Can You Layer Sunscreen?

We’re always asked if you can layer sunblock and SPF products. The short answer is yes! Layering SPF-rated products helps ensure you are applying enough sunscreen to protect your skin from sunburn. However, there’s an important qualifier to be aware of before you begin layering your sunscreen products on your face.

What kind of products with sunscreen should you layer?

Daily sun protection is the single best tip you can abide by to keep your skin healthy and youthful, but before you jump into layering, you have decisions to make: Should you use an anti-aging moisturizer with SPF? A foundation with SPF? Concealer with SPF? Primer with SPF? Beach-style sunscreen? Or some or all of them at the same time?

Knowing how and when to apply sunscreen is vital. You can layer the above products, but there’s a qualifier. When layering sunscreens for your face, it may be best to stick with those that are formulated with similar UV filters. For example, using products formulated entirely of synthetic filters with one another or pairing products with pure mineral filters, like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. There’s research showing that combining zinc oxide with so-called “chemical” sunscreens, such as avobenzone, can cause instability and a potential decline in the sunscreen’s protective ability.

It’s worth pointing out that this research examined the impact of uncoated zinc oxide on fish embryos, not on human skin. Most sunscreens with zinc oxide use the coated form for many beneficial reasons. Coated zinc oxide…

• …is uniform in size, so it looks much better on skin
• …doesn’t agglomerate (clump) in a formula, ensuring even distribution on skin
• …is not known to cross-react with other ingredients commonly used in sunscreens
• …has a modified surface which makes it feel lighter and silkier on skin

There’s no research indicating sunscreens with coated zinc oxide (or titanium dioxide) have adverse effects on other UV filters. Such combinations are found in many SPF-rated products sold around the world. However, since the coated or uncoated qualifier isn’t mentioned on the packaging, we recommend layering with one type of UV filter for your face or body unless you contact the brand to inquire further (all Paula’s Choice sunscreens with zinc oxide are coated).

What about layering sunscreens that contain the synthetic UV filters octinoxate and avobenzone? Although older versions of these ingredients might have had an impact on each other’s efficacy, today’s versions utilise different ingredient technologies (such as encapsulation) or formulary tricks to ensure these UV filters play nicely together, whether used in one sunscreen or when layered. Sunscreen chemists are aware of these potential issues and know the many ways to make sure sunscreen filters work together to provide UV protection.

How to layer sunscreen

When layering, make sure at least one of the sunscreen products is rated SPF 30 or greater and be sure to apply it liberally. Other than this rule, when layering non-makeup SPFs, we advise applying from thinnest to thickest texture.

What about makeup with sunscreen? A foundation, BB cream, or tinted moisturizer with SPF 30 is great for facial sun protection if you apply it liberally. However, if you don’t want that much coverage or don’t like how that might feel on your skin, then a useful tip is to stick with a sunscreen rated SPF 30 or greater that you enjoy and apply liberally. Follow with a foundation with any SPF number over your base layer of SPF 30+ to receive added protection.

How does layering sunscreen help your skin?

Study after study has shown that people don’t know how much sunscreen to use and as a result, don’t apply enough sunscreen. This fact led to the FDA creating guidelines that state people should reapply sunscreen every two hours. By doing this, you ensure there’s enough SPF on your skin, taking into account you likely didn’t apply an adequate amount to begin with.

Since then, dozens of studies have shown that almost any step you can take to get more sunblock on your face and body means you will be better protected. So, just like reapplying the same SPF product two hours later gives you more protection from the sun (and makes up for the sunscreen becoming less effective from ongoing sun exposure), layering more than one SPF product gives you greater protection before you even leave the house, and is a great tip that everyone should follow!

There’s one caveat: Exactly how much added protection you get from layering is not a clear science. For example, applying an anti-aging moisturizer with SPF 30, a primer with SPF 30, and then a foundation with SPF 15 doesn’t add up to SPF 75, but it does exponentially add sun protection and that’s what matters.

Due to this unknown, make sure that one of the SPF products you’re applying is rated at least SPF 30 and that you apply it evenly and liberally before stepping outside to prevent sunburn.

Visit our online shop for our range of sunscreen products.

References for this information

Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences, October 2021, pages 1,273–1,285
Skin Research and Technology, September 2021, pages 751–757
Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, and Photomedicine, November 2019, pages 442–446; April-June 2014, pages 96-101
Nanocosmetics: past, present and future trends, 2015, pages 3–11
Science, February 2015, pages 842-847
Annals of Internal Medicine, June 2013, pages 781-790
Clinical Experimental Dermatology, December 2012, pages 904-908
Cutis, December 2012, pages 321-326
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, March 2012, pages 1220-1227; February 2010, pages 218-222; and December 2001, pages 882-885
British Journal of Dermatology, February 2010, pages 415-419; and April 2007, pages 716-719