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SHOULD YOU APPLY SUNSCREEN BEFORE OR AFTER MOISTURISER?
Reviewed By Priya Bhatti
5 min read
The more we learn how skincare can benefit us, the more our multi-step skincare routines, well, multiply. Building a base that targets your concerns and skin type is a protective and strengthening measure that ensures your skin will look and feel its best, even as we grow older. However, your routine order needs to be properly considered for those products to work effectively. Knowing whether moisturiser or sunscreen goes first is essential to making sure you are properly protected from the harsh Australian sun.
The correct combination and sequence of your sunscreen with other skincare products will prevent harmful sun damage from UVA and UVB rays, reduce the risk of skin cancer, and protect against premature ageing.
To understand where you should place sunscreen in your skincare routine, as well as the way you should be applying it, read our comprehensive guide below.
WHEN TO APPLY SUNSCREEN IN YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE
Though we’re all familiar with the importance of sunscreen use in Australia, knowing which step sunscreen should be in your skincare routine can be tricky. Your face routine is all about knowing which ingredients require access to permeate the deeper layers of skin, and which help to build a protective barrier on our outer layer (called the epidermis). We’ve provided simple explanations on when to apply sunscreen in conjunction with your other products.
SUNSCREEN BEFORE OR AFTER MOISTURISER
An often-searched query is whether to apply sunscreen or moisturiser first. While older advice sometimes suggested splitting the routine based on ingredients, or chemical vs physical sunscreen, the current dermatological consensus is simple: Sunscreen should always be the last step in your skincare routine.
Whether you are using a chemical sunscreen (like the Anthelios Invisible Fluid) or a physical/mineral sunscreen, the mechanism is similar: the product needs to form a uniform, undisturbed film on the surface of your skin to provide adequate protection.
If you apply moisturiser over your sunscreen, you risk diluting the SPF and disrupting the protective barrier, leaving gaps where UV rays can penetrate. Therefore, apply your moisturiser first and allow it to fully absorb. Once your skin is dry to the touch, apply your sunscreen generously as the final layer.
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
Apply 20 minutes before sun exposure. Sunscreen is only one part of sun protection so wear protective clothing and seek shade. Avoid prolonged sun exposure. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming, towelling and perspiring in accordance with directions.
SUNSCREEN BEFORE OR AFTER SERUM
Serums contain potent ingredients like antioxidants and acids and must be fully absorbed into skin to do their best work. Chemical sunscreens have a similar compound structure to serums and should be used in conjunction with them. Use your chemical sunscreen last to make sure that UV rays are properly protected against.
The same applies for physical sunscreen.
EYE CREAM BEFORE OR AFTER SUNSCREEN
Eye creams are used to prevent and treat dark circles and puffiness and are also a premature-ageing preventative. Different eye creams have different levels of thickness, but even those with watery substances should go on before your chemical sunscreen. In much the same way, all eye creams, regardless of formulas, need to be applied before physical sunscreens.
CAN YOU MIX SUNSCREEN WITH MOISTURISER?
The simple answer to whether or not you can mix sunscreen with moisturiser is no. As a general rule of thumb, skincare products should never be mixed together because this dilutes the efficacy of the sunscreen.
HOW LONG SHOULD YOU WAIT TO PUT ON SUNSCREEN AFTER MOISTURISER?
To allow sunscreen to fully absorb, wait 20 minutes before sun exposure. This may seem like a time-consuming measure, but as sunscreen is arguably your most important skincare product, applying it correctly is worth the wait, so plan ahead.
TINTED VS UNTINTED SUNSCREEN
The choice between tinted and untinted sunscreen is a personal one. Unlike untinted sunscreen, tinted sunscreen provides light coverage alongside SPF protection. If you like achieving a more natural look than traditional foundations offer, tinted sunscreen might be a good option. Our tinted sunscreens are also non comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog pores. For those with acne-prone skin, they are a good alternative to full makeup.
THE IMPORTANCE OF DAILY APPLICATION
Staying across your skincare routine is integral to achieving your skincare goals. Most products take time and regular use to be fully effective, so make space each morning for your routine. Read below for answers on the daily application of moisturiser and sunscreen.
MOISTURISER
Include moisturiser in both your morning and evening routine. The concentrated hydration aids your epidermis to defend your skin against external irritants like the sun and pollutants, and actively rejuvenates and soothes. For those with oily and acne-prone skin, our Effaclar Duo+M Anti-Imperfections Moisturiser reduces breakouts and improves skin tone. Those with dry and sensitive skin should go for moisturisers that contain ceramides and vitamins for soothing, like our Toleriane Sensitive Facial Moisturiser.
SUNSCREEN
Sunscreen is an essential part of your morning skincare routine, but it also needs to be reapplied throughout the day. If you go outside or sit near a window at work or home, make sure to reapply your sunscreen every two hours.
If you found this article helpful, read on to learn more about skincare why you need to wear sunscreen every day.
RELATED SUN PROTECTION ARTICLES
- HOME >
- SKINCARE ADVICE >
- SUN SAFETY >
- SHOULD YOU APPLY SUNSCREEN BEFORE OR AFTER MOISTURISER?
SHOULD YOU APPLY SUNSCREEN BEFORE OR AFTER MOISTURISER?
Reviewed By Priya Bhatti
5 min read
The more we learn how skincare can benefit us, the more our multi-step skincare routines, well, multiply. Building a base that targets your concerns and skin type is a protective and strengthening measure that ensures your skin will look and feel its best, even as we grow older. However, your routine order needs to be properly considered for those products to work effectively. Knowing whether moisturiser or sunscreen goes first is essential to making sure you are properly protected from the harsh Australian sun.
The correct combination and sequence of your sunscreen with other skincare products will prevent harmful sun damage from UVA and UVB rays, reduce the risk of skin cancer, and protect against premature ageing.
To understand where you should place sunscreen in your skincare routine, as well as the way you should be applying it, read our comprehensive guide below.
WHEN TO APPLY SUNSCREEN IN YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE
Though we’re all familiar with the importance of sunscreen use in Australia, knowing which step sunscreen should be in your skincare routine can be tricky. Your face routine is all about knowing which ingredients require access to permeate the deeper layers of skin, and which help to build a protective barrier on our outer layer (called the epidermis). We’ve provided simple explanations on when to apply sunscreen in conjunction with your other products.
SUNSCREEN BEFORE OR AFTER MOISTURISER
An often-searched query is whether to apply sunscreen or moisturiser first. While older advice sometimes suggested splitting the routine based on ingredients, or chemical vs physical sunscreen, the current dermatological consensus is simple: Sunscreen should always be the last step in your skincare routine.
Whether you are using a chemical sunscreen (like the Anthelios Invisible Fluid) or a physical/mineral sunscreen, the mechanism is similar: the product needs to form a uniform, undisturbed film on the surface of your skin to provide adequate protection.
If you apply moisturiser over your sunscreen, you risk diluting the SPF and disrupting the protective barrier, leaving gaps where UV rays can penetrate. Therefore, apply your moisturiser first and allow it to fully absorb. Once your skin is dry to the touch, apply your sunscreen generously as the final layer.
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
Apply 20 minutes before sun exposure. Sunscreen is only one part of sun protection so wear protective clothing and seek shade. Avoid prolonged sun exposure. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming, towelling and perspiring in accordance with directions.
SUNSCREEN BEFORE OR AFTER SERUM
Serums contain potent ingredients like antioxidants and acids and must be fully absorbed into skin to do their best work. Chemical sunscreens have a similar compound structure to serums and should be used in conjunction with them. Use your chemical sunscreen last to make sure that UV rays are properly protected against.
The same applies for physical sunscreen.
EYE CREAM BEFORE OR AFTER SUNSCREEN
Eye creams are used to prevent and treat dark circles and puffiness and are also a premature-ageing preventative. Different eye creams have different levels of thickness, but even those with watery substances should go on before your chemical sunscreen. In much the same way, all eye creams, regardless of formulas, need to be applied before physical sunscreens.
CAN YOU MIX SUNSCREEN WITH MOISTURISER?
The simple answer to whether or not you can mix sunscreen with moisturiser is no. As a general rule of thumb, skincare products should never be mixed together because this dilutes the efficacy of the sunscreen.
HOW LONG SHOULD YOU WAIT TO PUT ON SUNSCREEN AFTER MOISTURISER?
To allow sunscreen to fully absorb, wait 20 minutes before sun exposure. This may seem like a time-consuming measure, but as sunscreen is arguably your most important skincare product, applying it correctly is worth the wait, so plan ahead.
TINTED VS UNTINTED SUNSCREEN
The choice between tinted and untinted sunscreen is a personal one. Unlike untinted sunscreen, tinted sunscreen provides light coverage alongside SPF protection. If you like achieving a more natural look than traditional foundations offer, tinted sunscreen might be a good option. Our tinted sunscreens are also non comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog pores. For those with acne-prone skin, they are a good alternative to full makeup.
THE IMPORTANCE OF DAILY APPLICATION
Staying across your skincare routine is integral to achieving your skincare goals. Most products take time and regular use to be fully effective, so make space each morning for your routine. Read below for answers on the daily application of moisturiser and sunscreen.
MOISTURISER
Include moisturiser in both your morning and evening routine. The concentrated hydration aids your epidermis to defend your skin against external irritants like the sun and pollutants, and actively rejuvenates and soothes. For those with oily and acne-prone skin, our Effaclar Duo+M Anti-Imperfections Moisturiser reduces breakouts and improves skin tone. Those with dry and sensitive skin should go for moisturisers that contain ceramides and vitamins for soothing, like our Toleriane Sensitive Facial Moisturiser.
SUNSCREEN
Sunscreen is an essential part of your morning skincare routine, but it also needs to be reapplied throughout the day. If you go outside or sit near a window at work or home, make sure to reapply your sunscreen every two hours.
If you found this article helpful, read on to learn more about skincare why you need to wear sunscreen every day.
RELATED SUN PROTECTION ARTICLES
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