No matter your skin type or age, any dermatologist or skincare enthusiast will tell you that it is crucial to apply sunscreen every day. This also applies to those who wear makeup.

Whether you should apply SPF or moisturizer first depends on whether the sunscreen is physical or chemical. Both are effective, but these tips can help you make the most of your products.

The ingredients of physical (or mineral) sunscreen like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are meant to sit on top of the skin and block the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays from penetrating the skin.

Physical sunscreen basically acts as a shield, so moisturizer can block it if it is applied last. You can also accidentally wipe some of the physical sunscreen off when you put moisturizer on last.

Ingredients such as avobenzone, octinoxate and oxybenzone absorb the sun’s rays, convert them into heat and release it from the skin. This means they should be applied first so they can absorb properly.

Physical (Mineral) Sunscreen Pros and Cons

Chemical Sunscreen Pros and Cons

Sunscreen is considered a separate layer that should not be combined with others. Moisturizers with sunscreen are okay, but they should be paired with a separate layer of sunscreen.

Moisturizer is often the first step when applying makeup. Sunscreen should also be a first step; apply the moisturizer, then the sunscreen as normal. Finally, apply your makeup.

The general consensus among dermatologists is that you should use sunscreen with at least a sun protection factor (SPF) 30. According to Ispy, “broad spectrum coverage” is also an important aspect to consider.

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