Should You Apply Primer Before or After Sunscreen?

If you’ve ever found yourself holding your primer in one hand and your sunscreen in the other, wondering which one comes first, you’re not alone. When it comes to layering skincare and sunscreen, the order can feel a little confusing. But don’t worry, applying your SPF doesn’t have to be a complicated puzzle.

At Supergoop!, we recommend making SPF part of every step in your skincare routine before you dive into makeup — that’s why we’ve made SPF serums, moisturizers and more! With products that pull double (like an SPF that also acts as a makeup-gripping primer) you can easily streamline your routine. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the right way to layer, introduce you to sunscreens that make getting ready even easier and help you feel confident (and protected!) every day.

If you’re using just one sunscreen product, it would typically be the last step in your skincare routine before makeup to ensure your skin gets maximum protection from the sun’s rays. Since a primer is a makeup product, sunscreen would go on before it. 

However, we’ve made it easy to incorporate sunscreen into every part of your skincare and makeup routine with SPF serums, moisturizers, eye creams and, you guessed it, primers. That’s right, we’ve created face sunscreens that are designed to do double-duty, offering powerful sun protection and acting like a primer for your makeup. These multitasking heroes help create a smooth, even canvas, meaning you can protect your skin and perfect your makeup base in one effortless step 

Your skincare and suncare don’t have to live in totally separate worlds. In fact, the best routines blend them beautifully. Products like SPF moisturizers, SPF setting powders, and of course, SPF primers are designed to make healthy skin habits feel simple and second nature.

When you use an SPF primer, you’re creating a smooth, even base for your makeup while enjoying essential sun protection. Many of the best SPF primers are even packed with ingredients that enhance your makeup’s longevity, so you’re not just protecting your skin, you’re helping your makeup look fresh all day long.

Plus, an SPF primer can help prevent common concerns like pilling, which sometimes happens when layering too many separate products. It’s a win-win for your face, your routine and your peace of mind.

Here are four Supergoop! favorites that give you expert SPF protection and the perfect base for your makeup.

Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50

If you’re looking for the ultimate invisible base, Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50 is the move. This weightless gel blends comfortably into your skin, leaving behind a natural finish with zero white cast. It’s recommended for all skin types — normal, combination, dry, oily, sensitive or acne-prone — making it one of our most versatile picks. Clinically tested to improve skin clarity* and the quality of makeup for longer-lasting wear**, Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50 doubles as an incredible makeup primer. It visibly blurs pores and grips makeup, all while protecting with broad spectrum SPF 50.

Mineral Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

Love the idea of Unseen Sunscreen but prefer a mineral option? Meet Mineral Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40! This sheer, weightless and scentless SPF is perfect for sensitive skin, and delivers powerful sun protection in a dreamy, cloud-like formula. Plus, Mineral Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 also doubles as a makeup-gripping primer. 

Glowscreen SPF 40

Prefer your primer to come with an extra boost of radiance? That’s where Glowscreen SPF 40 shines (literally). This cult favorite face SPF primes skin by creating a smooth, luminous base for makeup. Plus, it helps visibly even your skin tone while locking in moisture. 

Mineral Mattescreen SPF 40 

If a blurred finish is more your style, Mineral Mattescreen SPF 40 has your back. This mineral face sunscreen has a whipped, airy texture that mattifies and smooths skin’s appearance while visibly blurring pores. It also doubles as a makeup primer designed for normal, combination, oily or sensitive skin types. With its blendable, tinted formula, Mineral Mattescreen SPF 40 minimizes white cast and sets your skin up for a smooth, long-lasting makeup look — all while delivering expert SPF 40 protection.

When you’re deciding how to layer your sunscreen and makeup, the best approach is simple: Choose an SPF primer to set yourself up for a super look and keep your skin protected. With multitasking products like Supergoop!’s SPF primers, you don’t have to choose between protection and perfection — you get both, effortlessly. 

* Based on an independent clinical study with 33 women after using product for 4 weeks

** Based on an independent clinical study with 33 women 8 hours after one application as compared to foundation alone