Especially sunscreen sticks, which are often mattifying in the way that primer is, so you could skip your primer step until you're at the office. Skin Aqua, Shiseido, and Privacy brands have all worked very well for my combo skin in hot sticky summers. Good luck!
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 6:58 AM on March 30, 2022 [9 favorites]
I turned out to be allergic to propylene glycol, which is an extremely common ingredient in moisturizers, sunscreens, etc. It would cause all kinds of unpleasantness.
posted by amtho at 7:10 AM on March 30, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by amtho at 7:10 AM on March 30, 2022 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Yes, apologies, I meant a setting spray, not a primer. I don't use a primer.
I've actually cycled through several brands of sunscreen and they all feel hot on the skin. The only difference is how oily/white cast-ey it feels and how quickly it slides off. That said, this brand does have propylene glycol. If that's the issue...rats.
posted by Nieshka at 8:02 AM on March 30, 2022
I've actually cycled through several brands of sunscreen and they all feel hot on the skin. The only difference is how oily/white cast-ey it feels and how quickly it slides off. That said, this brand does have propylene glycol. If that's the issue...rats.
posted by Nieshka at 8:02 AM on March 30, 2022
I also seem to have a reaction to an ingredient in most sunscreens that is not the sunscreen/active ingredient, but something more cosmetic. (Perhaps it was propylene glycol all along!). My reaction sounds like yours: I don't break out or get hives or any other sign of an allergic reaction, but I sweat profusely and it slides right off my face. "The heat that's peculiar to wearing sunscreen" is exactly how I would have described it. I didn't ever figure out exactly what the troublesome ingredient was, but I solved it by purchasing non-US sunscreens.
For the past few years I've ordered Biore Aqua Rich/Watery Essence sunscreen online and it's really the only thing that works for me. In your situation I would probably need to let it sit a little longer before doing a full face of makeup, but I've solved the issue with sunscreen itself. Fortunately, I've also found it to be really fantastic sun protection. I do use more traditional sunscreens on my arms/hands/chest or body, to save on the cost, and do not seem to have the same terrible reaction (or it's less bothersome on the body than the face).
Have you tested whether you have the same problem if you only have your sunscreen on and save some of the makeup steps for after you've arrived at work?
posted by neutralhydrogen at 8:14 AM on March 30, 2022 [3 favorites]
For the past few years I've ordered Biore Aqua Rich/Watery Essence sunscreen online and it's really the only thing that works for me. In your situation I would probably need to let it sit a little longer before doing a full face of makeup, but I've solved the issue with sunscreen itself. Fortunately, I've also found it to be really fantastic sun protection. I do use more traditional sunscreens on my arms/hands/chest or body, to save on the cost, and do not seem to have the same terrible reaction (or it's less bothersome on the body than the face).
Have you tested whether you have the same problem if you only have your sunscreen on and save some of the makeup steps for after you've arrived at work?
posted by neutralhydrogen at 8:14 AM on March 30, 2022 [3 favorites]
Paula's choice shine stopper is amazing.
Similar formulation, and potentially a tiny bit less expensive depending on where you live, is Effaclar Mat. It's a mattifying moisturizer. Both products are basically silicone-based sponges for oil. Both work well. I'm a 40-something guy who is very sweaty and oily and has to speak publicly all the time. I've picked up recommendations for both of these from the people who have to help me look presentable. I keep a little bottle of the Effaclar stuff in my toiletry bag when I travel, and it's been my friend.
Honestly, though, there's no magical solution if you're going to be sweating hard before work. I think the most sustainable solution is (if possible): sunscreen before you leave for the office, give yourself a bit of a splash and dry when you get to work and apply the face there, assess for touch-ups before leaving the office.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 9:15 AM on March 30, 2022 [2 favorites]
Similar formulation, and potentially a tiny bit less expensive depending on where you live, is Effaclar Mat. It's a mattifying moisturizer. Both products are basically silicone-based sponges for oil. Both work well. I'm a 40-something guy who is very sweaty and oily and has to speak publicly all the time. I've picked up recommendations for both of these from the people who have to help me look presentable. I keep a little bottle of the Effaclar stuff in my toiletry bag when I travel, and it's been my friend.
Honestly, though, there's no magical solution if you're going to be sweating hard before work. I think the most sustainable solution is (if possible): sunscreen before you leave for the office, give yourself a bit of a splash and dry when you get to work and apply the face there, assess for touch-ups before leaving the office.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 9:15 AM on March 30, 2022 [2 favorites]
If stopping facial sweat is what you want, how about something like Sweat Block? Several of my shaven-head friends who have to deal with excessive scalp sweat running down onto their faces in the summer use this product and it works well.
posted by slkinsey at 9:24 AM on March 30, 2022
posted by slkinsey at 9:24 AM on March 30, 2022
Oh, gosh yes, just seconding neutralhydrogen -- the Biore sunscreens were a lifesaver for me when I was having other problems with sensitive skin.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 10:29 AM on March 30, 2022
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 10:29 AM on March 30, 2022
For true staying power, lots of make-up artists use setting sprays on the intermediate layers of face prep and cosmetic products and not just on the final face. A matte setting spray will help with the oilyness.
The Biore Watery Essence sunscreen mentioned above is one of my absolute favorites. It's very light and very effective.
posted by quince at 10:49 AM on March 30, 2022 [1 favorite]
The Biore Watery Essence sunscreen mentioned above is one of my absolute favorites. It's very light and very effective.
posted by quince at 10:49 AM on March 30, 2022 [1 favorite]
I definitely know what you mean about the heat that sunscreens induce on the face! It feels like a mild allergic reaction and like my face got a coat of sealer on it. I just got some of the biore watery essence last week and it is so different from any other sunscreen I've used. I need to use moisturizer under it which I've never had to do with other sunscreens. It definitely has an alcohol scent that dissapears very quickly. After 5 minutes it feels like there is nothing on my face. No greasiness, no heat, no coating feeling. So I can't speak to the makeup part, but definitely try a different sunscreen.
posted by shmurley at 12:46 PM on March 30, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by shmurley at 12:46 PM on March 30, 2022 [3 favorites]
I would definitely switch sunscreens, and also add a mattifying primer to your routine. Nyx makes a good one, it's a dupe for Smashbox but is $8 instead of $35.
The secret trick is loose powder after sunscreen, then primer, then more loose powder, then a matte setting spray.
You can touch up with pressed powder during the day, and/or with primer since you don't have foundation on.
posted by ananci at 7:15 AM on March 31, 2022 [1 favorite]
The secret trick is loose powder after sunscreen, then primer, then more loose powder, then a matte setting spray.
You can touch up with pressed powder during the day, and/or with primer since you don't have foundation on.
posted by ananci at 7:15 AM on March 31, 2022 [1 favorite]
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Tubing mascara, not all are equal but they all do a much better job than waterproof mascara at staying put and avoiding the racoon situation.
Paula's choice shine stopper is amazing. Used that in 100F+ temperatures without AC at work and my face was nice and dry and my make up did not go anywhere. It goes on as last step.
Not sure I'd aim for suncreen to stay put. I might just settle to reapply on arrival but make sure to find one that does feel nice on the face and that you can bear to wear and keep re-applying. User the term 'cosmetically pleasing' when you search. Range of options depending on your skin type and preferences.
posted by koahiatamadl at 6:30 AM on March 30, 2022 [3 favorites]