As a dermatologist-led brand, SPF is an essential part of our daily body care routine year-round, but especially in summer.
As the temperature rises, more skin is on show and exposed to the sun for longer, which makes knowing when to apply SPF in your skincare routine just as important below the neck as above it.
Here's exactly how to layer your summer body routine, step by step, so every product, including SPF, can actually do its job.
Why Layering Order Matters
Apply products in the wrong order and you risk diluting actives, blocking absorption and/or compromising your sun protection.
The rule of thumb: layer from thinnest to thickest. Lightweight, water-based formulas (cleansers, serums) go on first so they can be absorbed into the skin; richer, heavier formulas (lotions, butters) go on top to seal everything in.
Body SPF is always the final step. Sun protection needs to sit on the surface of the skin to form an even, effective protective layer. Tuck it underneath a heavier moisturizer and you've effectively diluted and buried your protection before you've left the house.
The Right Order for Your Summer Body Routine
STEP 1: CLEANSE
Remove sunscreen, sweat, salt water and daily buildup to create the perfect foundation for everything that follows.
Use: Moon Swim Body Wash
STEP 2: MOISTURIZE
Apply moisturizer while skin is still slightly damp to help lock in hydration and support the skin barrier.
Use: Little Love Body Lotion
STEP 3: SPF, ALL OVER
Daily broad-spectrum SPF helps protect against UV damage, premature skin aging, pigmentation and collagen breakdown.
As Dr Alexis puts it: consistency is what makes a routine work - a great serum applied once a week will never outperform a good one used every day, and the same is true of SPF.
Where SPF Fits (and Why It Goes Last)
SPF works by forming a protective film on the surface of the skin. If you apply it before your moisturiser, that film gets disturbed, diluted or pushed around as you layer more product on top. Moisturiser (or body oil, serum, or any other treatment step) needs to be applied and given time to absorb first, so that SPF can sit cleanly on top and do the one job it has: block UV.
A few practical notes on when to apply SPF:
1. Apply SPF as the final step of your morning routine, roughly 15 minutes before sun exposure, to let it settle.
2. Use enough product. Most people apply far too little body SPF to achieve the protection level stated on the bottle.
3. Reapply throughout the day, especially after swimming, sweating, or toweling off. One application in the morning is not enough for a full day outdoors, no matter how high the SPF number.
The Body Skin That's Often Missed
Most of us are diligent about our faces and forget the rest. But the areas most commonly skipped are often the ones that show sun damage first:
Chest and neck: thin, delicate skin that's rarely covered, even in modest summer clothing
Hands: exposed almost constantly, in and out of sunlight, all day, every day
Tops of feet: easy to miss in sandals and often the first area to burn at the beach or poolside
Common Summer Body Care Mistakes
1. Applying SPF under moisturiser.
2. Applying SPF only in the morning. SPF wears off through sweat, water and simply time. Reapplication is what actually determines how protected you are by 4 pm.
3. Treating your face daily and your body as an afterthought. If your face gets a full routine every morning and your body gets nothing.
4. Heavy layers that pill in the heat. In warmer months, swap rich butters for lighter lotions and serums during the day, saving heavier formulas for evening, so SPF has a smooth, non-pilling surface to sit on.
FAQs
Do you apply SPF before or after moisturizer?
After. Moisturizer (and any serum or treatment) should be fully absorbed first. SPF is always the final step, applied on top.
Do I really need SPF on my body?
Yes. UV exposure affects all exposed skin, not just the face, and areas like the chest, hands and feet are often the least protected and the first to show visible sun damage. A body SPF should be part of your daily routine whenever skin is exposed, not just on beach days.
How often should I reapply?
Roughly every two hours when outdoors, and immediately after swimming, sweating heavily, or towel-drying. Even with a water-resistant formula, reapplication after water exposure is essential.
Can I use body oil and SPF together?
Body oil and body lotion both hydrate, but they behave differently under SPF. Oils sit on the skin's surface and can make SPF harder to apply evenly or cause it to slide, while lotions tend to absorb more predictably underneath. If you love a body oil, apply it, give it time to fully absorb, and then apply SPF on top as usual -avoid mixing them together or applying SPF first.