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Last Updated on March 11, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

apply moisturizer or sunscreen first

Should you apply moisturizer or sunscreen first? That’s the chicken and egg question of skincare. Everyone you ask seems to have a different answer.

  • “Sunscreen always goes last.”
  • “Nope, it depends on what type of sunscreen you use.”
  • “Just put it on whenever, who cares?”

I do. Because sunscreen is serious business. You get the order wrong, you may unwittingly reduce its effectiveness! So, what should you do? Let’s see what the experts recommend:

Theory #1: Sunscreen Always Goes Last

Both skincare gurus Paula Begoun and Nicki Zevola Benvenuti of Future Derm agree: sunscreen is ALWAYS the last step in your daytime skincare routine. Why? Simple: this is how scientists test the effectiveness of your sunscreen. They don’t get creative and apply sunscreen under moisturizer to see if it works as well.

If tests say that sunscreen on top of moisturizer works, that’s good enough for me. This is the theory that I’ll be following from now on. This may seem like a small thing to you, so here’s the reasoning: you know how can you remove sunscreen when you touch your face throughout the day? The same will happen if you apply anything on top of sunscreen.

It’s the reason experts recommend you wait 15 minutes after sunscreen to apply foundation. That 15 minutes gives sunscreen the time to create an even film on your skin, so you don’t end up with more here and less there because you’ve rubbed your moisturiser in straight away. And even then, after 15 minutes, you shouldn’t really rub. Check out this article for the correct way to apply foundation over sunscreen, so you can get a flawless complexion without compromising sun protection.

Scientists haven’t exactly tested how much sunscreen is left on your skin if you rub your moisturiser on straight away. And given what we know, it’s not a good idea. So sunscreen first, ladies (and gentlemen!).

Related: Do Your Day And Night Skincare Routines Have To Be Different?

How effective is your sunscreen? Sign up to the newsletter below to receive the “Sunscreen Audit” Worksheet and find out if your sunscreen is really up to the job:

Theory #2: It Depends On What Type Of Sunscreen You’re Using

Did you know there are two types of sunscreens?:

  1. Chemical*: It uses synthetic UV filters, such as Avobenzone, Mexoryl, and Octocrylene.
  2. Mineral: It uses mineral UV filters, such as Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide.

The theory goes that chemical sunscreens need to touch the skin so the chemical reaction that activates them can occur. Any chemical sunscreen goes before moisturizer while mineral sunscreens can still be applied last. The only one who promotes this theory, as far as I know, is Dr. Neal Schultz, a board-certified dermatologist who practices in Manhattan.

When I first started this blog and wrote this post, I was a huge fan of Dr Schultz’s work but, as my research about sunscreen continued, I’ve started to question some of his conclusions. (Science isn’t a done thing. New information can always come up to refute approved theories. When that happens, we should revisit our conclusions rather than standing firm on our positions for fear of looking stupid).

During my research, I couldn’t find any evidence that chemical sunscreens need to be activated by the skin. If that were true, those handy UV bracelets that tell you when your sunscreen is starting to lose its effectiveness wouldn’t work with chemical sunscreens. But, they do.

The only reaction that happens when you apply ANY sunscreen to your skin is the creation of a protective film. As the sunscreen dries, it forms a film on the skin that makes it harder for it to be wiped off. This film takes around 20 minutes to form. That’s why your mum always told you to apply sunscreen about 20 minutes before leaving the house.

If you’ve been following Dr Schultz’s theory (I did for a while) and applied sunscreen first, I don’t think you have everything to worry about as long as a) you’ve waited for the sunscreen to dry properly and b) you gently pat on the rest of your skincare on top (that’s just common sense, anyway). Otherwise, you’re just rubbing sunscreen off your face! See why it’s better to apply it last, anyway?

Related: Chemical VS Physical Sunscreen: Which One Is Right For You?

Do You Even Need Moisturiser Under Sunscreen?

Honestly? Most people don’t. Modern sunscreens – especially the newer Korean and European formulas – are loaded with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide. They’re moisturising enough to pull double duty, which means you can skip the extra step entirely and sidestep the whole debate. If your skin feels comfortable after applying sunscreen alone, that’s your answer. You don’t need moisturiser.

There are exceptions. Very dry skin types, or anyone dealing with a compromised skin barrier, may genuinely need that extra layer of hydration underneath. Same goes for people using drying actives like retinol or strong acids – your skin might need more than a sunscreen alone can provide. As a rule, if your skin feels tight and dry during the day, apply moisturiser in the morning. Otherwise, skip it. Using something because Allure says it’s a must when your skin is happy without it is just a waste of money (and good moisturiser).

The Bottom Line

After examining the latest research, the moisturizer or sunscreen debate is no debate at all. Always apply sunscreen as the last step of your daytime skincare routine. Always.

Note:
*Technically, all sunscreens are chemicals. That’s because everything made of matter is a chemical. Even water. Even zinc oxide. But, recently, chemical sunscreen has become synonymous with non-mineral sunscreen, so that’s how I’m using it here.