Sun protection
Which comes first? Sunscreen or Day Cream?
29 May 2025
Once the sun starts shining it's time for some extra sun protection. Many day creams contain SPF, but when the sun is strong, it's not good enough and sunscreen is neccessary. But how does that work; sunscreen vs. day cream? Which one are you supposed to apply first during your morning routine? We've got the answer your looking for!
The type of sunscreen your use has an effect on to steps in your morning routine
Are you using sunscreen with a mineral or a non-mineral UV filter? The answer to this question changes the outcome of the question which one you need to apply first: day cream or sunscreen. A mineral filter is made of minerals, like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. This kind of UV filter reflects the sun like a mirror and protects the skin against UVA and UVB radiation. After applying sunscreen with a mineral filter you're immediately protected, but it can leave a bit of white cast on the skin.
A non-mineral filter works differently. It gets absorbed by the skin where a chemical reaction takes place that absorbs UV radiation. Because this kind of UV filter gets absorbed by the skin there's a bigger chance of irritation. Not what we like to see on the sensitive skin of babies.
Which one comes first?
Alright, so as we said it depends on the UV filter in your sunscreen.
With a mineral filter your day cream comes first. Why? You want your day cream to get absorbed by the skin, so all those great and moisturizing ingredients can do their job. Apply your day cream and give it some time before you apply sunscreen.
Sunscreen with a non-mineral filter should be applied before your day cream. It only works when it comes in contact with the skin directly. You don't want the extra layer of the day cream in between!
What about make up?
Don't mix your foundation with sunscreen. It sounds like a great idea. And easy, which we like! But unfortunately foundation will mess of the SPF of your sunscreen, which means it doesn't work as well as you want it to. Better to avoid it and just apply the two seperately.
Conclusion: apply your sunscreen under your make up, but over your day cream, No mixing and give your day cream some time to do its magic. And now it's time for some fun in the sun!