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Primer or Sunscreen, Which Goes First?

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Should I use primer or sunscreen first? It’s likely a question most of you have, so I decided to write this post to make it all clear so you always get the best from your routine. Applying products in the wrong order can render them ineffective, and that’s not to play with when it comes to sunscreen.

Sunscreen is non-negotiable day by day, as it protects the skin against harmful UV rays that make skin age prematurely and helps prevent skin cancer. So, ultimately, the secret to great results from your skincare is knowing the correct order of layering. So, primer before or after sunscreen? 

Sunscreen is the last step of your skincare routine, while the primer is the first step of your makeup routine. As such, you should layer sunscreen before primer to get the best of both worlds: a sunbeams shield and a perfect grip for your makeup to adhere to. 

To keep it short and sweet, this is the correct order of layering:

  1. Cleanse
  2. Treat
  3. Moisturize
  4. Apply SPF
  5. Use primer
  6. Layer foundation

For the best results, we recommend these sunscreens with SPF 50.

Who wrote this?
Picture of Ana Vasilescu
Ana Vasilescu
Ana Vasilescu is the founder of Women's Concepts and a certified skincare consultant. She has over five years of experience working in the beauty editorial industry and over a decade in clinical research. Find her on LinkedIn or Instagram.
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