Gwyneth Paltrow Shares Her Skincare Routine – Sparks Sunscreen Debate!
Fact Checked By Skin Formulations
| May 10, 2021
Actress and entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow shared her skincare routine in a recent video posted by a popular digital magazine. The actress supports clean and non-toxic beauty products, and this video featured some of her skincare staples.
Gwyneth started her skincare routine by applying hydrating eye patches that soothe and refresh the undereye area. She went on to massage her face with a sculpting tool while the eye patches worked their magic. Gwyneth then applied a rich moisturizer to nourish and soften her skin.
After the moisturizer, Gwyneth dotted very little sunscreen on her nose and cheekbones and blended it with her fingers. She then applied a lotion on top for a hint of glow.
Is Gwyneth’s Sunscreen Application Method Correct?
While applying a minimal amount of sunscreen on the high points of her face, Gwyneth said that she avoids slathering sunscreen all over her body because it is full of harsh chemicals. This statement evoked several responses online where people shared their views on sunscreen.
One Instagram user commented under the video that the use of sunscreen like a highlighter should not be promoted. Another user agreed and also recommended using at least 1/4th teaspoon sunscreen all over the face daily.
Are Sunscreen Ingredients Harmful?
Sunscreen is the most effective line of defense against skin cancer and photoaging caused by UV rays. However, the safety of sunscreen ingredients has been a topic of discussion for years now. This is perhaps what Gwyneth was referring to.
Chemical sunscreens contain ingredients such as Oxybenzone and Octinoxate. Some literature claims that these ingredients can cause health issues when absorbed into the bloodstream.
There are also claims that when rinsed off with water, these chemicals enter the oceans and can damage coral reefs. Mineral sunscreens with physical filters such as Zinc Oxide are often touted as safer alternatives to chemical sunscreens.
However, according to dermatologists that jumped into the discussion after Gwyneth’s video, the use of sunscreen only on the high points of the face is dangerous. Dermatologists recommend using a generous amount of sunscreen all over the face and neck as these areas are at the highest risk of skin cancer. One dermatologist went on to say that it is safer to apply too much sunscreen than too little.
So, the verdict on the matter seems to be that you should slather your sunscreen instead of dotting it.
Everyone needs to be diligent while applying sunscreen!
