Should You Apply Moisturiser Before or After Sunscreen?
Overview
Key facts
- Sunscreen and moisturiser are the two most essential skincare products to use in your daily skincare routine.
- In most instances, you should apply sunscreen after facial moisturiser as the last step in your routine
- For optimal sun protection, use a high SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen and reapply every two hours.
- Some moisturisers are formulated with SPF to provide hydration and sun protection in one. If you wear makeup, remember to allow your skin to dry before moving on to your makeup routine.
Understanding the role of sunscreen and moisturiser
No matter your skin type, it’s important you understand the basics of using sunscreen and moisturiser. Below we’ve answered a few of the most common questions, starting with:
What goes first: sunscreen or moisturiser?
Sunscreen should be the last step of your daily skincare routine, after your mosituriser has been fully absorbed into the skin. However, every moisturiser and sunscreen product will have its own set of instructions, so it’s important to always read the label carefully and follow directions.
Do I need to use both moisturiser and sunscreen?
Yes, you should use both moisturiser and sunscreen in your daily routine as they serve different functions. A moisturiser, as the name implies, is designed to moisturise and hydrate. When used consistently, they can help enhance your skin’s hydration and help your skin retain moisture.
Sunscreen, on the other hand, helps protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays, which can cause premature skin aging and skin cancer. Sunscreens will have either a chemical filter (absorbs and scatters the sun’s rays) or mineral filter (blocks and reflects the sun’s rays), or both, to protect the skin from UV rays that can have both long term and short-term effects. While some products are formulated as both a sunscreen and a moisturiser, both are necessary to maintain the skin’s condition.
CeraVe Tip: When choosing a sunscreen product, look for formulas that are broad-spectrum (meaning they help protect against UVA and UVB rays) and contain SPF 50. Sunscreen products must be reapplied at least every two hours for effective sun protection.
Should I apply sunscreen or moisturiser before makeup?
If you wear makeup, it’s best to apply it after your moisturiser and sunscreen. This is because sunscreen is most effective when it’s applied onto clean skin. Once you’ve applied your moisturiser and sunscreen (or moisturiser with SPF), wait a few minutes for your skin to dry before following with makeup.
Can I use makeup with SPF instead of sunscreen lotion?
The SPF in makeup products likely isn’t enough to fully protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays. It’s still essential to wear sunscreen every day even if your makeup products contain SPF. Applying sunscreen before your makeup routine (and reapplying at least every two hours) can also help ensure your skin is protected even if your makeup rubs off throughout the day.
Can I just combine my moisturiser and sunscreen?
Moisturisers and sunscreens should be applied separately, per the instructions on the packaging. However, there are hybrid formulas available that combine both SPF and moisturiser in one. Just make sure that your facial moisturiser with sunscreen contains an SPF value of 50 or above and includes broad-spectrum protection. And, just like a standard face sunscreen, moisturisers with SPF should also be reapplied at least every two hours for proper sun protection.
For all skin types: CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion with SPF 50
If you’re after facial moisturiser with sunscreen, we recommend starting with our Facial Moisturiser with SPF 50. Suitable for all skin types, this daytime multitasker covers all your bases, delivering hydration and helping to protect your skin from UV rays in a single step.* And, like all CeraVe products, it’s developed with dermatologists, fragrance-free, and allergy-tested.
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND 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 before and after swimming, towelling and perspiring in accordance with directions.