You know how important using mineral sunscreen is, and you know you need to wear it every day, but where do you include it in your routine?! We’ll make it simple: Sunscreen should be the very last step of your skincare routine, right before applying makeup.

You may be thinking “My foundation has SPF in it, so I don’t need to use additional sunscreen!” Sorry to break it to you, but the SPF in foundation is NOT enough to protect your skin all day from the sun’s rays. You would need to layer on makeup as much as 15 times thicker than you normally would to get the UV protection promised by the SPF rating on a bottle of foundation. Besides having to cake on your makeup, remember that your face isn’t the only thing that needs protection. It’s easy to fall into the habit of only applying sunscreen to the same area you apply your skincare- your face. Make sure you’re also applying sunscreen to your neck, arms and any other skin exposed to the sun. Commonly forgotten areas that may need some extra attention are the tops of your ears and the delicate skin around your eyes.

Luckily, SPF can actually provide a perfect base for makeup application. Tinted sunscreens are great because they can help even out your complexion, whether you want to wear foundation on top or not! We love CoTZ Prime & Protect Tinted SPF 40 for its blurring effect, as well as it's primer-like finish that helps hold makeup in place for hours. CoTZ Face Moisture Lightly Tinted SPF 35 provides the same matte finish, but with added ceramides to help retain the skin’s moisture. If you have a drier complexion, or like a dewier finish, CoTZ Flawless Complexion Tinted SPF 50 or Sensitive Non-Tinted SPF 40 are perfect for you! With 20% Zinc Oxide, these sunscreens provide the perfect canvas for makeup to glide right on top! Unlike other skincare products, which are meant to penetrate the skin, sunscreen should sit on top of your skin, where it can reflect any UV rays away.

Another important step: reapplication. It’s super important to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. It's easy on a makeup-free day, but what happens when you already have on a full face of makeup, and don’t want to ruin your amazing work? Don’t skimp on sunscreen and risk a burn! We have a solution: the makeup sponge. Put your sunscreen on the end of your sponge, and lightly press the sunscreen onto your skin. This way, you’re sure to be protected, but without the makeup mishaps! If you like a matte finish, this is also a great way to get rid of any excess shine that has escaped throughout the day.

With the simple addition of mineral SPF to your skincare routine, go ahead and enjoy the sun while keeping your skin protected!