Which Goes First: Sunscreen or Makeup? We Asked a Dermatologist.

Sunscreen is an important part of your daily skincare regimen. It protects your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. A whopping 1 in 5 people in the U.S. will get skin cancer in their lifetime. But regular sunscreen use can lower your risk of squamous cell and melanoma skin cancers by up to 50%. 

If you wear makeup, you may wonder when you should apply sunscreen to your face. Do you put sunscreen on before or after your makeup? 

Below, we answer this question and discuss how to choose a sunscreen to wear with makeup and how to reapply sunscreen when you’re wearing makeup.

Do you put sunscreen on before or after makeup?

You should apply sunscreen before you apply makeup, said Dr. Ivy Lee, a California-based, board-certified dermatologist. 

A morning skin care routine will ideally start with a cleanser followed by an antioxidant and a moisturizer, she explained. Sunscreen comes next. Then, if you wear makeup, apply that last. 

So, your routine would look like this:

1. Cleanse: Wash your face with a cleanser that best suits your skin type.

2. Treat: If you use an antioxidant product, such as a serum with Vitamin C and/or E, apply it to your freshly cleansed skin. 

3. Moisturize: Whether you use a cream-, lotion-, or gel-based moisturizer will depend on your skin type. Creams are usually best for dry skin, lighter lotions are ideal for normal or combination type skin, and gel-based moisturizers work well on oily skin. 

4. Protect: Apply a multipurpose, broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Lee prefers sunscreens that contain a moisturizer and antioxidants to minimize steps. (Some tinted sunscreens offer a fair amount of coverage, and you may choose to use those in place of foundation.)

5. Apply makeup: Once the sunscreen has absorbed into your skin, put on your makeup.

If you like sealing your makeup with a finishing powder, as a final step, you might choose to use one that contains sunscreen. This provides added sun protection. Another advantage to an SPF powder is that it allows you to add more sunscreen throughout the day without disturbing your makeup. 

Choosing a sunscreen to wear with makeup

The type of sunscreen you decide to wear will depend on your personal preferences. Sunscreens fall into three main categories: mineral, chemical, and hybrid. 

Mineral sunscreen

Mineral sunscreens are also called physical sunscreens. They use the naturally occurring minerals titanium oxide and zinc oxide, which form a shield on the top layer of your skin. Many people believe that mineral sunscreens work by reflecting ultraviolet (UV) light away from your skin. But recent studies show that they only reflect a small amount of UV light and mostly work by absorbing the harmful UV energy into the sunscreen rather than your skin. Regardless of how they work, mineral sunscreens are a safe and effective way to protect yourself from the sun. 

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Historically, mineral sunscreens were white, thick, and often difficult to apply. But many have been reformulated in recent years and have an improved consistency.

Pros of mineral sunscreens:

• The FDA considers them to be safe and effective, while other sunscreen ingredients still need more research.

• They’re less likely to cause skin irritation, making them better suited for people with sensitive or acne-prone skin and those with chronic skin conditions.

• They’re not absorbed into your bloodstream.

• They can be used on babies if shade and protective clothing aren’t available.

Cons of mineral sunscreens:

• Some formulations can feel heavy under makeup.

• They may leave a white or gray cast on darker skin tones.

• Many mineral sunscreens need to be applied more frequently than chemical sunscreens.

• Applying it can be difficult because of the thicker formulation.

Chemical sunscreen

Chemical sunscreens contain ingredients like avobenzone and octisalate as their active ingredients. These chemicals work by absorbing UV rays into your skin like a sponge, then converting those rays into heat.

Pros of chemical sunscreens:

• They apply easily and blend into your skin.

• They are more water- and sweat-resistant than mineral sunscreens.

• Usually, chemical sunscreens are less expensive than mineral sunscreens.

Cons of chemical sunscreens:

• They can be more irritating to your skin and are more likely to trigger allergic reactions.

• They’re not recommended for babies under 6 months of age.

• Some ingredients in chemical sunscreens may absorb into your bloodstream. Research suggests that some chemicals used in these sunscreens are endocrine (hormone) disruptors and may increase your risk for certain cancers.

Hybrid sunscreen

Hybrid sunscreens use a combination of mineral and chemical filters. These sunscreens protect your skin from harmful UV rays by combining both types for comprehensive coverage. 

Many hybrid sunscreens blend into your skin better than fully mineral sunscreens. This makes them a good choice for people who want the benefits of mineral sunscreen ingredients but with a little more ease of use, Dr. Lee said.

So which sunscreen is right for you? According to Lee, the best sunscreen is the one that you’ll use consistently. 

“Whatever people like the feel of, I’m game for,” she said. “Find a formulation that feels good and works for your budget and lifestyle. Then stick with it.”

Dr. Lee personally prefers mineral sunscreens and tells her patients to look for a sunscreen that contains:

• Zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide to protect your skin from sun damage

• Moisturizing ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid or ceramides to hydrate your skin

• Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, or niacinamide to protect your skin from cell damage

What SPF should you use with makeup?

The SPF — or the sun protection factor — is the number you see on sunscreen packaging, such as SPF 15 or SPF 30.

The SPF number tells you how long it would take for UVB rays to burn your skin with and without sunscreen protection. For example, if you apply sunscreen with SPF 15, it will take 15 times longer for your skin to burn than if you weren’t wearing any sunscreen.

In addition, the higher the SPF number, the less UVB radiation reaches your skin:

• SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays

• SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays

• SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays

• SPF 100 blocks 99% of UVB rays

Dr. Lee said that SPF 30 provides enough protection for daily use, whether you’re using it with or without makeup. 

“Just remember that sunscreen is only one component of skin protection,” she said. “You should consider additional barriers like hats, big sunglasses, sun-protective clothing, and seeking shade.”

What is broad-spectrum sunscreen?

Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against both types of UV rays: UVA and UVB. This differs from SPF, which applies only to UVB rays. 

UVA and UVB rays work differently from one another. UVA rays enter the middle layer of your skin, or dermis. UVB rays reach only the outer layer of your skin, the epidermis. But both types of UV rays can damage your skin in many ways and increase skin cancer risk. Both types of rays can also damage your eyes.

For the best protection, choose a sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum coverage and an SPF of 30 or higher, said Dr. Lee.

Expert tips for applying sunscreen before makeup

To apply sunscreen before makeup, Dr. Lee suggests the following tips:

• Use a nickel-size amount of sunscreen for your entire face.

• Apply sunscreen to your entire face, including the tops of your ears and under and around your eyes.

• Use a dime-size amount of sunscreen to cover your neck and the backs of your hands.

• Let the sunscreen absorb for at least a minute before putting on makeup.

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Written by:

Ana Gascon

Ana Gascon has over 15 years of writing and editing experience, with 8 years in health and medical content work. She is a versatile health and medical content creator who writes about acute conditions, chronic diseases, mental health challenges, and health equity.

Edited by:

Meredith Hoffa

Meredith Hoffa is a senior health editor at GoodRx, where she leads journalists and clinicians covering various well-being topics, particularly in diet and nutrition.

Reviewed by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician in a variety of clinical settings. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

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