Your SPF Moisturizer Is Missing Your Eyelids, a Study Shows
UV imaging caught what your mirror can't: SPF moisturizers leave a surprising amount of your eyelid area — a high-risk skin cancer zone — unprotected.
A 2019 PLoS One study (Lourenco et al.) found people missed 20.9% of the eyelid region when using SPF moisturizer versus 14.0% with dedicated sunscreen, leaving a high-skin-cancer-risk zone underprotected.
The study authors observe that SPF moisturizers are applied less thoroughly than sunscreens, particularly around the eyelids — an area where skin cancers can be especially difficult to treat.
Questions we get a lot
Is an SPF moisturizer as good as sunscreen?
Coverage-wise, the evidence suggests it falls short. A 2019 PLoS One study found people left 20.9% of the eyelid region uncovered with SPF moisturizer versus 14.0% with dedicated sunscreen. The eyelid area is also a high-risk zone for skin cancer, so the gap matters.
How do I protect my eyelids from the sun?
Apply a dedicated sunscreen carefully and deliberately around the eye area, and pair it with UV-blocking sunglasses and shade. The PLoS One study showed people consistently miss the eyelid region, so slowing down and being thorough there helps. Sunglasses add coverage where applying product is awkward.
r/SkincareAddiction: 'Is my SPF moisturizer enough on its own, or am I missing spots I can't even see?'