If you wear makeup daily and care about protecting your skin, you’ve probably asked yourself this classic skincare question: “Should I apply my sunscreen before or after makeup?” It’s a common point of confusion and an important one, as the order in which you apply products can affect both sun protection and how your makeup looks throughout the day.

So, let’s clear things up in this article. Here’s when (and how) to apply sunscreen in your beauty routine for the best results.

Sunscreen Before or After Makeup? Always Before!

Talk to any dermatologist worth their salt, and they’ll typically have a cast-iron answer to whether you should wear sunscreen before or after makeup and spoiler alert: it’s always before. You need to think of it as the final step in your skincare routine and the first layer of sun protection. 

Why? Well, if you choose to put it on after makeup, you’ll struggle to create an even, protective layer on your skin’s surface. The bottom line is that your sunscreen can’t properly adhere to the skin when applied over makeup, meaning you’ll be less protected against the sun.

The Right Order: Skincare → Sunscreen → Makeup

So, now we know WHAT to do, here’s HOW to position your mineral sunscreen in your morning routine for the best effect:

1. Cleanse and moisturize – You need to start with a clean face, and follow this step with any serums or moisturizer you normally use. Be sure to give it a couple of minutes before doing anything else, so that it has time to set.
2. Apply your sunscreen – Next, use a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30. For your face, a dedicated facial sunscreen will be ideal, so long as it’s lightweight, non-greasy, and designed to wear well under makeup.
3. Let it set – At this point, you need to wait a minute or two for the sunscreen to settle, as this is going to help prevent pilling and give your makeup a smoother base.
4. Apply your makeup – Once you’re happy it’s set, you can start applying your makeup, which typically begins with primer, followed by foundation, and everything else.

This order ensures your sunscreen sits directly on your skin, giving it the best chance to protect you while also making sure your makeup goes on evenly. Great, so that’s the application done. What about the rest of the day?

How to Reapply Sunscreen Over Makeup

Of course, if you know anything about sunscreen, you’ll know that it needs to be reapplied every 2 hours that you’re exposed to the sun. Applying sunscreen in the morning only represents half the job, and if you’re outside or even exposed to sunlight through windows, reapplication every two hours is required.

But how do you reapply sunscreen without smudging your makeup? Try one of these options:

• Sunscreen sprays or mists – Look for face-specific formulas that won’t disturb your makeup. Also, when you use them, be sure to spray evenly and generously.
• The sponge or ‘pat-on’ method – Another option is to use clean hands or a beauty sponge to lightly dab sunscreen over your makeup, pressing instead of rubbing.

Sunscreen Before or After Makeup? Before Is Always Best

So, there you have it – a definitive answer. It’s always before! Apply it as the last step in your skincare routine and let it settle before moving on to makeup. It’s the only way to get protection and stay looking good all day. 

Just be sure to use the right formula, such as a lightweight mineral sunscreen. That way, you’ll get reliable protection without compromising your style. Hard to argue against, right?