Why Do I Sweat After Applying Sunscreen? How to Control?

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In this hot summer, applying sunscreen has become crucial in our daily routine. We know how vital it is to use sunscreen 3-4 times daily to prevent skin cancer and other diseases. However, after a while, we experience excessive sweating after using sunscreen. Often we blame the sunscreen for the sweating.

So why do I sweat after applying sunscreen? 

The reason is that our face sweat can not absorb the air quickly because of sunscreen’s thick texture. That’s why the drops of sweat gathered together and trapped under the product. So after using sunscreen, it appears that we sweat more. Usually, the amount of sweating depends on the consistency of applying the sunscreen.

Let’s find out more about why our faces sweat and how to prevent excessive oil production after using sunscreen.

Why Face Sweat After Applying Sunscreen?

The Relationship between sunscreen and sweat is very old. SPF or sunscreen smooths the skin’s surface, causing the drips to accumulate and become more significant on the skin. Smaller drops evaporate more quickly, although they take longer to dissipate. When this happens, you start to feel sweaty and notice that sweat is flowing down your face.

Sweating is not new, but excessive sweating after applying sunscreen can concern you a little. The amount of oil your skin produces depends on your skin type and whether you use sunscreen or moisturizer. Sweating glands are more active in oily skin than in dry skin.

Our skin produces tiny drops of sweat every time in any weather condition. When the sweat cannot escape from our skin, the little drops gather and create bigger drops of sweat. The thick consistency of sunscreen remains on the upper layer of your skin to prevent UV rays from getting inside of your skin. Hence, our sweat can not evaporate quickly from our skin because of that consistency.

Sometimes stress can activate our sweat glands, which can cause more sweating than average. Another reason for excessive sweating can be comedogenic sunscreen. Comedogenic products typically contain ingredients that cause pores to clog. Therefore, we experience more sweat than usual after putting sunscreen on.

So the final explanation is our skin type, and product ingredients are the reason for our face sweat after applying sunscreen. Higher humidity, your body temperature, and many more facts depend on the amount of your sweat.

How To Keep Sunscreen From Sweating Off?

As you know, sunscreen causes sweat on the face, which can be frustrating. So, how to stop sweating after applying sunscreen?

You may have been applying the wrong type of sunscreen for your skin type. Or you might have the wrong skincare routine that causes your face to produce more sweat. Let’s check out how to prevent your skin from excessive sweating after SPF:

Apply Antiperspirant 

Antiperspirants are topical therapies for hyperhidrosis that may be purchased without a prescription. It is a chemical substance that may lessen the amount of perspiration or sweating that the body produces. You have to put it on before applying sunscreen to the skin to stop sweating on the skin.

Traditionally, metallic salts aluminium chloride and aluminium chloro-hydrate are used in roll-on, spray, and powder formulations. These active components are what give these products their effects. 

Choose The Right Sunscreen

Choosing the right sunscreen with the right ingredients will make your skin less sweaty. Research has not shown that sunscreen causes sweating. Yet the sunscreen’s consistency can affect your skin’s oil production. So, how to choose the right sunscreen?

Ensure that it has the right ingredients before purchasing. Emollients are oil ingredients that cause the skin’s pores to clog. Emollients contain plant oil, heavy oils, and fatty acids that contribute to clogging the pores. Moreover, make sure your SPF is “water-resistant” or “sweat-resistant” to avoid being washed away by sweat.

If you have oily skin, choose a sunscreen with no thick texture. The texture of your sunscreen must be thin and runny so that your skin can absorb it easily and not cause sweat.

Apply Sunscreen Properly

Use one ounce, which is about equivalent to a handful, to cover your whole body. Apply to areas of your skin that are directly exposed to sunlight, such as your ears, back, and shoulders, as well as the back of your knees and your legs. Make sure it is applied evenly and completely. When putting sunscreen in the area around your eyes, use extreme caution.

Keep Your Skin Care Routine Minimal

Sometimes we overdo our skincare routine, which causes excessive sweating. Try to keep your skincare routine minimal if you have oily skin.

Use a water-based toner after you clean your skin with a cleanser. Then use a hyaluronic acid serum on damp skin to lock the moisture into your face. Use a gentle, non-sticky moisturizer that is lightweight. The sunscreen has to be the last part of your skincare routine.

Wash Face Two Times a Day

Washing the face only twice a day is enough for any skin type. Overwashing the face will cause the natural oil to be washed-out, and your skin starts to produce more oil. Just because your skin is oily does not mean you have to wash your face more than two times. The more you wash your skin, the more oil it will produce.

Remove Makeup Properly

Most of us sleep with our makeup on, which can clog our pores and produce excessive oil. Make sure you remove your makeup properly before sleeping and do the “double-cleansing Method”. 

How Often Do I Apply Sunscreen?

Not using and reapplying enough sunscreen can cause skin cancer and other issues. According to skin cancer facts, 1 in 5 Americans suffer from skin cancer by age 70. It means people in America are not concerned about the damage they can get from direct UV rays.

But how can we prevent skin cancer and other diseases? It’s simple. Use sunscreen with SPF50++ to prevent UV rays. People who sweat can get questions like: Does sweat removes sunscreen? The answer depends on the types of sunscreen you use. If it is water-proof” or “sweat proof”, sweating will not remove sunscreen. But regular sunscreen can be washed away easily by sweating.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying sunscreen every two hours while away from home. Some dermatologists recommend reapplying sunscreen every 80 minutes to get enough protection from sun damage. Even if you are sitting at your home, you should apply sunscreen consistently because the UV rays can enter through your Window.

FAQs

Why should I wear sunscreen every day?

Your daily exposure to ultraviolet rays puts you at increased risk for developing skin cancer and accelerating your skin’s ageing process. This sun damage begins to mount up over time. You may help protect yourself against skin cancer and other skin changes by applying sunscreen to your skin every day.

Is sunscreen sweat proof?

Not all sunscreen is sweatproof. Some brands have formulated sweatproof sunscreens so that they last longer. According to Dr Anna Chacon, a board-certified dermatologist, “sweatproof sunscreens tend to feature chemicals with adhesive activity,” which means that they stay to the skin and prevent water and sweat from washing them off.

Do I need to use a cleanser before applying sunscreen? 

You need to use a cleanser before applying sunscreen when it’s about the first application of the day. For the whole day, you don’t need to wash your face again. You can simply reapply it. But when you come back home, you must wash your face properly using a cleanser.  

Conclusion

Sweating is normal for everyone, but the amount of sweat varies person-to-person. Asking why do I sweat after applying sunscreen is normal because not all of us know the reason. But now you know why your face sweats after applying sunscreen. In this regard, you can follow the tips that we have provided in this article.

Taking care of our precious skin is necessary for both men and women. In particular, sunscreen is mandatory for all men and women, including kids. Moreover, choosing the right sunscreen is vital if you have dry or oily skin.