The L.A.Times' People's Pharmacy columnists answer this great mystery of summer just as it draws to a close: which should one apply first, sunscreeen or insect repellent? And the answer is: sunscreen.
But wait, there's more. The People's Pharmacy points out that the CDC advises not to use combination products containing repellents
and sunscreens: "DEET-containing insect repellents may decrease the
effectiveness of sunscreens, and sunscreens may increase absorption of
DEET through the skin."