sunscreen before or after moisturizer

3-Step Guide to Layering Sunscreen in Your Skincare Routine

Written by: Cindy Kuo

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Time to read 6 min

Understanding the Importance of Sunscreen

Our encounter with the dazzling rays of the sun can often be deceptive. Its warm embrace might feel welcoming momentarily, but in reality, sun's radiance bears some hazardous consequences that we should not overlook. These emanate particularly in the form of harmful Ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Explaining the Harmful Effects of UV Rays

Underneath the delightful warmth of the sunlight, lies the corrosive ability of UV rays. When these rays make contact, they are capable of causing premature skin aging. Over time, you might notice your skin struggling with unwanted wrinkles and age spots that tell the tale of undue damage.


Sadly, it's not just about early skin aging. The continuous exposure to UV rays increases the risk of skin cancer, a potent threat to our health.


So it's unmistakable: protection from the sun is not a discussion of vanity or fashion but one of health and longevity.

The Role of Sunscreens in Skincare

Understanding the damaging potential of UV rays, the importance of sunscreens in skincare comes into focus. Sunscreen safeguards our skin by acting as a shield, reflecting away the harmful UV rays. Without a layer of sturdy sunscreen, our skin is an open field for these menacing rays to play havoc.


Wearing sunscreen or sunscreen in your skincare routine helps in maintaining skin health. It keeps the skin nourished and prevents the onslaught of premature signs of aging, making it glow with an ageless charm.

Digging Deeper Into Sunscreen Types

Knowing the role of sunscreen in our everyday skincare routine leads us to an essential question.


Sunscreen before or after moisturizer, does sunscreen go on before or after moisturizer?


Before getting to that, let's delve into the types of sunscreens - Chemical Sunscreens and Physical Sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens seep into the skin and absorb UV rays, converting them into heat and thereby preventing skin damage. Physical sunscreens, on the other hand, sit on top of your skin and essentially act like mirrors, reflecting back the sun's harmful rays.

The 3-Step Guide to Layering Sunscreen in Your Skincare Routine

sunscreen before or after moisturizer

Step 1: Prepping Your Skin

Now back to our million-dollar question, sunscreen before or after moisturizer?


The ideal skincare routine begins with a clean canvas. Therefore, it is of prime relevance to start with cleansing your face. Following this, apply your skin serum and moisturizer, prepping your skin for its day ahead.


During this step, a well-hydrated and nurtured skin foundation is prepared, optimizing the impact of sunscreen that follows.

Step 2: Applying Sunscreen Properly

Sunscreen goes on next. Always remember, it's not enough to just smear a pinch of your sunscreen. Dermatologists recommend using at least a half teaspoon of sunscreen on your face to get the promised SPF coverage. So yes, go generous and slather away!


A useful tip here is to ensure full coverage. Every tiny portion of your skin exposed to sunlight needs protection. So make sure your sunscreen application covers every nook and cranny!


We recommend using Botanical Vitamin Sunscreen SPF 30 , which provides both nurturing care and robust protection to your skin.

Step 3: Reapplying Throughout the Day

The job doesn't end with a one-time application. The secret to effective sunscreen protection lies in reapplication throughout the day.


The importance of reapplication can't be overstated. Irrespective of whether you are indoors or outdoors, your skin continues to be exposed to UV rays. As sunscreen wears off over time, you must consistently replenish its mantle to maintain protection.


Reapplication often brings up the question – sunscreen before or after makeup? A good strategy for reapplication over makeup includes products such as sunscreen sprays or powders. These products make it easy to touch up without disturbing your makeup.

My Skincare Routine Dilemma: Sunscreen Before or After Moisturizer?

For the longest time, I struggled with the question: should I apply sunscreen before or after moisturizer? It seemed like such a simple decision, but the more I read, the more confused I became. Some sources claimed that sunscreen should be the last step, while others insisted it should come before moisturizing. Determined to protect my skin while maintaining a glowing complexion, I decided to get serious about finding the right answer.

Consulting the Experts

To clear up my confusion, I booked an appointment with a dermatologist. During our consultation, I asked her point-blank: sunscreen before or after moisturizer? She explained that the answer depends on the type of sunscreen you're using. For chemical sunscreens, it's usually best to apply them directly to clean skin, before moisturizer, to ensure proper absorption. However, for physical or mineral sunscreens, applying sunscreen before or after moisturizer isn't as crucial since these formulas sit on top of the skin and can work effectively either way.

Finding My Perfect Routine

Armed with this new knowledge, I experimented with my routine. I started applying chemical sunscreen before my moisturizer in the morning, ensuring my skin was well protected throughout the day. On days when I used a physical sunscreen, I applied my moisturizer first, then layered the sunscreen on top. This method worked wonders for me, and I finally felt confident in how to correctly layer my products.


I began to notice that my skin was not only protected from UV damage but also looked more hydrated and even-toned. Understanding the importance of whether to apply sunscreen before or after moisturizer made all the difference in the effectiveness of my skincare routine.

Get Your Layering Right

Navigating the skincare world can be tricky, but learning the proper order of product application is crucial for getting the most out of your routine. Whether you're wondering about sunscreen before or after moisturizer, take the time to understand your products and skin type. By doing so, you'll ensure your skin stays protected, hydrated, and radiant every day. Trust me, getting the layering right is well worth the effort.


Remember, for your skin to stay radiant and youthful, 'apply and reapply' should be your mantra.


Sunscreen, be it in its application or reapplication, certainly forms a critical part of our skincare. Sunscreen before or after moisturizer, it finds its place indispensably, becoming the assertive note on which to finish your skincare routine. So go on, embrace the sun, but not without the reliable shield of sunscreen!

Reference

Cindy Kuo

The Author: Cindy Kuo

Cindy Kuo, the founder of Olecea, is passionate about clean and natural skincare. Born in Taiwan, educated in the UK, and now residing in California, Cindy has woven a rich tapestry of diverse cultural and skincare traditions into Olecea. Her journey has been fueled by a commitment to blending the best of Asian wisdom with wellness concepts from the US and Europe.


Olecea’s formulations reflect Cindy’s dedication to using clean, natural, non-toxic, and cruelty-free ingredients. She ensures that Olecea's products not only address skincare concerns but also provide enjoyable textures that enhance the skincare routine. A key innovation is Olecea's advanced pearl encapsulation technology, which maintains the freshness and potency of active ingredients in each application. Another example is the hydrating and detoxifying charcoal mask, perfect for those who value anti-aging benefits without the dryness typically associated with such treatments.


Beyond skincare, Cindy's commitment extends to making a positive impact in the community. She actively supports local charities while balancing her role as a mother of two. Cindy’s unwavering dedication to researching and creating effective skincare formulations ensures that Olecea Skin Lovers can achieve radiant, healthy skin.

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