Social media beauty trends can be a mixed bag; sometimes clever, sometimes questionable. But the viral ‘Sunscreen Sandwich’ gets one thing absolutely right; anything that encourages better sun protection is worth paying attention to.
And it’s needed, considering only one in six Brits wear SPF daily while a third rely on makeup or moisturiser with SPF instead of a dedicated sunscreen according to a 2026 OnePoll survey. Let’s be clear; makeup with SPF alone is not enough, but used as part of a well-layered routine it can play an excellent supporting role. The ‘sunscreen sandwich’ is all about strategic layering; combining skincare, sunscreen and makeup to maximise both protection and hydration. Like any good sandwich, it comes down to quality ingredients, and the order you stack them.
Order of the day
“The ideal ‘sandwich’ involves applying your active serums first, followed by a moisturiser and finishing with a generous layer of sunscreen,” says consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto. “Sunscreen (two finger lengths) must always be the final step in your skincare routine to ensure it forms an uninterrupted, protective shield. If you apply serums or moisturisers on top, you risk diluting its efficacy, leaving skin vulnerable to UV damage.” Anjali recommends allowing your skincare to fully absorb, waiting a minute or two between your moisturiser and sunscreen to prevent the products from pilling.
Perfect pairings
© Javier DiezSome combinations work harder together. “Vitamin C and sunscreen are a powerful defensive pairing against environmental skin damage,” explains Anjali. “While sunscreen blocks or absorbs the majority of harmful UV rays, a vitamin C serum acts as a backup, neutralising free radicals that slip through. Together, they provide a comprehensive, dual-layered defence system against premature ageing and pigmentation.” And actives to steer clear of? “Retinoids should generally remain in your evening routine, as UV light degrades the active ingredient and renders it ineffective if worn during the day. They can also make skin more photosensitive, increasing your risk of sunburn if your sunscreen application is not absolutely flawless.”
Extra rewards
“Makeup containing UV filters can offer a small bonus layer of defence, but you must always apply a dedicated, primary sunscreen underneath it first,” says Anjali. “When applying foundation over your sunscreen, use a gentle patting or stippling motion with a sponge or brush rather than aggressive rubbing, which can disrupt and displace the protective film you just created.” The reality is simple; no one applies foundation thickly enough to achieve the SPF level listed on the label but adding it into your sandwich? Chef’s kiss.
Build your SPF sandwich according to your skin type:
NORMAL SKIN TYPES
‘Normal’ skin types that can handle most active ingredients can boost their routine with a powerful antioxidant serum like Alastin’s C Radical Defence Antioxidant Serum. Packed with 14 advanced antioxidants this next-generation vitamin C innovation helps defend and brighten the skin. Add a double whammy of free-radical fighting prowess with an SPF like Environ’s Rad Active Antioxidant Sun Cream SPF20; a blend of mineral and low-level chemical filters with a high performance antioxidant complex. Then, for an extra layer of defence and glow, Garnier’s brilliant Vitamin C Wondertint SPF50 is a beauty editor favourite, loved for its lightweight feel and skin-forward formula.
Environ Rad Active Antioxidant Sun Cream SPF20
Alastin C Radical Defence Antoxidant Serum
OILY SKIN TYPES
Skip the shine, keep the protection. SPF is the nemesis to oily complexions and often one of the reasons cited for shirking it altogether but times (and formulas) have changed. Take Eucerin’s Sun Face Oil Control Daily UV Serum which is specifically formulated to visibly reduce oiliness and shine and the mattifying texture makes for the perfect make-up base. Layer over a vitamin C serum suitable for oily skin such as IS Clinical’s Super Serum Advance + and finish with a skin tint like Naked Sundays BeautyScreen™ SPF50 Peptide Foundation Tint whose nano zinc mineral formula is ideal for oily and acne-prone skin.
Eucerin Sun Face Oil Control Daily UV Serum SPF 50+
Naked Sundays BeautyScreen™ SPF50 Peptide Foundation Tint
DRY SKIN TYPES
If parched skin is your main concern, your SPF sandwich needs to be a masterclass in hydration. Trade standard vitamin C serums for a more nourishing cream formula; Evolve’s Vital Glow Vitamin C Cream hits the mark perfectly, combining brightening prowess with a comforting blend of hyaluronic acid and rosehip oil. Follow with a quenching SPF such as Laneige’s Water Bank UV Barrier Sunscreen SPF50 which delivers deep, long-lasting hydration while defending from UV nasties. Finish with a cult classic - Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer in the ‘Natural Dewy iteration’ for cosseting coverage.
LANEIGE Water Bank UV Barrier Sunscreen SPF50
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Dewy SPF30
SENSITIVE SKIN TYPES
If your skin balks at AHAs and flares up at the slightest change in weather your SPF sandwich requires a gentle touch. Start with Beauty of Joseon’s Light on Serum; Centella + Vita C. This gentle, brightening treatment pairs a 10% stable vitamin C derivative with 68% Centella Asiatica to soothe irritation while fading pigmentation. Follow with a fragrance-free shield like Shiseido’s Expert Sun Protector Lotion Sensitive SPF50 which is infused with 85% skincare ingredients including Aloe vera to calm reactive complexions. Finish your routine with a tinted moisturiser (mineral formulas like Merit Beauty’s The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 are often better tolerated by easily triggered skin barriers).
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion Mineral SPF 60+
Beauty of Joseon Light on Serum Centella + Vita C
Merit Beauty The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50,
ACNE PRONE SKIN TYPES
Steering clear of vitamin C is a common reflex for breakout-prone complexions, but not all formulas are created equal. SkinCeuticals’ Silymarin CF delivers the gold-standard antioxidant protection you’d expect from the editor-approved brand, while actively reducing oil oxidation to prevent future blemishes. Navigating sun care can be equally treacherous, so layer on a weightless, soothing shield like iUnik’s Centella Calming Daily Sun Screen. For the final step, look for coverage with real clout: Erborian’s Super BB Cream offers high-performance, non-comedogenic camouflage that actively treats acne-prone skin while completely veiling imperfections.
Erborian Super BB FullCoverage BB Cream For Acne-Prone Skin SPF20
MATURE SKIN TYPES
Remember when you could stay up until 3am, use toothpaste as a spot treatment, and only wore SPF on beach trips? What your skin seemingly tolerated in your twenties simply won't cut it now; mature complexions require a highly targeted approach. Up the antioxidant ante with Medik8’s Super C Ferulic, formulated with a potent 30% stabilised vitamin C to visibly brighten and firm. Next, layer on a comforting shield like Caudalie’s Vinosun High Protection Glow Oil SPF50, which utilizes their exclusive CollagenSkinProtect technology to defend against photo-ageing. Finish with Kay Beauty’s Hydro Glow Tinted Sunscreen SPF40 for a luminous, skin-boosting veil that locks in hydration and blurs fine lines.
Kay Beauty Hydra Glow Tinted Sunscreen SPF40
