Sunscreen Before or After Primer: Which Comes First?

Should you use sunscreen before or after primer? This is the beauty debate that’s sparked many a group chat and Google search. While it may seem like a relatively minor detail, how you layer primer and sunscreen can have a significant impact. Not only can it affect how well your makeup wears, but it can also influence the effectiveness of your skincare. Getting the order wrong could lead to foundation that slips and slides or even compromise the protection your sunscreen offers. Understanding how to use sunscreen and primer together can make all the difference in achieving a flawless makeup look while maintaining your skin’s healthy appearance. Keep reading to discover the answer to your most pressing beauty question.

Understanding the Roles of Sunscreen and Primer

Before we dig into whether you should apply primer before or after sunscreen, let’s take a moment to go over the roles of both products. Understanding what sunscreen and primer do makes it easier to see exactly how each one should slot into your routine.

Sunscreen helps protect your skin from sun damage. It can help prevent sunburns, visible signs of premature aging, and even certain types of skin cancer. How sunscreen protects your skin depends on the type—chemical or mineral. Chemical sunscreens work by creating a shield against the sun’s rays, while mineral sunscreens work by absorbing UV rays.

Face primer, meanwhile, is a product that bridges the gap between skincare and makeup. It’s designed to prep your skin for your face makeup. The right formula can visibly smooth skin texture, make your pores look less noticeable, and help makeup last longer.

Sunscreen vs. Primer: Which Comes First?

To properly protect your skin and prep for makeup, you should use sunscreen before primer. Sunscreen is most effective when applied after cleansing and moisturizing your face, but before layering on any makeup products. It’s the final step in any good daytime skincare routine. Make sure to use a sunscreen that plays well with makeup, like the Kiehl’s Better Screen™ UV Serum SPF 50+ Facial Sunscreen with Collagen Peptide. The sunscreen-serum hybrid is specifically formulated to protect against sun damage like sun spots and help visibly correct early signs of aging.

After you apply your SPF, give it a few minutes to absorb, and then you can move on to priming your skin. Primer should be the first step in your long-lasting makeup routine. It works best when layered directly under the rest of your makeup, allowing it to better grip to your foundation and other products. One of our favorite options for primer is Maybelline’s Poreless Jelly™ Up To 24HR Hydrating Blur Primer. It extends the wear time of makeup, provides up to 24 hours of hydration, and visibly blurs pores. Plus, it layers well and doesn’t pill