Summer Skin

What Should You Put Under Your Sunscreen? The Layer Most People Skip

Most people treat sunscreen as the beginning and end of sun protection. In reality, what you wear underneath it is what gives your skin its best chance in the summer months. Here is the layer to add, and why it matters.

What should you put under sunscreen?

An antioxidant serum, ideally one rich in vitamin C. Worn in the morning under your sunscreen, an antioxidant serum works beneath the surface to help defend your skin against the free radical damage the sun and daily pollution create. It also helps your sunscreen work harder throughout the day. Sunscreen shields from the top, the antioxidant serum defends from underneath, and together they cover far more than either does alone.

Why do antioxidants belong under your SPF?

When your skin is exposed to sunlight and pollution, it produces unstable molecules called free radicals. Left unchecked, they chip away at the collagen that keeps skin firm and smooth, which shows up over time as dullness, uneven tone, and fine lines. Antioxidants like vitamin C neutralize those free radicals. That is why a daytime antioxidant serum is one of the most useful things you can layer under sunscreen in summer: it is quietly working against the exact damage the sun is trying to cause.

Which serum does Joanna reach for?

Her go-to is the Rescue Serum, a concentrated vitamin C and squalane formula that evens tone, builds resilience, and boosts radiance. Apply a thin layer to clean, dry skin in the morning, before your moisturizer and sunscreen. In the evening, the Rejuvenating Serum is a longtime favorite for calming skin after a day of sun and salt water.

Does moisturizer still go under sunscreen too?

Yes. The full order is serum first, then moisturizer, then sunscreen on top as your last step. Your antioxidant serum sits closest to the skin where it can absorb, and your sunscreen sits on the surface where it belongs.

One tip on how to store your antioxidants

Antioxidants break down when they are exposed to light and air, so look for serums in opaque packaging with a pump or dropper rather than an open jar. It keeps the formula active for longer.