We’ve often wondered what the difference is between sun products body and face products and why the market offers specific products for each part of the body. The main difference between body and face sunscreen lies in the texture. sun products for the face are typically formulated with a silkier, less greasy texture, making these products lighter and therefore less comedogenic—meaning they’re less likely to trigger breakouts.
Let’s take a closer look.
The Difference Between Facial and Body Skin
Face: Facial skin tends to be thin; it is the most visible part of the body, prone to wrinkles and signs of aging. The dermis is delicate and vulnerable, constantly exposed to UV rays throughout the year—not just during the hottest months. For this reason, sunscreen should always be used as part of a proper facial skincare routine.
Like the rest of the skin, facial skin also plays an important role as a barrier against the external environment. But unlike the skin on most of the body, it is almost always in direct contact with environmental factors such as the sun and UV rays.
The skin around the eyes is even thinner and more delicate and requires appropriate care. The epidermis (the outer layer of the skin) is normally 0.1 mm thick; around the eyes, it ranges from 0 to 0.5 mm.
Body: The skin on the body is better protected, thicker, and less prone to wrinkles, but it is at risk for melanoma.
Face and body sunscreen products: differences in formulation.
Facial protection products:
In the laboratory, two objectives are pursued:
- Functional active ingredients: anti-photoaging, antioxidants, moisturizers, protective agents, SPF, boosters, tan-evening agents, non-comedogenic ingredients, backed by studies on facial use.
- The anti-photoaging effect is a different concept from anti-aging (chronological aging).
Photoaging: refers to damage caused by prolonged exposure to the sun’s rays. The effects can be of two types:
- User comfort: facial sunscreen with a richer or lighter texture, tested for glide and spreadability on the face, also ideal as a makeup base.
Visible effects: sunburn, irritation with blistering.
Chronic effects: premature aging, changes in pigmentation, dry skin.
Here are our recommendations:
MTJ SUN Line
DN4D SPF 50+ very high facial sun protection;
DN4D SPF 30 high-protection facial sunscreen.
Body protection products:
In the lab, we pursue two goals:
- Functional active ingredients: tan-evening agents, nourishing and emollient plant oils, antioxidants, and vasoprotective active ingredients (for legs and capillaries)
- User-Friendliness: textures designed to glide over the body—easily spreadable yet softer than those for the face—that reach every area even with a quick massage.
And now that we’ve discovered the difference between sun products face and body products, all that’s left is to take advantage of the offers from sun products Napura and MTJ and stock up for summer.
