Should You Apply Sunscreen Before or After Moisturizer?

By now, you’re probably aware of the importance of cleansing, moisturizing, and wearing sunscreen daily. But you may be unclear on whether you should apply sunscreen before or after moisturizer—it’s not, after all, always that cut-and-dry. Not all sunscreens are created equally, and with cream, powder, stick, liquid, and spray-on formulas to choose from, it can be tricky to determine just where in your routine your sunscreen fits. 

Lucky for you, we’ve taken away the guesswork—because sun safety isn’t something you should be hoping you’ve made the right call on. Below, find the definitive answer on whether you’re supposed to apply moisturizer or sunscreen first, plus discover some of the best SPF products to shop from L’Oréal Paris.

Should You Apply Sunscreen or Moisturizer First?

If you’re wondering, “Can I apply sunscreen after moisturizer?,” the answer is yes—and in many cases, you should. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to apply sunscreen after moisturizer as the final step in your skincare routine. Since products with SPF are specifically formulated with certain sun-protective ingredients, layering one on after your moisturizer can help block out those harsh rays. 

Keep in mind that you only need to apply sunscreen during the daylight hours, and it should go on after moisturizer (but before makeup). At night, you can simply end your routine with a moisturizer. If you want an option that’s great for both day and night, we suggest reaching for the L’Oréal Paris Collagen Moisture Filler Anti-Aging Facial Moisturizer. It’s non-comedogenic, suitable for all skin types, and provides up to 48 hours of non-greasy hydration for smoother, younger-looking skin. Or, try a dedicated night cream to help replenish your skin while you sleep. The L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Skin Care Cell Renewal Midnight Cream is an excellent pick, as it provides intense but non-greasy hydration and helps firm, smooth, and revitalize the skin with continued use.

Why the order you apply sunscreen and moisturizer matters

As mentioned, applying sunscreen as the final step in your routine is a good idea for a few reasons. For one, sunscreen tends to be slightly heavier or richer than moisturizer. As a general rule, it’s best to apply your products in order of consistency from thinnest to thickest to ensure each layer is able to absorb properly. In this case, applying moisturizer first helps trap in moisture to hydrate your skin, while layering SPF on top helps to protect your skin from damaging UV rays. 

Applying sunscreen after moisturizer is also smart because people don’t typically use as much moisturizer as they do sunscreen. Your skin may feel hydrated with a small dab of moisturizer, but to ensure adequate sun protection, you need to apply about a nickel-sized dollop of sunscreen to your face, per the Skin Cancer Foundation. Saving your sunscreen for last helps ensure that you can apply the appropriate amount of SPF without having to worry about your moisturizer pilling up on top of it. 

Should you apply sunscreen before or after makeup?

Figuring out whether to apply sunscreen or moisturizer first is only part of the equation—if you’re someone who wears makeup regularly, you’ll also need to determine whether to apply sunscreen before or after primer. When deciding whether to apply sunscreen or primer first, take a look at the formulas and their benefits—some sunscreens can double as a makeup primer, making any layering unnecessary. 

If your sunscreen doesn’t say it can pull double-duty as a makeup primer, we suggest applying your SPF first and letting it absorb before applying your primer and other makeup products. Just keep in mind that if you plan on spending an extended amount of time in the sun, you’ll need to reapply your sunscreen to maintain protection. You can use an SPF-infused facial spray or powder to re-up on your SPF protection without disrupting your makeup.

What’s The Difference Between Moisturizer and Sunscreen?

The primary difference between moisturizer and sunscreen is that moisturizer is designed to hydrate the skin, while sunscreen helps protect it from ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. 

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, sunscreen is formulated with active ingredients that help prevent UV radiation from reaching your skin. This is important, as exposure to UV rays can result in burns, contribute to premature skin aging (e.g., fine lines and dark spots), and lead to more serious issues, like skin cancer. Wearing sunscreen regularly and as directed can help prevent these concerns from occurring. 

Moisturizers, meanwhile, help nourish and replenish your skin. They may also help address visible skin concerns, such as fine lines, wrinkles, or dark spots, depending on the formula. (Some even contain SPF in their formulas, but should still be used alongside sunscreen). 

Ultimately, while sunscreen and moisturizer have very different functions, they’re both extremely important to incorporate into your daily skincare routine, no matter your skin type or concerns. 

Why Is Sunscreen So Important?

When used properly, sunscreen helps protect your skin from exposure to damaging ultraviolet rays that can contribute to burns, photoaging, and skin cancer. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends opting for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater (and using it every day, rain or shine). They also recommend reapplying sunscreen every two hours, wearing sun-protective clothing, like long sleeves and wide-brim hats, and avoiding the sun during its peak hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. As for how much sunscreen to apply, the FDA suggests using about one ounce, or a shot glass full, for your entire body. This translates to half a teaspoon for your face and neck. 

Per the Skin Cancer Foundation, regular daily use of SPF 15 sunscreen—used as directed—can reduce your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by about 40 percent, and lower your melanoma risk by 50 percent. It may also help delay the onset of some signs of aging, including wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots.

Should You Mix Moisturizer and Sunscreen?

While the idea of mixing sunscreen and moisturizer together to form one holy grail product may seem like the perfect answer to the whole moisturizer before or after sunscreen debate, it’s really not. Mixing sunscreen and moisturizer into a hybrid concoction can result in formulas not working as tested and therefore, as intended. That isn’t a risk you want to take with sun protection.

However, if you prefer to multitask, there is a solution: moisturizer with SPF. This type of moisturizer is specifically formulated to hydrate your skin and protect it from the sun’s harmful UV rays. These can be a great addition to your sun protection routine, but shouldn’t replace your usual daily sunscreen entirely. (And if you’re wondering, “Does sunscreen go on before or after moisturizer with SPF?,” the answer is still after—broad-spectrum sunscreen should always be the final step in your skincare routine, even if your other products contain SPF). 

What Are the Different Types of Sunscreen?

There are two different types of sunscreen: physical and chemical. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, physical sunscreens block and scatter UV rays before they penetrate your skin. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays before they can damage your skin. The bottle may mention what type of formula it is, but the ingredients are always a helpful identifier. Physical sunscreens commonly include mineral ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, while chemical formulas may include chemicals such as avobenzone or octisalate.

Additionally, the Skin Cancer Foundation shares, it’s very common for sunscreens to include a mixture of physical and chemical ingredients. Again, a quick look at the label of your chosen product should tell you which type of sunscreen you’re using. 

As for what’s better, it really depends on your skin type and what you prefer. After all, the best sunscreen is the one you like enough to use daily.

5 L’Oréal Paris Skincare Products with SPF

L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Moisturizer SPF 30

Protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays and tackle the visible signs of aging with this anti-aging face moisturizer. It contains SPF 30 sunscreen as well as pro-retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid, and helps refresh aging skin. The lightweight formula delivers up to 48 hours of non-greasy hydration and helps to smooth, firm, and brighten the skin over

L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Collagen Expert Day Moisturizer with SPF 30

When we age, our bodies’ production of collagen—one of the proteins that makes skin look firm and bouncy—begins to diminish, which can leave us with sagging skin. You can help counteract that with an anti-aging moisturizer and diligent sunscreen application. We like this one because it contains peptides and niacinamide and helps strengthen, brighten, and redensify maturing skin with continued use.

L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Anti-Aging Day Moisturizer SPF 25

Start your morning skincare routine off on a luxurious note with this rich anti-aging cream. It’s formulated with broad-spectrum SPF 25 sunscreen alongside antioxidant vitamin E and helps boost the skin’s natural renewal process to promote more youthful-looking skin. After one use, you’ll notice your skin feels nourished and appears smoother, while continued use over time helps improve the appearance of wrinkles, dullness, and uneven skin texture.

L'Oréal Paris Wrinkle Expert 55+ Age Defense Lotion

Put your internal “sunscreen before or after moisturizer” debate to rest with this anti-aging SPF moisturizer. The non-greasy formula with broad-spectrum SPF 30 and calcium provides up to 24 hours of hydration and helps strengthen, smooth, and protect aging skin. Immediately after applying it, your visage will look noticeably fresher and radiant, while consistent use helps improve the appearance of both skin texture and tone

L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Day Cream SPF 25

Just as its name suggests, this moisturizer is formulated to both protect and improve the appearance of aging skin. The retinol-infused moisturizer delivers up to 24 hours of non-greasy hydration and helps promote smoother, firmer skin within just four weeks of consistent use. Most importantly, it’s formulated with broad-spectrum SPF 25 sunscreen to help shield your skin from those damaging—and aging—UV rays.

Tips for Choosing (and Using) Sunscreen and Moisturizer

If you plan to use an SPF moisturizer in place of a regular moisturizer, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. Firstly—and most importantly—is that an SPF moisturizer shouldn’t replace sunscreen entirely. If you’re working indoors and don’t anticipate catching any rays, it’ll suffice. However, if you plan on running errands, squeezing in a quick outdoor workout on your lunch break, or doing anything else outside, you’ll need a dedicated sunscreen, too. Follow the advice of the FDA and opt for a broad-spectrum formula with an SPF of at least 15, and reapply it every two hours (more frequently if you’re sweating or swimming) to maintain protection. 

Finally, remember that your face isn’t the only place you should be applying sunscreen—all exposed skin should be protected. That includes your face, neck, and hands, but don’t forget to pay special attention to your lips, ears, and scalp, too. These areas, per the FDA, are often neglected—and, as we’ve established, neglecting SPF is not something you want to make a habit of. 

Next Up: Do You Apply Primer or Moisturizer First?

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris