Sunscreen is a must-have for healthy, shielded skin, yet the products you apply in advance can greatly enhance its efficacy and provide benefits beyond just protection. In simpler terms, consider it prepping your canvas to receive the ultimate protection. Developing a pre-sunscreen regimen can help to treat a range of skin issues, from dryness to antioxidant protection, so that your skin isn't just guarded against UV but also fed and resilient.
What To Apply On Face Before Sunscreen?
But what do one apply before sunscreen? We asked the same to our expert, Dr Sanjeev Gulati, Dermatologist, Department of Dermatology, Sharda Hospital - Noida, and he explained everything you and I need to know! Here’s what you be doing before grabbing that broad-spectrum SPF, follow these important steps:
1. The Foundation: Cleansing
Like mentioned above, a fresh canvas is key. Start with a gentle cleanser that's appropriate for your skin type to sweep away impurities, excess oil, and leftover overnight products. This creates room for other products to penetrate better and allows your sunscreen to stick correctly without being weakened by grime or dirt.
- For Oily/Acne-Prone Skin: Use a foaming or gel cleanser with salicylic acid or tea tree oil.
- For Dry/Sensitive Skin: Use a cream or moisturising cleanser which will not dry out your skin's natural moisture.
- For Normal/Combination Skin: A balanced cleanser that will clean without over-drying is the way to go.
2. The Balancer: Toner (Optional, but Recommended)
Although not absolutely necessary for all, Dr Srivastav suggested that a good toner can help restore the pH of your skin after washing and offer an additional burst of hydration or special treatment.
- Hydrating Toners: Great for all skin, but particularly dry or dehydrated skin, to plump and prime skin for moisture. Search for hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or rose water ingredients.
- Exfoliating Toners: For dryness or congested pores, a gentle AHA/BHA toner can exfoliate lightly, but use with caution in the mornings when you have sensitive skin since they dry out the skin and make it more sun-sensitive. Always apply sunscreen afterwards.
- Balancing Toners: For balancing oil production on oily or combination skin.
3. The Powerhouse: Serums
This is where you can really tailor your pre-sunscreen regimen to deal with your particular skin issues. Serums are rich, concentrated treatments that are formulated to bring powerful active ingredients deep into the skin.
- Antioxidant Serums (Highly Recommended): Arguably the most important step prior to applying sunscreen. Antioxidants such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, ferulic acid, or green tea extract act in synergy with the sunscreen to fight free radical damage from UV exposure. Sunscreen deflects UV rays, but antioxidants mordeln any free radicals that may pass through, offering an added layer of protection against premature aging and hyperpigmentation.
- Hydrating Serums: If you have dry skin, a hyaluronic acid serum will pull water into the skin, leaving you feeling silky and avoiding the "sunscreen pilling" horror.
- Niacinamide Serums: Great for reducing redness, fixing the skin's barrier function, and controlling oil production.
- Targeted Serums: Based on your issues, you may also employ serums for brightening (e.g., alpha arbutin), anti-ageing (e.g., peptides), or calming (e.g., centella asiatica).
4. The Replenisher: Moisturiser
Even if you have oily skin, you still need a lightweight moisturiser. It seals in the moisture from your serums, fortifies your skin barrier, and smooths out the surface for sunscreen application.
- For Oily/Combination Skin: Try a gel moisturiser or an oil-free one so that it doesn't feel greasy.
- For Dry/Normal Skin: A richer, more emollient moisturiser will be sufficient to deliver plenty of moisture.
- For ingredients: Look for ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and squalane that do great as barrier support.
The Golden Rule: Layering
The secret to an effective pre-sunscreen routine is layering properly. Always put products on from thinnest to richest consistency. This lets lighter, more concentrated serums penetrate first, followed by richer moisturisers that seal it all in.
General Application Order
- Cleanser
- Toner (if using)
- Serum(s) (begin with thinner ones if using several)
- Moisturiser
- Sunscreen
Things to Keep in Mind
- Allow Absorption Time: Provide each product with a minute or two to absorb before using the next. This avoids pilling and provides maximum effectiveness.
- Listen to Your Skin: Not all steps are required for all people every day. Modify your routine according to your skin's requirements and the weather.
- Patch Test New Products: Particularly if you have sensitive skin, add new products individually to test for any kind of adverse reaction.
- Consistency is Key: The advantages of these products are additive. Using them regularly will deliver the most effective results.
Bottomline
By spending a few more minutes each morning on your skincare regimen prior to sunscreen, you're not only applying protection; you're creating a stronger, healthier, more radiant skin that's better armed to meet the day and the sun's intense rays.