Self-styled wellness guru Gwyneth Paltrow is coming under furious criticism from skincare experts for spreading ‘misinformation’ about SPF by documenting her own ‘completely ineffective’ method of applying sunscreen in a new beauty video for Vogue.
The 48-year-old actress and Goop founder is being blasted by dermatologists and estheticians alike after she revealed that she only applies SPF to her ‘nose and the area where the sun really hits’ while detailing her daily health and wellness routine for the magazine’s YouTube channel.
Within minutes of the video’s debut, experts had spoken out to warn against following Gwyneth’s advice about sunscreen – with one insisting that her SPF application is ‘completely ineffective’, while another branded her limited sunscreen use as ‘horrifying’.
The mom-of-two’s application has come under fire for two main reasons: her limited use, and her decision to sandwich her SPF between a face oil and a moisturizer.
Trouble: Gwyneth Paltrow is under furious fire from skincare experts for her paltry sunscreen application in a new Vogue beauty video
PSA: Several dermatologists and estheticians have spoken out against the 48-year-old’s SPF use – including New York-based derm Dr. Shereene Idriss
Warning: Celebrity esthetician Renee Rouleau blasted Gwyneth’s skincare regimen, warning that her SPF application is ‘completely ineffective’
Oh dear: As well as noting that Gwyneth does not use enough product, Renee also cautioned against the order that she applies her products, noting that oils can dissolve sunscreen
In the video – which begins with Gwyneth detailing some of her morning rituals like dry body brushing and – the Oscar winner explains that she uses a ‘clean’ SPF (the $29 Unsun Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30) because so many conventional brands contain ‘harsh ingredients.
She then admits that she is ‘not a head-to-toe slatherer of sunscreen’, explaining: ‘I like to put some on my nose and the area where the sun really hits,’ while dabbing the product on her nose and cheekbones.
Her casual application has prompted fury from skincare experts, with New York-based dermatologist Dr Shereene Idriss accusing Gwyneth of treating her SPF like a ‘highlighter’, while celebrity esthetician Renee Rouleau – who works with the likes of Demi Lovato and Lili Reinhart wrote on Instagram: ‘Her sunscreen game is completely ineffective.
‘Her sunscreen application is useless… barely uses any and mainly on the high points of the face.’
On her blog, Renee cautions that ‘sunscreen must be applied generously’, noting that you should make sure your SPF is spread thoroughly across your face ‘up and out to the hairline’, as well as on the ears, neck, and chest.
In response to Gwyneth’s video, Dr. Idriss shared her own SPF application tutorial in which she told the Goop founder: ‘This is how you use sunscreen… Protect your face. Ears. Neck. If [you’re] bald [use it on your] scalp. The back of your hands… Every nook [and] cranny!’
She then explained that you should use between 1/3 and 1/2 of a teaspoon of product for the face and neck.
Bit by bit: In the video, the Goop founder admits that she is ‘not a head-to-toe slatherer of sunscreen’, explaining: ‘I like to put some on my nose and the area where the sun really hits’
Where’s the rest? She is seen dabbing a small amount of product on her nose and cheeks
Guidelines: Dr. Idriss posted an SPF tutorial on Instagram in the wake of Gwyneth’s Vogue video – explaining that you should use between 1/3 and 1/2 teaspoon for the face and neck
Meanwhile, UK-based skincare guru and author Caroline Hirons labeled the lifestyle guru’s SPF use ‘horrifying’.
The British Skin Foundation also decried Gwyneth’s paltry sunscreen use, accusing her of helping to spread dangerous ‘misinformation’ about SPF, writing: ‘Concerning to hear @GwynethPaltrow’s thoughts on sunscreen application in @VogueMagazine.’
In an Instagram post, the BSF then quoted dermatologist Dr. Thivi Maruthappu, who warned: ‘Sunscreen misinformation has to stop, as dermatologists we see and treat skin cancer and pre-cancerous skin lesions daily. Proper use of high factor sun protection is absolutely necessary for the prevention of skin cancer.
‘The correct amount of sunscreen to achieve the SPF rating on the bottle is half a teaspoon for the face and neck for adults. Use two tablespoons for the rest of your body when wearing a swimming costume.⠀
‘In addition to SPF, other sun protection measures such as wearing a hat, seeking shade or protective clothing are important for the prevention of burning and skin cancer.’
As well as coming under fire for her limited application of sunscreen, Gwyneth also faced criticism from Texas-based skincare expert Renee for choosing to apply a face oil and a moisturizer before using her SPF – and then adding another face lotion on top of it.
‘Oils and moisturizers can dissolve away sunscreen and make them less effective,’ Renee warned.
Uh oh: Before applying her SPF, Gwyneth uses a face oil – the Active Botanical Serum by Vintner’s Daughter – which Renee warned can render sunscreen ‘less effective’
Big no no: She also uses a moisturizer before and after her SPF application, which Renee says will ‘dissolve away sunscreen’
Even YouTube commenters were appalled by Gwyneth’s cavalier use of SPF, with dozens of people calling her out over it.
‘I feel like she has 3 brain cells after the “I like to put sunscreen where the sun really hits” while putting it on her nose and cheeks only,’ one person wrote.
‘I guess she hasn’t realized that the sun be hitting her chest,’ another added, while a third chimed in: ‘Don’t even bother to apply sunscreen if you’re adding that little to your face, it’s not gonna do much.’
In a statement provided to Refinery 29, a spokesperson from Goop claimed that Gwyneth did in fact apply an appropriate amount of sunscreen – insisting that the video had been edited for ‘timing’s sake’ and therefore did not show her SPF use in full.
‘In the Vogue video, Gwyneth applies sunscreen to her entire face, though the video is edited down for timing’s sake and does not show the full application,’ the brand said.
‘Her comment specifically says she does not “slather it head to toe” over her entire body but she addresses the importance of sun protection and mineral sunscreen, which deflects rays off of your skin, rather than absorbing them, as chemical sunscreens do.
‘We’re huge proponents of SPF at goop and always advise that people should consult their dermatologists to find out what is right for them.’
Slather it on! Seven superb SPFs to protect you from sun damage
Supergoop! Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40 Sunscreen Serum ($46)