What Should be Applied First, Sunscreen or Foundation?

It is imperative as part of your daily skincare regimen, even on cloudy or rainy days to wear a physical SPF 30 and above full broad spectrum sunscreen, to protect against harmful UV rays. A Physical Sunscreen contains active mineral ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. They are natural active ingredients with full broad spectrum, meaning they protect against both UVA and UVB harmful rays. Physical Sunscreens work by laying on the top of the skin, to deflect sun rays, instead of being absorbed into the skin and unable to deflect the sun's rays effectively. Therefore, both Zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide are critical active ingredients to have in your sunscreen for UV protection.

Physical Sunscreens creates a barrier on your skin and won’t allow any other product to work effectively with them. And if you put moisturizer or any other serum after putting on your physical SPF, then the following topical solutions will limit your sunscreen's ability to protect skin from harmful UV rays. So, if you put moisturizer over your sunblock, the latter cream will stop your sunscreen from being as potent of a barrier shield. Also, the act of putting on the moisturizer or serum over the physical sunscreen makes the latter creams less efficient as well. So the best protocol of what products to apply first goes as such serum or (the lightest product always goes on first), then moisturizer, then sunblock. This way your creams and sunscreens do not get diluted, and you still get the benefits of your full broad spectrum Spf 30 and above sunscreen protection.

However, many of the top line sunscreens already have sophisticated anti-aging, hydrating formulas combined into their formulas, so you don't necessarily need to apply other products as long as the sunscreen has the right physical full- broad active ingredients with a UV defense rated SPF 30 and above. If you still feel that you need an extra skin-rejuvenating boost in your morning skin routine, again you can use an antioxidant-rich serum before applying your sunscreen. Also, antioxidants help to shield your skin from environmental damages and other free radicals that age skin which takes away from the skin's youthful appearance and glow. Together antioxidants work brilliantly with (or in) sunscreens to help your skin look and maintain it's radiant glow.

When applying your foundation, powder or any make-up, it's again best to wear it after your sunscreen is applied. Additionally, to not dilute your sunscreen it is then suggested to wait at least 5 minutes for your sunscreen to set before applying any makeup or powder. However, many fantastic tinted mineral sunscreens containing both zinc and titanium dioxide that are SPF 30 and can be worn as your sunscreen and also gives a lightly tinted coverage, that can be used as makeup. There are many fantastic tinted sunscreens that I would recommend like EltaMD Tinted Mineral SPF. These type of sunscreens not only give you great sun protection but with a tinted moisturizer or tinted antioxidant sunscreen with the right sun protection you get the best of all worlds in one cream with the added layer of protection.

However, if you're going to wear makeup or powder that has SPF in it make sure you have all the necessary active ingredients and level of coverage needed. As most times makeup with SPF in it does not nearly have the adequate sunscreen protection.

Although, makeup powder with SPF are not typically the best way to receive the needed coverage from harmful UV rays by itself, they are still ideal for being used for touch up purposes throughout the day. It's a way to reapply some more added protection from the sun while conveniently not ruining your makeup, especially if the powder has a brush applicator the little SPF coverage in makeup powder can go to top off your tinted or regular physical broad range sunscreen.

I hope this helps!