How To Reapply Sunscreen Over Your Makeup (Without Ruining It!)

Do you put sunscreen on before or after makeup?

“Adding sun protection to your skincare routine is fairly simple. But I often get asked if you should apply sunscreen before or after makeup,” says Sapna Valenzuela, Brand Director at Coola. The last step to your skincare routine should always be sunscreen, even if you’re about to apply makeup that contains SPF. The reason for this is none of us wear a thick enough layer of makeup to protect our skin from the sun’s rays. That’s not to say you should avoid makeup with SPF, you just need to consider it as a bonus rather than solid sun protection.

With this cleared up, what’s the best way to reapply SPF throughout the day without ruining your makeup?

What’s the best way to reapply sunscreen over makeup?

1. Use a sunscreen spray

One of our favourite ways to reapply sunscreen over your makeup is to use an SPF spray. It’s an easy and quick way to reapply your SPF without having to touch up your makeup. The key is to find one with an even mist like Ultra Violette Preen Screen SPF50 Reapplication Mist Skinscreen™, £32.00, it’s lighter than lightweight and keeps your skin protected.

2. Use an SPF Powder

On a hot summer day, chances are that your skin is looking a little oily. A powder SPF is a great way to kill two birds with one stone. Get rid of the shine while topping up your SPF, it feels light on the skin and helps refresh your makeup in the middle of the day. We love this one from Supergoop!, which recently launched at Space NK.

3. Reapply using a beauty sponge

If you like a dewy, glowy look, you can reapply sunscreen over makeup using your Beautyblender The Original Beauty Blender, £17.00. Sounds like a faff, but it’s actually a great way to reapply a generous of sunscreen on top of your makeup. Treat your liquid sunscreen like foundation and press it on over your makeup. For easy application, choose a light formula like the new Ultra Violette Fave Fluid SPF 50+ Lightweight Fragrance Free Skinscreen, £37.00 or simply go for your favourite sunscreen.

4. Use An SPF Stick

Let’s start by saying that this only works if you’re wearing light makeup. If you have a full face on, there will be transfer. That being said, sunscreen sticks are one of the easiest ways to reapply sunscreen. You have total control over how much product we’re applying and we know exactly where we are applying it. If you spending the day at the beach or you know you’ll be running around all day, this a great way to reapply a generous amount of sunscreen on-the-go.

How often should I reapply sunscreen?

“Don't forget to reapply sunscreen, generally every 2 to 4 hours,” advises Sapna. With the days being longer and the sun shining brighter, we obviously want to make sure we’re protecting our skin until the sun goes down. If you’re out all day and directly in the sun, reapply more often and consider investing in a hat!

How much sunscreen should I use on my face?

When you first apply your sunscreen in the morning, “You should apply up to half a tablespoon on your face and decolletage,” says Sapna. When it comes to reapplying throughout the day always make sure you’re covering your entire face and neck. For full efficiency, “Remember to apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going outside,” Sapna adds.

Our final words on reapplying sunscreen over makeup

If you take away just one tip from this SPF guide, make sure you apply your sunscreen under your makeup every single day. Then remember to reapply regularly throughout the day. To make remembering easier, find the formula that works best your skin and your makeup. If you’re out and about all day, keep your face out of the sun as much as possible, grab your favourite hat and seek out shade, especially between 12-2pm.