Published: February 15, 2025
Sometimes, skincare trends can be great. They provide innovation and excitement, not only to the industry as a whole but also to individual skincare routines. Trying out new trends is always a fun way to add a little something extra to a routine that has started to feel drab and boring.
However, not all skincare trends should be followed. Some, like sunscreen contouring, can be downright dangerous, so much so that dermatologists are strongly advising people to avoid this trend at all costs. If you’ve been tempted to give this one a try, keep reading as CBGärdN discusses how this trend will only end up harming your skin.
What is Sunscreen Contouring?
Sunscreen contouring is a trend that first went viral on TikTok and has now taken the internet by storm…but this isn’t a good thing! This trend stems from the recent obsession with makeup contouring, which involves using different products to create shadows and highlights on specific areas of the face. The way in which this mimics natural shadows adds definition and dimension to the face.
Sunscreen contouring follows a similar concept. However, instead of creating those shadows with makeup, it’s done with sunscreen. SPF is applied on the parts of the face where a highlighter or concealer would normally be used. The rest of the face is then left bare, without any sunscreen. The purpose of this is for the sun to then tan the unprotected areas of the face, while the parts that do have sunscreen will remain lighter in color. Enthusiasts of this trend claim that this creates a naturally chiseled look.
Sunscreen contouring isn’t solely done on the face either. Some TikTokers have been doing this on their abdomens too in an attempt to create the appearance of a six-pack.
The fact that this trend began with a celebrity endorsement is what perhaps helped to fuel its popularity. Gwyneth Paltrow showcased this skincare technique in a video, after which Beyonce’s makeup artist also raved about it. This spurred others on to give it a try too, without first thinking about the far-reaching consequences that this trend can have on their skin and overall health.
What’s the Problem With Sunscreen Contouring?
The biggest issue with sunscreen contouring is that excluding certain areas of your face when applying SPF leaves those areas vulnerable to sun damage. It may not seem this way at first. After all, you’re only slightly tanning those areas instead of allowing them to burn. However, tanning in itself is a form of sun damage. The only reason your skin turns darker is because your skin is desperately trying to produce as much melanin as possible to protect itself from those UV rays.
With the sun being responsible for so many skin concerns, this isn’t going to do your complexion any favors in the long run. Even a small amount of UV radiation will cause DNA damage to your skin cells. Not only will this leave you more prone to premature wrinkles, sagging skin, and dark spots, but the more sun exposure you have, the more likely you’ll be to develop skin cancer later on in life.
Plus, sunscreen contouring usually doesn’t even work properly anyway! While proponents of this trend claim that it provides a flawless ‘snatched’ finish, this doesn’t actually tend to be the case. There’s no way to control how the sun hits your face. Reflections from buildings, sidewalks, water, sand, and more will affect how and where those rays touch your skin. Some areas of the face are also more prone to developing melanin than others, making that perfectly even and contoured look almost impossible to achieve.
What About Contouring With Two Different Sunscreens?
Thankfully, the intensity at which dermatologists have been dissuading people from trying this trend has been gaining some attention. More and more people are now becoming aware of how dangerous sunscreen contouring can be.
However, in an attempt to follow this trend in a safe manner, an offshoot trend has emerged. Rather than leaving some areas of the skin bare while others are protected, some people are now trying this trend with two different sunscreens. They apply a base layer of an SPF 15-20 sunscreen across the entirety of the face and then dab a higher SPF sunscreen onto the areas that they want to see highlighted.
Again, this isn’t advisable. Sure, it’s better than leaving some parts of your face completely unprotected. However, SPF 15-20 isn’t enough to provide sufficient protection to your skin. Plus, as we mentioned earlier, any sort of tanning is a sign of sun damage. Doing this intentionally will only speed up the rate at which your skin ages while also contributing to the development of skin cancer.
Using Sunscreen Correctly and Safely
If you want your skin to look and feel its very best, sun protection needs to be done properly. This means opting for a product that offers a minimum SPF of 30. This is what’s generally recommended by dermatologists for most skin types. The exception is those with severely sensitive skin – this skin type often requires extra protection.
In order for your sunscreen to work in the way that it should, it also needs to be applied to the face evenly. A thin layer that only slightly coats your skin isn’t going to cut it. Ideally, you need to apply about half a teaspoon of sunscreen to your face, or the equivalent of a shot glass full if you’re covering your body too.
The issue that many people have with this is that sunscreens often feel heavy and greasy. Many formulas also leave a white cast on the skin – not a good look!
One solution is to opt for an SPF moisturizer, like the CB Multi-Active Moisturizer With SPF 30. Because this cream is designed to look and feel just like a moisturizer, rather than a sunscreen, it doesn’t weigh the skin down or leave it looking ghostly. It has a silky consistency that allows it to easily spread across the skin, after which it quickly sinks in. Better yet, SPF moisturizers offer additional benefits too. Not only will they protect against UV damage but this formula, for instance, is packed with antioxidants and hydrating ingredients. From aloe vera to green tea, these ingredients will counter the appearance of sun damage while giving your skin a smoother and firmer feel.
Achieving a Contoured Look Without Resorting to Sunscreen Contouring
So, if you want your face to look defined and beautifully contoured but aren’t willing to risk your skin in the process, what’s the solution?
Start With Your Skincare Routine
Since you want to prioritize the health of your skin, you should always start with your skincare routine. This should begin with a cleanser – ideally, one that will gently cleanse your skin rather than irritating it. After all, you want your skin to look chiseled and bronzed, not red and blotchy! The CB Facial Cleanser provides exactly that, with a number of ingredients that will keep your skin barrier feeling supported and energized.
Then, move on to hydrating your skin. Giving your skin some extra moisture will immediately leave it looking plumper and more voluminous. This is exactly what you need if you’re planning on defining your facial features. Skin that looks droopy and wrinkled will only make this job so much harder. The CB Replenishing Serum features one of the best hydrating formulations around. It’s packed with humectants, including sodium hyaluronate and peptides. These ingredients have moisture-binding properties, enabling them to work quickly and efficiently at hydrating the skin.
Finally, round off your routine with the SPF moisturizer we discussed earlier. Its multi-tasking nature saves you from having to use two separate products at this stage, making your skincare routine so much more convenient.
Contouring Your Face
There are a few different ways to approach contouring, without needing to damage your skin in the process! If you’re trying to go makeup-free, a self-tanner can be a useful alternative. This is a great product for contouring around the cheekbones and temples. If you really want to go all out, you could even give this a try with two different self-tanners. Pick one that’s slightly darker than the other and you’ll be able to create such a wide range of gradients.
Another option is a bronzing stain. Unlike a temporary bronzer, which often washes off with sweat, a bronzing stain has more staying power. It’s applied in the same way as a regular bronzer. Just spend some extra time feathering out those edges to ensure that you don’t end up with any overly harsh lines or angles.
Of course, you could also simply turn to regular contouring products. These will give you the most control over your finished look, unlike the unpredictability of sunscreen contouring. If you’re new to contouring, pick creamy contour products as these tend to be the easiest to apply. Sure, you may need a few practice sessions to really master your technique but it shouldn’t take long for you to get the hang of things! You’ll soon be able to define, lift, and polish your complexion just like a pro!
Knowing Which Skincare Trends to Avoid
When you first hear about an intriguing skincare trend, it can be so tempting to immediately rush out, buy what you need, and give it a try as soon as possible. However, you need to remember that not all trends have your skin’s best interests at heart. Sure, some may provide a seemingly perfect solution to an issue that you’ve been struggling with but you need to consider the long-term effects of those trends too.
When it comes to sunscreen contouring, those long-term effects can be heartbreaking. Give this trend a go and not only will you be leaving your skin more susceptible to skin cancer, but sun damage and accelerated skin aging will become big problems too. Do it regularly and you’ll soon find that the darker and unprotected areas of your face turn wrinkled and loose much sooner than the areas that have been protected with sunscreen. This is a trend that you’ll very much regret following in the future, making it worth staying well away from now!
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