Introduction

When it comes to skincare, having a routine is the most important rule. The second most important rule is that applying sunscreen every day is non-negotiable. With skin cancer being one of the most common forms of cancer, protecting your skin against harmful UV rays is vital to prevent harm and preemptive ageing. So before you go about forming a skin routine, here are a few things you need to know about skincare and sunscreen:

Layering is important

The foundation of every skincare routine is this: layers matter! Here’s a little breakdown of which layer goes when:

• Toner - they are light on your skin and help prep it for other skin treatments to be better
• absorbed into the skin
• Serum - they have the highest concentrations of active ingredients and should be
• applied immediately after cleansing
• Oil - while having a good concentration of active ingredients, they mainly help to hydrate
• your skin
• Emulsion - they provide light moisture while containing skin-nourishing ingredients
• Lotion - best applied after treatment products, lotions help hold moisture and active
• ingredients in the skin
• Cream - they hydrate the skin and lock in the benefits of the other treatment products
• Balm - if you have sensitive, dry or irritation-prone skin, balms help soothe the skin
• Sunscreen or Night cream - these should be the last step in your routine

But while this is the most basic of routines, it is important to note that the application of sunscreen depends on the type of sunscreen you own. There are mainly two types of sunscreens: mineral and chemical and where you layer them, in relation to your moisturizer, matters very much!

So which goes first, moisturizer or sunscreen?

When to apply your moisturizer or sunscreen depends on a few factors. The main concern is that moisturizer applied under sunscreen can create a barrier preventing sunscreen from penetrating the skin. And, if applied over sunscreen, it can interfere with how the sunscreen interacts with the sun. But, luckily for you, we’ve broken it down into 2 simple things you need to keep in mind. If you use a chemical sunscreen, it needs to be applied first, under your moisturizer. This is because

chemical sunscreens need to be absorbed by the skin to effectively protect your skin from harmful UV rays. If you use a mineral sunscreen, it should be applied after you apply your moisturizer. Mineral sunscreens form a reflective layer which creates a barrier between the skin and harmful UV rays.

Mineral and chemical sunscreens. What’s the difference?

There are many important differences between mineral and chemical sunscreens from their ingredients and safety, to how they work. Mineral sunscreens mainly contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which work together to form a protective barrier on your skin. This barrier reflects harmful UVA and UVB rays. The ingredients in mineral sunscreens are mostly natural and beneficial for your skin. They also work as soon as they are applied and cover a broader spectrum of protection. Chemical sunscreens contain synthetic ingredients and require at least 30 minutes to be effective. This is because they need to be absorbed by the skin before they can protect it from harmful rays. Chemical sunscreens only protect you from UVB rays and can irritate sensitive skin.

Can you mix sunscreen with moisturizer?

The short answer is no. Each product is made with a multitude of ingredients and mixing them can cause harm to your skin. That being said, there are existing products that are specifically formulated to carry out the function of being a moisturizer and sunscreen. However, if you are going to use them, ensure that the SPF value is above 30. It is better to just layer your sunscreen and moisturizer separately.

Moisturizer, sunscreen and makeup: the right way to apply them

We’ve covered when to apply sunscreen and moisturizer in your skincare routine. But, when makeup is involved, make sure you keep these tips in mind! Is a foundation with SPF enough? No, it is not. Foundations combined with SPF do not provide enough protection against the sun’s harmful rays. It is better to layer these products to get better protection.

When do I apply sunscreen?

The order in which you apply your sunscreen and makeup depends on the type of sunscreen you use. Something to note is that a lighter consistency goes first, and the heavier one at the end.

So, if you use a chemical sunscreen, you should apply your sunscreen first, then your moisturizer and then your foundation. For a mineral sunscreen, the moisturizer goes first, then your sunscreen followed by your foundation.

What if I need to reapply my sunscreen?

Reapplying your sunscreen every 2 hours is essential to maintain optimal protection from harmful UV rays. If you have makeup applied and you don’t want to mess it up, there is something you can do. You can use a powder or spray form of sunscreen. And, you can even use a matter gel-based sunscreen that can be dabbed easily without ruining your makeup.

Caring for your skin is essential to make it look healthy and feel great. And, protecting your skin from harmful UV rays is paramount to prevent skin cancer and early ageing. So make sure you take on a skincare routine, layer up and apply your products in the right order to make sure that they effectively help your skin. And, make sure your sunscreen is applied in the right order, depending on whether it is a chemical or mineral sunscreen, especially when it comes to applying makeup.