Which Comes First? Sunscreen, Moisturizer, Makeup or Primer?

If you’re going to put in the time and effort to maintain a daily skincare routine, you might as well do it correctly. Applying products in the proper order ensures maximum absorption and effectiveness. The last thing you want is for one product to reduce the effects of another.

The best way to apply skincare products is in order of thickness, starting with the thinnest and working toward the thickest. Your skin is best able to absorb thin, water-based products like toners and serums, so apply those right after your skin has been cleansed and prepped. From there, you want to hydrate and lock in moisture before applying protective products like sunscreen.

If you’re going to wear makeup, it’s best to complete your full skincare routine before doing so. That includes sunscreen! Moisturizer comes before sunscreen, which comes before primer and makeup.

Because its purpose is to protect your skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, sunscreen should be applied at the end of your skincare routine. To help you visualize the process, we’ve broken it down into a step-by-step guide, including instructions for applying primer and makeup.

1. Thoroughly cleanse your skin

Any effective skincare routine starts with a good cleanse. The goal is to remove excess oil, dirt, and dead cells from the surface of your skin, preparing it for the other products in your regimen. Cleansing also helps create a smoother foundation for makeup.

Choose a cleanser suited to your skin type, and consider doing a double cleanse with micellar water as the first step if you’re already wearing sunscreen or makeup. Hydrating cream cleansers are ideal for dry skin while gel and foaming cleansers work well for oily and combination skin.

2. Apply serums and other treatments

Active ingredients need to have direct contact with your skin to optimize their effectiveness, so serums and other treatments should be applied after cleansing. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel first, then layer the products in order of thickness.

Here are some general tips:

• Apply toner after cleansing to prep the skin and boost hydration.
• Start with water-based serums before oil-based serums and heavier treatments.
• Only apply targeted treatments (like acne spot treatments) to the affected area.
• When using retinoids (recommended only at night), apply after serums.

Give each serum or treatment at least a few seconds to absorb before moving to the next step. This helps prevent the products from pilling, which can affect your makeup application.

3. Moisturize and rehydrate your skin

Once you’ve finished applying serums and treatments, the next step is to moisturize your skin. This step is essential, even if your skin doesn’t feel dry. Applying moisturizer helps fortify the skin barrier, boosting your skin’s defenses against environmental aggressors and creating a smooth canvas for your makeup.

Again, choose a moisturizer suited to your skin type. Dry skin may benefit from richer creams while oily or acne-prone skin does better with lightweight gels and water-based lotions.

4. Apply sunscreen and let it absorb

Give your moisturizer a few minutes to absorb before applying sunscreen. We recommend choosing a broad-spectrum formula SPF 30 or higher. You’ll need about a nickel-sized amount to cover your face alone, with a little extra for full coverage of the neck and ears.

After applying sunscreen, give it 10 to 15 minutes to set before applying primer and makeup. If you don’t wait long enough, you might accidentally remove the sunscreen while blending your makeup.

5. Put on primer and makeup

Once your sunscreen has had time to set, you can apply your primer and makeup. While primer isn’t a mandatory step, it may help your makeup go on smoother and ensure that it lasts longer. Depending on the product, some primers offer additional benefits like color correction and hydration. Some products also add extra SPF protection.

When you’re finished with your primer, you can complete the rest of your makeup routine as desired. For added longevity, seal your look with setting spray and give it a minute to dry before you get dressed.

Your daily skincare routine shouldn’t feel like a chore. When you choose the right products, everything goes more smoothly and you get the results you want. If you’re looking to cut out unnecessary steps and simplify your routine without sacrificing sun protection, here are a couple of tips:

• Select sunscreen suited to your skin type. Wearing the wrong sunscreen can trigger breakouts or worsen existing skin concerns, so start with a product that’s designed for your skin type. For oily and acne-prone skin, that’s generally a non-comedogenic mineral formula. For dry skin, try a sunscreen infused with hydrating ingredients.
• Choose a daily moisturizer with SPF. Depending on your skin type, you might be able to combine moisturizer with sun protection. Just make sure the product you’re using offers at least SPF 30 to ensure full coverage.
• Swap primer for tinted sunscreen under makeup. Want to create a flawless foundation under makeup without adding another step to your routine? Opt for tinted sunscreen instead of primer. And if you have oily skin, choose a mattifying formula to help balance oil production and keep your makeup from sliding.
• Use sunscreen spray for flawless reapplication. Sunscreen should always be applied under makeup, but that makes it tricky to reapply when needed. The simplest solution is a sunscreen spray designed specifically for facial use.

Not sure where to start when shopping for sunscreen? Check out our top recommendations for the best sunscreen for daily use to find your perfect fit.

Do you put sunscreen on before or after your primer?

You should put sunscreen on before primer (and other makeup). Remember, sunscreen should always be the final step in your skincare routine. It provides a layer of protection under your makeup, which may contain SPF but might not offer comprehensive coverage.

What if I put primer on before sunscreen?

If you put primer on before sunscreen, it could weaken the protection level of your sunscreen. Sun protection products need to be in direct contact with your skin to work properly, and it needs to set for at least 5 minutes before you apply primer or makeup.

Can I use primer with SPF instead of sunscreen?

It’s generally best to use primer with SPF as an added layer of defense, not your sole source of sun protection. Sunscreen needs to be applied generously to maximize its effectiveness, and you may want a thinner layer of primer. Depending on your skin type (and the product), sunscreen may provide the hydrating and skin-smoothing benefits you want, enabling you to skip primer entirely.