Best Way to Apply Face Oil with Sunscreen: The Right Order for Glowing, Protected Skin
Have you ever wondered: “Should I apply face oil before sunscreen or after?” If yes, you are not alone. This is one of the most common skincare confusions, and for good reason. Oils are nourishing and give you that glow, while sunscreen is essential to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. But when you mix the two in the wrong order, you may not get the full benefits of either.
Here is the truth: the order in which you apply face oil and sunscreen matters a lot. Do it correctly, and your skin will look radiant while staying protected. Do it incorrectly, and your sunscreen’s power can weaken, leaving your skin exposed to damage.
In this guide, we will clear up the confusion once and for all. You will learn:
- The correct way to use face oil with sunscreen
- Why the order of application matters
- Tips to avoid common mistakes
- And how you can create a simple morning routine using Avry1 Pretty’s Purity Face Oil and Protect Sunscreen Cream.
Why Order Matters in Skincare
Your skincare routine is like building layers on your skin. Each product has a different job, and the order in which you apply them decides whether they will work or not. If the layers are applied wrong, even the best products can become useless.
Think of it like making a sandwich: if you put lettuce on top of bread and then spread butter over it, it just will not work. The same goes for skincare the wrong order means poor absorption and wasted effort.
The golden rule is simple: apply products from thinnest to thickest consistency.
Here is why:
- Lightweight serums go first → Serums are usually water-based and full of active ingredients (like Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid). They need to penetrate deep into your skin. If you put oil or cream before them, the heavy layer will block them out.
- Moisturizers follow → Moisturizers hydrate the skin and add softness. They also help seal in the actives from your serum.
- Face oils seal everything in → Oils do not hydrate (add water) but they lock in the moisture and nutrients from your previous steps. They act like a shield to prevent water loss.
- Sunscreen always comes last (in the morning) → Sunscreen needs to form an even protective layer on top of your skin. If you put anything on top of sunscreen, it can break that shield and reduce protection.
What happens if you mess up the order?
- Serum on top of oil = will not absorb properly.
- Oil after sunscreen = weakens SPF power.
- Heavy cream before serum = active ingredients get blocked.
So, following the right sequence is the difference between products actually working vs just sitting on your face.
Face Oil vs Sunscreen – Their Roles
Before we talk about the right way to use them together, it’s important to understand that face oils and sunscreens have completely different jobs in your skincare routine. One works on nourishing your skin from the inside, while the other works on protecting your skin from the outside.
Face Oil
Face oils are like superfoods for your skin. They are rich in natural fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that keep your skin soft, supple, and glowing.
- Nourishment: Oils feed your skin essential nutrients it cannot always get from diet alone.
- Locks in hydration: If you have applied a moisturizer, oil acts like a lid on a jar, preventing all that hydration from evaporating.
- Barrier repair: Oils strengthen your skin barrier, helping it stays strong against dryness and irritation.
- Glow factor: They instantly make your skin look radiant and healthy.
- Best time to use: Oils usually work best as the last “nourishing” step before sunscreen in the morning (just a few drops), or as the final step at night to seal everything in while your skin repairs itself during sleep.
In short, face oils make your skin feel and look good now by adding nourishment and glow.
Sunscreen
If oils are food for your skin, sunscreen is like your armor. It does not feed the skin, but it shields it from the biggest external enemy: the sun’s UV rays.
- Protection against UVA and UVB: UVA rays cause premature aging (fine lines, wrinkles), while UVB rays cause burning and tanning. Sunscreen protects from both.
- Prevents long-term damage: It helps stop sunspots, pigmentation, sagging, and even reduces the risk of skin cancer.
- Daily essential: Whether you use oils or not, sunscreen is non-negotiable every single morning. Even on cloudy days or when you’re indoors, UV rays can reach your skin through windows and damage it.
In simple words: Sunscreen protects your skin’s future.
The Balance Between the Two
So, while face oils make your skin look nourished and glowing today, sunscreen ensures your skin stays youthful and healthy for years to come. They are not replacements for each other instead, they complement one another perfectly when used in the right order.
The Correct Way to Apply Face Oil with Sunscreen
Here is the step-by-step order for your morning routine:
- Cleanser – Wash off dirt and excess oil.
- Serum (optional) – Apply water-based serums like Vitamin C for added glow.
- Moisturizer – Hydrate your skin.
- Face Oil – Take 2–3 drops of a lightweight oil (like Purity Face Oil) and gently press into your skin.
- Sunscreen – Apply a generous layer (SPF 30 or above) as the final step.
Important: Never apply oil after sunscreen. Oil can create a layer that breaks down sunscreen and reduces its SPF protection. Always keep sunscreen last in the routine.
Tips for Using Oils & Sunscreen Together
- Choose lightweight oils (jojoba, rosehip, grapeseed) in the daytime to avoid greasiness.
- Wait at least 2–3 minutes after applying oil before putting on sunscreen. This prevents “slipping.”
- If you wear makeup, go light on oil → too much oil before sunscreen can cause foundation to pill.
- Always use broad-spectrum SPF 30+, even on cloudy days.
- Reapply sunscreen every 2–3 hours if you are outdoors. Oil does not replace SPF.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Applying oil after sunscreen → lowers SPF effectiveness.
- ❌ Mixing oil directly into sunscreen → can dilute the formula.
- ❌ Thinking oil alone protects skin → oils may have antioxidants but they cannot block UV rays.
- ❌ Using too much oil in the morning → makes sunscreen slide off or makeup greasy.
Recommended Routine with Avry1 Pretty Products
Here is how you can build an effective AM routine using Avry1 Pretty’s products:
- Step 1: Cleanser → wash your face gently.
- Step 2: Moisturizer → lock in hydration.
- Step 3: Purity Face Oil → 2–3 drops for glow and nourishment.
- Step 4: Protect Sunscreen Cream → final shield against UV rays.
Together, these two products make your skin nourished, glowing, and safe from sun damage.
FAQs
1. Can I mix face oil with sunscreen?
No. Mixing can alter the sunscreen formula and reduce SPF. Always layer them separately.
2. Is face oil with SPF enough?
No. Even if an oil has natural SPF (like raspberry or carrot seed oil), it is too weak compared to a proper sunscreen. Always use a dedicated SPF.
3. Can I wear makeup after oil + sunscreen?
Yes. Just let your oil absorb for 2 minutes, apply sunscreen, and then go ahead with primer or foundation.
4. Which oil is best to use under sunscreen?
Light oils like jojoba, rosehip, or blends like Purity Face Oil are best. Avoid heavy oils (like coconut oil) in daytime.
5. Should oily skin people use oil before sunscreen?
Yes, but sparingly. Use 1–2 drops of a lightweight oil. Too much oil can feel greasy, but a little can balance and protect oily skin.
Also Read - Can Face Oil Replace Moisturizer?
Conclusion
Face oils and sunscreen are not competitors; they are partners that work best when used together. Oils bring nourishment, repair, and glow, while sunscreen provides the ultimate shield against harmful UV rays. One takes care of how your skin feels today, and the other protects how it will look years from now.
The secret is all about the right order:
- Apply oil first to seal in hydration and feed your skin with nutrients.
- Finish with sunscreen to guard your skin from aging, tanning, and sunburn.
When you get this combination right, your morning routine becomes both effective and effortless. You do not have to choose between glow and protection you can enjoy both.
For the best results, try pairing Avry1 Pretty’s Purity Face Oil, a unique blend of 10 natural oils that deeply nourish and repair, with Avry1 Pretty’s Protect Sunscreen Cream, designed to give broad-spectrum defense against sun damage. Together, they make the perfect AM duo for skin that is radiant, healthy, and safe under the sun.
