DO YOU APPLY SUNSCREEN BEFORE OR AFTER MOISTURIZER?

Hopefully, you follow a consistent routine to maintain your skin’s vitality, but are you layering your skincare products properly? Many people aren’t aware that the order of steps makes a difference when it comes to achieving the results that you’re after.

To best protect and preserve skin, do you apply sunscreen before or after moisturizer? Today’s post dives deep into the correct answer, with additional tips on how to optimize your twice-daily regimen for a radiant complexion.

WHAT GOES FIRST, SUNSCREEN OR MOISTURIZER?

Should you put on sunscreen or moisturizer first? In all honesty, it depends on several factors. We know, not the easy answer you were looking for—that’s because the answer isn’t exactly cut and dry—so let us elaborate.

Mainly, dermatologists are torn about whether you should apply sunscreen before or after moisturizer because of how moisturizer(or any other skincare product for that matter) can interfere with the effectiveness of your sun protectant. The concern is that when moisturizer is applied under sunscreen, it can create a barrier that prevents the sunscreen from penetrating the skin. However, when moisturizer is placed over sunscreen, it can interfere with how the sunscreen interacts with the sun. 

So, do you apply sunscreen before or after moisturizer? If you’re using a chemical sunscreen, it needs to be applied first. This is because chemical sunscreen needs to penetrate the skin in order to provide protection. 

However, if you’re using a physical sunscreen (also known as mineral sunscreen), sunscreen should be applied after moisturizer. We’ll go more in depth into how chemical and physical sunscreen work shortly. 

Keep in mind that putting sunscreen on before or after moisturizer is better than not putting it on at all. You never want to leave the house without sunscreen at least SPF 30 or higher.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHEMICAL VS PHYSICAL SUNSCREEN?

There are several key differences between chemical and physical sunscreen—from their composition and safety, to how they work.

Chemical sunscreens, as the name suggests, are made with a variety of chemical active ingredients, which can be irritating for sensitive skin. And if that’s not already alarming enough, chemical sunscreen works by penetrating the skin and absorbing UV radiation. This means that those chemical ingredients are making their way into your body. 

On the other hand physical sunscreen is made with mineral ingredients, which sit on top of the skin. This means that the sunscreen and it’s ingredients never penetrate the skin. Instead, mineral sunscreen creates a barrier between the skin and harmful UV rays, which are reflected away. For these reasons, mineral sunscreen is considered safer. 

Colorescience mineral sunscreen is made with natural active ingredients such as Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. Our safe sunscreen is available in a variety of application methods for convenient use. Try our Sunforgettable^® Total Protection^™ Brush-On Shield SPF 50 or Sunforgettable^® Total Protection^™ Sport Stick SPF 50 for easy application on the go.

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