UV cameras don't show SPF

🙋🏻 I'm Michelle, a chemistry PhD, cosmetic chemist and science educator, here to explain how beauty products work, debunk myths, and help you make smarter decisions about your skincare, hair and makeup!

[queenbey]

Aren't those cameras just to help people ensure they didn't miss a spot

[prismological]

Ugh! It’s so frustrating because spf sticks are the only thing I haven’t tried for protection around my eyes. Everything else including mineral sunscreen for babies/sensitive skin irritates them

[JustSomeSuy]

You can't check SPF, but you can check if you have effective protection right? As long as it's a shade near SPF 15, you're already blocking 93% of photons right?

[artemsokolov]

this is because spf 15 is already pretty strong - it reduces 93.3% of UV, so you with such camera just cannot differentiate betweed 93% and 95+%

UPD: this is probably wrong

[mignonalverson]

😂😂😂😂😂 20 swipes and my face would be raw af.

[lowelle]

SPF 15 is the minimum amount of SPF required on your skin to make sure you're protected from the sun!!! That's why they make SPF 30+ sunscreen cause even if you apply only a thin layer you're still getting the minimum requirement of SPF 15!!! If you were to use a product with only SPF 15 then you'd get a SPF total of around 6~8 which isn't enough.

[sopek]

I was just about to buy such compact camera. Guess ill pass.

[leniboda]

what if you use the stick for reapplication over makeup?i swear, skincare is making me obsessive/anxious.

[suzubee]

20 swipes is a lot! I would have definitely used too little of stick sunscreens

[dontmindme]

Can you please do a video on reef safe sumscreens and which sunscreens are the most environmentally friendly? Like does it matter if I'm not going in the ocean?

[strikerwoman]

I can’t imagine panicking about sunscreen every day.

[Mrgan-C]

so how do we know how much sunscreen to actually use? any tips?

[sunkissedkhala]

So how do you know you need 20 swipes? Why not make a more concentrated formula?

[imranfsal]

Can you use uv camera to show how long it stays on skin?

[Rachaelshaw]

Show us how you check SPF very interested

[vegahimsa]

Guys ultimately- some spf is better than none. So as much as I find this helpful- who in their right mind is going to layer TWENTY layers of sunscreen stick lmao??

[bobruisk]

Hmmm… I definitely can differentiate them

[veronicamaine]

The difference between spf 15 and 50 is quite small, 93% vs 98% UV block, so I wouldn’t freak out about it that much.

[Jay-igc]

SPF 15 blocks 90%. SPF 30 blocks 95%. SPF 50 blocks 97%. Even if you only apply enough to get spf 15, you’re fine. These sunscreens cost $20-$30…

[leftthatbehind]

It can still be helpful to see if you missed a spot.