We Tested 20+ Contenders—These Are the Only Sunscreens Beauty Editors Will Wear Under Makeup
A Love Island makeup artist confirms our top pick preserves a beat in the Fiji heat.
When it comes to finding the best sunscreens on the market, beauty editors don't mess around. After all, several factors determine whether a sunscreen will become a permanent part of your routine, and it all boils down to the formula. Does it leave a white cast? Will it irritate acne-prone or sensitive skin? Does it pair well with makeup? As beauty editors, we test-drive handfuls of sunscreens per month and have access to your favorite celebrities' makeup artists, so we can confidently recommend products that work for everyone.
Many makeup wearers consider the compatibility of a sunscreen with their daily face products before they purchase it at all—determining whether its formula will gel with daily essentials like primer, foundation, and skin tint. It's the second thing I check for after seeing if it irritates my skin, a necessary step when you have sensitive and/or acne-prone skin. "The ideal sunscreen for under makeup will feel nongreasy and won't pill," says Melissa Murdick, celebrity makeup artist and self-proclaimed sunscreen evangelist. "We want something that feels like it absorbs in instead of sitting on top of the skin—kind of like a good moisturizer. A 'bad' sunscreen will be too thick, cause pilling, or possibly make your foundation look patchy as it goes on."
If you're unsure where to start the search for your perfect SPF, you've come to the right place. Beauty editors and celeb MUAs shared the best sunscreens to wear under makeup—tried and tested on us and their celebrity clientele. Keep scrolling for the 10 sunscreens that will not only protect your skin but also lock your look in place.
The Best Sunscreens to Wear Under Makeup of 2026, at a Glance
- Best Overall: EltaMD UV Clear Sunscreen SPF 46
- Best Mineral: Paula's Choice Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
- Best Primer: Ultra Violette Sequin Supreme SPF 50 Glow-Boosting Priming Sunscreen
- Best Glowy: Supergoop! Glowscreen Sunscreen SPF 40
- Best Serum: Isdin Fusion Water Magic SPF 40
Best Overall: EltaMD UV Clear Sunscreen SPF 46
Pros: Oil-free formula, absorbs quickly, very hydrating, never pills
Cons: A bit pricey (but worth every penny)
Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, octinoxate, 5% niacinamide
Skin type: All
Of all the face sunscreens on the market, none comes as highly recommended as the UV Clear Sunscreen SPF 46 from EltaMD. The lightweight, soothing formula absorbs into the skin quickly, allowing you to start your makeup almost immediately after (though the pros suggest that you allow the product to absorb for a few minutes to prevent pilling). "It's actually what I packed for Fiji to use on my clients, Ciara Miller and Tefi Pessoa, for Love Island: Aftersun," says celebrity makeup artist Kasey Spickard. "It's not overly greasy. It dries down quickly and almost has a cream-to-powder finish, which is perfect under makeup." The formula works on all skin types, including acne-prone, rosacea-afflicted, and mature skin. Spickard points out that you can also nab this SPF in a redness-reducing version to color-correct irritation or accidental sunburns.
Customer review: "This is the perfect sunscreen for skin that's a little acne-prone. I wear it every day as a primer under my makeup, and it has never broken me out. The protection is solid too—I've never gotten burned when using it."
Best Mineral: Paula's Choice Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Pros: Soothes sensitive skin, lightweight texture, plays well with face makeup
Cons: None we can think of
Key ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc, allantoin, centella asiatica
Skin type: All
Chemical sunscreens tend to be a bit easier to work with when applying makeup on top, but that doesn't mean that all mineral SPFs are off the table. If you prefer a mineral formula, Murdick recommends trying the Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen from Paula's Choice, a lightweight and gentle formula that offers a hydrated, but never greasy, finish. This SPF lies beautifully under makeup (rare for a mineral formula) and can even help sensitive skin become less reactive with continuous use thanks to a calming infusion of allantoin and centella asiatica.
Customer review: "This is hands down the best mineral sunscreen I have used! It is lightweight, layers beautifully under makeup, and does not leave skin super shiny. It's perfect for my sensitive skin."
Best Primer: Ultra Violette Sequin Supreme SPF 50 Glow-Boosting Priming Sunscreen
Pros: Absorbs quickly, hydrating formula, prolongs makeup wear time
Cons: Formula can read a bit sparkly in certain lighting
Key ingredients: Octocrylene, homosalate, plant-based pentavitin, squalane
Skin type: Normal, dry, combination
If you want a sunscreen that perfectly straddles the line between makeup primer and SPF, you've hit the jackpot. Australian sunscreen brand Ultra Violette is a beauty-editor favorite thanks to its upgraded formulas and sleek packaging, but the Sequin Supreme Priming Sunscreen is a must-have for its hydrating, makeup-preserving, and sun-shielding properties. I mean, it's tested under the burning Australian sun. If it works there, it works anywhere.
A glowy version of the beloved Supreme Screen, this formula protects the skin with SPF 50 and offers up to 72 hours of hydration with squalane and plant-based pentavitin, offering a plump, glowy surface for your makeup to cling to. Not that it necessarily matters, but it comes in display-worthy packaging too.
Customer review: "I am a very picky old lady. My sunscreen is a non-negotiable. I love every sunscreen from this brand. This particular version gives me a glow that lasts for hours. I love it. It is a perfect base under my makeup."
Best Glowy: Supergoop! Glowscreen Sunscreen SPF 40
Pros: Offers a subtle glow, grips makeup well, hydrating formula
Cons: May be too occlusive for oily skin
Key ingredients: Avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene
Skin type: Normal, dry, combination
Basically, the entire WWW beauty team can vouch for this cult-loved formula from Supergoop! You'll love this one if you prefer a radiant, pearly finish to mix with your foundation. Hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, sea lavender, and cocoa peptides also keep skin nourished and hydrated throughout the day.
Customer review: "I love this product so much! I use it every day after my skincare and wear it on its own and under makeup. It has a super glowy finish but doesn’t get too oily."
Best Serum: Isdin Fusion Water Magic SPF 40
Pros: Lightweight and absorbent texture, skincare-packed serum formula, never pills under makeup
Cons: A little expensive but highly recommended by derms
Key ingredients: Mediterranean algae, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
Skin type: All
I'm a big fan of Isdin's dermatologist-loved Fusion Water Magic—a Mediterranean SPF potent enough to handle the Euro summer sun and a flawless base under everything from light makeup to full glam. I first tried this sunscreen in the Miami heat and was blown away by how its lightweight, silky serum melted into my skin, serving as a smoothing base for my makeup and an effective shield for the beach. It's noncomedogenic and sensitive skin–friendly, meaning it won't make your eyes tear or your skin sting if you have an irritable complexion or rosacea (ahem, me). Not only does this serum-screen protect your skin from the sun and effectively hydrate with a lush mixture of Mediterranean algae, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E, but it also shields you from blue light and pollution while never ever pilling under your concealer. I can't rave about this stuff enough.
Customer review: "I received a sample with another order, and I am in love and just ordered more full-sized bottles. Shake the bottle, apply the silky smooth sunscreen like button on hot toast, [and] then it soaks into your skin with a perfectly hydrated and matte finish. I think it creates a photo finish coverage. My skin texture and pores look smooth and amazing, plus sun protection. Was using EltaMD forever but [I'm] now leveling up with this one."
Best Milk: Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen SPF 50
Pros: Featherlight texture, deeply hydrating, corrects sun-induced hyperpigmentation
Cons: Quite expensive
Key ingredients: Ectoin, vitamin E, Okinawa aloe
Skin type: All
As the world of sunscreen continues to evolve, so do its formulas, and "sunscreen milks" has been a buzzword among beauty editors since last summer. Tatcha's Milky Sunscreen is a 2026 favorite thanks to its fluid texture, highly hydrating ingredients (we can thank ectoin, vitamin E, and Okinawa aloe for that), and impressive sun protection, packing SPF 50 into the featherlight formula. I've found this sunscreen to work particularly well under makeup, and it gels beautifully when bronzing drops are added for extra color. If your main priority is makeup hold and barely-there texture, then this SPF is the one for you.
Customer review: "I'm on my way home from a week at the beach where I used this sunscreen every day, and I can truthfully say it's the best I've ever used on my oily, breakout-prone 66-year-old skin!! It's very lightweight, absorbs easily and is invisible on my skin, and best of all, not a single clogged pore or breakout! I bought the travel size but I'm ordering a full size when I get home."
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Sofie Pavitt Face Screentime Non-Comedogenic Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 30
Pros: Safe for acne-prone skin, no white cast, evens tone and texture
Cons: Some shoppers say the finish is too shiny
Key ingredients: Ectoin, niacinamide, vitamin E
Skin type: All
People with acne-prone skin may be wary of sunscreen primers, but this gentle, noncomedogenic formula from "acne whisperer" Sofie Pavitt is a grand slam. This soothing chemical sunscreen works hard to hydrate the skin with a healthy dose of ectoin and vitamin E, calm irritable skin with niacinamide, and control oil production. But perhaps the best part is how well this no-slip sunscreen works with makeup—preventing pilling under foundation, concealer, and any other makeup products while offering a healthy, sheer glow.
Customer review: "I really like it so far. Very hydrating, glowy formula with absolutely no white cast. It does have a mild sunscreen smell. It does surprisingly well under makeup for such a dewy product."
Best for Sensitive Skin: CeraVe Invisible Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Pros: Gentle enough for irritated skin, won't cause makeup to pill, soothes skin with skincare ingredients, budget-friendly
Cons: None we can think of
Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium oxide, vitamin E, niacinamide
Skin type: Sensitive
Another SPF Murdick recommends for wearing under makeup is this drugstore pick from CeraVe. The Invisible Mineral Sunscreen is packed with SPF 50 and blocks sunlight with a physical barrier rather than sinking into the skin like chemical sunscreen. These formulas are often better for sensitive skin, which makes this pick a great option for reactive skin types, but it's also a great way to start the base of your makeup. The artist says this formula marries to the skin beautifully and will not pill, "even when you use the full amount, which, as we know, feels like a lot!"
Customer review: When I saw that CeraVe came out with this product—an invisible mineral SPF 50, made for sensitive skin UNDER $20—I had to try it out. There weren't a ton of reviews out on the product yet because it was so new, so I didn't have any expectations. I was curious to how it was going to be different from their other mineral face SPF—CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen (which I hated due to it claiming it wasn't greasy, but it was basically grease in a tube). To my surprise, it's the complete opposite!!! This is hands down the best face mineral SPF I've ever used. It's absolutely perfect. … It also wears beautifully under makeup, and it doesn't pill when I apply it over my daytime moisturizer. I am so happy that a brand has finally managed to get it right."
Best for Dry Skin: d'Alba Waterfull Essence Sunscreen
Pros: Effectively hydrates dry skin, rich in antioxidants, leaves a glass skin glow
Cons: Some shoppers say that the results can be too glowy, powder is necessary
Key ingredients: White truffle, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, centella asiatica
Skin type: All
Murdick also highlights the d'Alba Waterfull Essence Sunscreen for those with dry skin because of its deeply hydrating formula, naturally glowy finish, and lightweight texture. Each swipe of this SPF is like a tall drink of water for your skin, which preps the complexion wonderfully for makeup. Because it's a chemical sunscreen, you never need to worry about white cast or greasy residue, and you can trust that your skin is getting a loving spa treatment in each swipe—infusing the skin with antioxidants from Italian white truffle and skin-plumping vitamin E with every application.
Customer review: "This sunscreen is lightweight, blends easily, and gives my skin a natural glow without feeling greasy. It brightens my complexion and works great under makeup. No white cast and it feels comfortable all day. Highly recommend!"
Best for Oily Skin: TonyMoly Green Tea Superlight Daily Defense Sunscreen SPF 50
Pros: High SPF protection level, soothes and controls oily skin, absorbent texture
Cons: None we can think of
Key ingredients: Vitamin E, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
Skin type: Combination, oily, sensitive
"I love the TonyMoly Superlight Green Tea Sunscreen for normal through oily skin," says Murdick. This featherweight formula is infused with a bevy of skin-soothing and oil-controlling ingredients, such as green tea extract, niacinamide, and vitamin E, plus hyaluronic acid for a bit of cushiony hydration. The serum-like formula works extremely well under makeup and can actually preserve the shelf life of your look, gripping your face products like primer for longer, more flawless wear.
Customer review: "I'm so impressed with this sunscreen! The price is so good, and it's lightweight, leaves no white cast, and doesn't pill or bunch up on my skin. It's not overly fragranced and doesn't burn my eyes. Such a great product that's truly comparable to my favorite Korean SPFs."
What to Look for in Sunscreen to Wear Under Makeup
Before grabbing any sunscreen, there are a few things worth keeping in mind.
- Formula: Deanne Mraz, MD, board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University, suggests looking for sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection (that shields you from UVA and UVB rays), SPF 30 or more, water resistance, and FDA approval.
- Active ingredients: Marie Jhin, MD, board-certified dermatologist and chief medical officer of Musely, adds that you'll want green-lit ingredients like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, avobenzone, and octinoxate. If you have acne-prone skin, look for oil-free products that won't clog pores.
- Finish: "I want something that absorbs quickly into the skin, isn't overly greasy, and has a demi-matte or natural finish," says Spickard. "I find that anything particularly emollient, greasy, or that sits on top of the skin will cause problems with your makeup."
- Avoid silicones: "I also try to be mindful of anything that has a lot of silicones in it, as these can tend to overload the skin and cause your silicone-based foundation, concealer, or primer to pill up," says Spickard. If possible, look for formulas that don't contain any or very small amounts of silicones.
How to Apply Sunscreen Under Makeup
Sunscreen should be the last step in your skincare routine before putting on makeup. "If you feel like using a moisturizer plus SPF is just too much 'stuff' on your skin, you can experiment with skipping your moisturizer and just using the SPF because they often share a lot of the same base ingredients," says Murdick, who opts for this technique on particularly hot days.
"When you apply your SPF, make sure you are using the correct amount in order to get the full amount of protection," Murdick adds. She states that one-fourth of a teaspoon (or enough to line both your pointer and middle fingers) is perfect for your face. The next, and arguably most important step, is to wait 15 minutes. Go pick out your outfit, do your hair, or make a coffee in the meantime. "In order to be effective, sunscreen takes time!" Murdick exclaims. "The film formers in the product need to bond with your skin undisturbed. After that, you are good to go."
Once the sunscreen has absorbed, you can apply your foundation or concealer. "If you're reapplying throughout the day, consider a powder or spray sunscreen that can be applied on top of makeup," says Jhin. Alternatively, you can opt for skin tints with SPF or other multitasking makeup products that contain sunscreen, adds Mraz.
Can I stop sunscreen from pilling under makeup?
If you've ever experienced pilling, it's most likely because you either didn't layer your products properly or the formulas you're wearing are clashing—for example, mixing silicone and water-based products. To avoid this, Jhin recommends applying lighter layers of product, letting each one absorb before applying the next. She also suggests gently pressing sunscreen into your skin rather than rubbing it on. Additionally, you can try cutting back on the number of layers of skincare you're wearing and exfoliating regularly to promote better absorption.
Is chemical or mineral sunscreen better?
Both types of sunscreens have their perks, but it's ultimately your needs that determine which is better suited to you. If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, you may handle a mineral sunscreen better since it sits on the skin's surface and physically blocks UV rays. Still, some people prefer not to use a mineral sunscreen because many of them leave a white cast.
Meanwhile, a chemical sunscreen absorbs UV rays and converts them into heat, says Jhin. These formulas tend to be more lightweight and may be better to wear under makeup. However, Jhin warns that chemical sunscreen is more likely to cause irritation.
Why Trust Who What Wear
At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.