The question everyone who rushes in the morning wants to know – can I skip moisturizer and use sunscreen?
Long story short: yes, sometimes.
But let’s dive in to understand the nuance of a good skincare routine.
Can I skip moisturizer and use sunscreen?
Yes, you can.
Sunscreen is basically just moisturizer with filters in it to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
However, a good moisturizer that is non comedogenic and will prevent moisture loss can be a good addition for people with dry skin or sensitive skin.
Moisturizers
Moisturizing is essential for all skin types to protect the natural barrier on exposed areas of your body.
Plus, applying moisturizer keeps your skin healthy and soothes irritated skin.
Moisturizers for Dry Skin
For good moisturizers for dry skin, check out my First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Review and Paula’s Choice Ceramide Moisturizer Review.
Moisturizers for Oily Skin
For good moisturizers for oily skin and acne prone skin, check out my La Roche Posay Creams Review and Stratia Liquid Gold Review.
Sunscreen
Specifically, broad spectrum SPF (sun protection factor) is used with UV filters to protect you. There are two main types:
- Chemical sunscreen
- Physical sunscreen (mineral sunscreen)
There are many sunscreens out there, and they’re all basically just moisturizer with SPF.
Benefits of Sunscreen
Wearing sunscreen is a personal choice. A board certified dermatologist will often tell you the first line of defense against signs of aging is a broad spectrum moisturizer with SPF.
Sunscreen ingredients differ among types of sunscreen, but both types can be used to fight premature aging of your skin.
You can also reapply sunscreen to protect yourself again the sun’s harmful rays if you’re concerned about burning.
Chemical Sunscreens
Chemical sunscreens are often formulated with active ingredients like benzene derivatives for UV filters. They are not my favorite choice.
I prefer mineral sunscreens formulated with zinc for sun protection over chemical sunscreen.
Physical Sunscreens (Mineral Sunscreens)
Common SPF ingredients in physical sunscreen include:
- Zinc oxide
- Titanium dioxide
Both of these exhibit sun protection activity.
Chemical vs. Physical Sunscreen
Both can provide adequate sun protection. You may prefer one or the other depending on your skin type.
Both sunscreens protect from both types of UV rays:
- UVA rays
- UVB rays
Both types can prevent skin cancer that is associated with skin burning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sunscreen or moisturizer first?
Moisturizer first. If you wear sunscreen, it should be the last step in your skincare routine.
Can I skip moisturizer altogether?
If you’re applying sunscreen, you can skip moisturizer beforehand. However, I wouldn’t neglect moisturizing from your skincare routine altogether.
Moisturizer and sunscreen work together to provide protection for your skin cells.
Is coconut oil a good sunscreen?
No. Coconut oil has an SPF of 4.
No one can make you wear sunscreen if you don’t want to, but don’t kid yourself into thinking coconut oil will give you protection from sun rays.
This is also true for avocado oil.
Is wearing makeup over sunscreen okay?
Yes, you can wear makeup after moisturizing and applying sunscreen. Just make sure it doesn’t clog pores.
Generally, I would not suggest using makeup that has SPF in it. These do not make for effective sunscreens as you don’t use enough for proper coverage.
Is mineral sunscreen or chemical sunscreen better?
Skin care is personal, and so is sunscreen application. I prefer mineral sunscreen for protection from sun’s uv rays and sun damage.
