When to apply sunscreen before or after moisturizer? A Derm Tells You Exactly How to Use SPF

Applying multiple products is typically part of a daily skin care routine. Moisturizers and sunscreens must be used every day, regardless of your skin goals, even though some of these items can be utilized or ignored.

Knowing how and when to use your skin care products will help you get the most benefit, whether you spend the day outside or indoors. Therefore, if you’re still not sure whether to use your moisturizer or your sunscreen first, this article will help you sort it out.

Can I mix my moisturizer and sunscreen together?

Even though it can seem like a good idea to combine your moisturizer and sunscreen into one magic potion, it actually might be less effective. You don’t want to take a chance with sun protection by combining your sunscreen and moisturizer into a hybrid product because that could lead to the formulae not performing as tested and, thus, as intended.

However, there is a solution if you do want to multitask: moisturizer with SPF. This particular sort of moisturizer is designed to moisturise your skin and shield it from the sun’s UV radiation.

What about a moisturizer with SPF?

A product that serves two purposes—moisturizing your skin and providing sun protection? Please, yes. However, it seems likely that the SPF 15 lotion isn’t helping anything. According to Dr. Turegano, sunscreen is safe as long as it provides wide spectrum coverage and an SPF of 30 or above. The best of both worlds—skin-loving ingredients and UV protection—are yours when you choose a moisturizer with SPF.

But hold on, why broad spectrum and SPF 30? Let’s dissect it a little further: The term “SPF” (sun protection factor) describes the amount of time you have before UVB rays begin to cause harm, such as sunburns, redness, and the development of skin cancer. The minimal number that a derm recommends is 30, in terms of quantity.

It’s also crucial to remember that skin requirements change depending on the time of year, hormones, age, and a variety of other environmental factors. Your skin might be more sensitive in the spring or dry in the winter. This implies that you’ll probably need different moisturizers at different times, and it may be difficult to find one that offers sufficient hydration and UV protection.

Which should you apply first–sunscreen or moisturizer?

The type of sunscreen you are applying will largely determine the answer to this inquiry. The majority of specialists will suggest applying chemical sunscreen directly to your skin. This will improve the chemicals’ absorption and increase the efficiency of the sun protection. Applying moisturizer first, then putting on a chemical sunscreen, can function as a barrier, preventing the sunscreen from penetrating your skin and doing its job.

It is preferable to apply physical sunscreens as your top layer since they act as a barrier that deflects UV radiation away from your skin. Apply your moisturizer and other skincare products before applying the sunscreen if you’re using a physical sunblock. Which product should be used first is still up for debate. Prior to selecting one of the two, it is important to take into account how the moisturizer will impact the performance of the specific sunscreen. To find out the current health of your skin and get the items that would work best for it, you may either contact a dermatologist or complete the AI-enabled quiz on SkinKraft.

How Long Should I Wait Between Applying Sunscreen & Moisturizer?

In your skin care routine, your moisturizer and sunscreen each have a special function. While your sunscreen shields you from the sun’s damaging rays, a moisturizer stops your skin from losing moisture. Therefore, it is best to avoid mixing them together or using them one after the other for each product to work as intended.

Whether you apply your moisturizer or sunscreen first, give yourself a 15 to 20 minute window of time in between the two. This will give the first product you apply time to thoroughly sink into your skin before you apply the second. In this manner, the sunscreen and moisturizer won’t interact negatively or hinder one another’s effectiveness.

Is it necessary to apply moisturizer before sunscreen?  

In your skin care routine, your moisturizer and sunscreen each have a special function. While your sunscreen shields you from the sun’s damaging rays, a moisturizer stops your skin from losing moisture. Therefore, it is best to avoid mixing them together or using them one after the other for each product to work as intended.

Whether you apply your moisturizer or sunscreen first, give yourself a 15 to 20 minute window of time in between the two. This will give the first product you apply time to thoroughly sink into your skin before you apply the second. In this manner, the sunscreen and moisturizer won’t interact negatively or hinder one another’s effectiveness.

Finally, please reapply sunscreen every 80 minutes if you’ve been swimming or perspiring, or every two hours otherwise. If you’ve had your sunscreen for a while, make sure it’s still in good condition to guarantee that you always get the maximum amount of protection.