Sunscreen 101: Should You Apply Sunscreen Before or After Moisturiser/Makeup?

Sunscreen 101: When to Apply Sunscreen?

Summer is right around the corner and I thought of talking about the skincare product that we need the most in the upcoming months. It is Sunscreen. And, one of the most frequently asked questions about skin care that I get is about when to apply sunscreen. It is: Should I apply sunscreen before or after moisturiser or makeup?

apply sunscreen before or after moisturizer makeup — Sunscreen 101

If you want a one-word answer then it is – After moisturiser and before makeup.
You need to consider plenty of things to find the right place for a sunscreen in your skincare regime. One of the main things is the kind of sunscreen you have. Usually, a sunscreen comes in a lotion, cream or gel form that is supposed to be used on top of the skin (after you have used the skin care products) before you step out in the sun. It acts as an invisible veil against the UVA and UVB rays of the sun. A sunscreen is effective for a few hours before you need to reapply it.

What are SPF and PA?

The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) number printed on your sunscreen bottle is an indicator of this. For example, a sunscreen of SPF30 can protect your skin from the UVB rays of the sun for 5 hours while a sunscreen of SPF50 can protect your skin from the UVB rays of the sun for 6 hours. The PA factor signifies “the protection grade of UVA”. This factor signifies how potent the sunscreen is to protect your skin from the damage caused by the UVA rays of the sun. You need to reapply the sunscreen to protect your skin every few hours.
If you are going to use makeup, you must apply your sunscreen underneath makeup especially to create a base for the makeup. Some sunscreens work better under makeup than others. You need to use the right product for your skin type and the weather to get the most out of it. I have heard great things about the Shiseido sunscreens. Their Anessa sunscreen used to be my favorite when I was in South Korea.
If you are going to use a makeup or skin care product such as a tinted moisturizer, BB cream, etc. that contains sunscreen, you do not need to apply a separate product to protect your skin provided that you build the product sufficiently on the skin. In most of the cases, it is advisable to use sunscreen even if your makeup and other skincare products contain ingredients for sun protection.

Do you regularly use sunscreen? Which is your favourite sunscreen? Leave your comments below!