• Skincare
  • Makeup
  • Fragrance
  • Self-Care & Wellness
  • About

The Beauty Gypsy

Luxury beauty * Self care * Sustainability

You are here: Home / Skincare / The 9 best sunscreens for wearing under makeup (yes, they exist!)

The 9 best sunscreens for wearing under makeup (yes, they exist!)

We get it: Sunscreen can be sticky, greasy, heavy, leave a ghostly white cast and make your makeup slide off by midday. So, do you really need sunscreen before makeup? 

Short answer: YES.

Sunscreen is non-negotiable — even under makeup. Skip the SPF and you’re laying your skin wide open to dark spots, acne scarring, wrinkles, fines lines, sagging skin… not to talk about skin cancer.

In fact, experts estimate that 90% of premature skin ageing is a direct consequence of not wearing sunscreen and that literally everything else in your skincare routine is totally useless if the complexion is not protected against sun damage. 

And no… the SPF-enriched makeup does not help protect against the sun damage. Firstly, for adequate sun protection you will need to apply a dollop about the size of a nickel on your face — that’s roughly seven times the amount of foundation than is normal even for full coverage. Which is not going to be a good look.

best sunscreen under makeupSecondly, makeup isn’t always applied evenly and comes off easily, which makes it a notoriously ineffective ‘screen against the sun.

And, finally, it’s important to remember that the FDA has very strict standards (and with good reason given the scope of sun damage) for what constitutes a sunscreen. Makeup with sun protective ingredients doesn’t actually qualify as sunscreen — it’s just still makeup with a little extra thrown in.

So, you absolutely do need sunscreen under your makeup — at least if you want good skin for the rest of your life.

Fortunately, there’s a whole new crop of sunscreens for makeup that actually give your foundations, powders and blushes a smooth base along wth staying power (think transparent formulations, no greasiness, magnifying ingredients like silica and lightweight textures that layer without pilling) rather than hinder the process. 

Best sunscreens under makeup

Sounds like a lot to ask from SPF but the perfect sunscreen for makeup does exist! Where to find these skincare unicorns?

We have rounded off the best sunscreens for under makeup. Pick. Choose. Create the perfect face. And keep it going through the day.

PS: Check out this post for the best sunscreens over makeup when you need to top up through the day!

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 PA+++

An absolutely clear gel that literally disappears into skin within seconds sans any white cast (even on darker skin tones), feels like nothing and dries down to a blurring finish — almost like a primer. Plus, it’s also sweat- and water-resistant. This one is my personal favorite sunscreen for makeup.

best sunscreen under makeup goop

BUY NOW

Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40

There’s a reason Supergoop! rules the sunscreen stakes… they make a sunscreen for literally every skin type. If yours tends to be on the drier side, the Glowscreen has added hyaluronic acid for hydration (so makeup doesn’t start getting cakey), along with the same blurring effect and sheer weightlessness of the Supergoop! Unseen (above).

best sunscreen under makeup supergoop

BUY NOW

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen SPF 60

A velvety textured sunscreen that’s ultra-light, oil-free, non-shiny, non-greasy, fragrance-free and melts into skin like a dream — quickly and without any white residue. It’s also water-resistant for 80 minutes, in case you and your (waterproof) makeup are planning any swimming activities.

best sunscreen under makeup LRP

BUY NOW

Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen

It’s a handful of a name but like all things that RiRi’s magic touches, this oil-free sunscreen layers perfectly under the heaviest makeup, with no piling or flashback. It also won’t appear ashy even on the darkest complexions and is made from coral-reef friendly ingredients.

sunscreen for makeup fonts

BUY NOW

Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen

What makes this one of the best sunscreens for under makeup? Not only does it provide broad spectrum protection without any residue, it actually visibly diminishes the appearance of enlarged pores (with silk and Japanese rose extracts) to create a smooth base for foundations and powders. Win-win!

sunscreen for makeup tatcha

BUY NOW

Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50

This sunscreen is more like a primer that sets the perfect great base for the rest of your makeup with its sheer, velvety texture and a formula that actually mops ups extra oils through the day. It goes on white but dries completely transparent, so don’t have a panic attack the first time you try it out!

sunscreen before makeup Lancôme

BUY NOW

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF50+

No chalkiness, no sweatiness, no greasiness… pure perfection.

sunscreen before makeup shiseido

BUY NOW

Peter Thomas Roth Max Clear Invisible Priming Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45

This clear gel-based, water-resistant sunscreen gel delivers a hefty dose of hydration while drying down like a blurring primer, creating a translucent soft-focus finish for flawless makeup application.

sunscreen before makeup PTR

BUY NOW

Bloomeffects Tulip Dew Sunscreen Serum SPF 50

This new launch from Bloomeffects is one of the best under makeup sunscreens with tulip extracts in a mineral SPF base for a true skincare-meets-suncare combination. It goes on as lightweight as a serum, sinking into the skin without any chalkiness, ashiness or grease spills. 

sunscreen before makeup bloomeffects

BUY NOW

PS: There’s another kind of light that’s damaging your skin RIGHT now, as you are reading this article. It’s called blue light and is given off by electronic devices. And it has the potential to cause even more skin damage than UVA and UVB rays. Read all about blue light, why it’s wrecking your skin and all the solutions right HERE!

you'll also love


  • The easiest (and most effective) sunburn treatments EVER. And they’re all from your kitchen

  • Beauty emergencies: How to fix a bad-everything day

  • Beauty fact or fiction: Does your skin need to “breathe”?

Comments

  1. Jackie A says

    May 25, 2022 at 22:33

    Love this list and I want to add one that I recently discovered that also plays well with others. Biossance SQUALANE + ZINC SHEER MINERAL SUNSCREEN. It’s a new favorite.

    Reply
  2. Liata says

    September 19, 2022 at 07:51

    Wish more of these were mineral sunscreens. The chemical type burns my eyes.

    Reply
  3. Terraria says

    February 9, 2023 at 21:16

    I also think that there is no need to put on poor sunscreen when wearing makeup, it makes the face heavy, sticky and the background is not beautiful.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Next Post >

World Bee Day: Because without bees, the world will end in FOUR years

About me

Anubha Charan is a luxury beauty blogger who has worked at some of the world's leading lifestyle publications, including Marie Claire, Vogue and Cosmopolitan. Read More…

Search

Trending on the blog

jar of honey for skin

Is honey really good for your skin?

magenta lipstick trend

Magenta lipsticks: How to wear the hottest makeup trend of 2023 (plus 10 best picks!)

Forget the fruit, stock up on avocado leaves instead for maximum beauty benefits

hey there!

I am Anubha... a former Beauty Director at Marie Claire and current global wanderer. I have a soft spot for beauty products that are super-effective, sustainable AND create a luxurious self care experience.

Beauty

  • Skincare
  • Acne
  • Product reviews
  • Hair
  • Makeup
  • Fragrance
  • Nails

Lifestyle

  • Self-Care & Wellness
  • Candles
  • Fashion
  • Just me!
  • Privacy Policy for The Beauty Gypsy

Copyright © 2023 The Beauty Gypsy · Theme by 17th Avenue

 

Loading Comments...