We all know the importance of wearing sunscreen to protect our skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays. However, finding a sunscreen that doesn’t interfere with our makeup can be a real challenge. Nobody wants to deal with a greasy, shiny complexion or makeup that slides off their face as soon as they step outside.
That’s why we’ve done the research for you and compiled a list of the 10 best sunscreens for face under makeup. Whether you have oily or dry skin, sensitive skin, or acne-prone skin, we’ve got you covered.
When choosing a sunscreen for face under makeup, look for a lightweight, non-greasy formula that offers broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. With our list of the 10 best sunscreens for face under makeup, you can protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays and look flawless all day.
Why Do You Need Sunscreen Under Makeup?
Many people make the mistake of thinking that they don’t need sunscreen if they’re wearing makeup. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Even if you’re wearing a foundation with SPF, it’s not enough to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Here are some reasons why you need to wear sunscreen under your makeup:- Makeup doesn’t provide complete coverage: Even if you’re wearing a full-coverage foundation, it’s unlikely to cover every inch of your face. This means that there are areas of your skin that are still exposed to the sun’s UV rays.
- SPF in makeup is not enough: Most foundations and BB creams have SPF in them, but it’s usually not enough to provide adequate protection. You need to apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to ensure that your skin is protected.
- Sunscreen can improve the look of your makeup: A good sunscreen can act as a primer, creating a smooth canvas for your makeup to adhere to. It can also help to control oil production, which can make your makeup last longer.

What to Look for in a Sunscreen for Face under Makeup
When choosing a sunscreen to wear under your makeup, there are a few things to keep in mind:- Lightweight formula: Look for a sunscreen that has a lightweight formula that won’t feel heavy or greasy on your skin.
- Non-greasy: You don’t want your sunscreen to leave your skin looking shiny or greasy, as this can interfere with the look of your makeup.
- Broad-spectrum protection: Make sure that the sunscreen you choose offers broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
- Non-comedogenic: If you have acne-prone skin, look for a sunscreen that is non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog your pores.
- Fragrance-free: Fragrance can irritate sensitive skin, so look for a sunscreen that is fragrance-free if you have sensitive skin.
10 Best Sunscreens for Face under Makeup
- EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46: This lightweight, oil-free sunscreen is perfect for wearing under makeup. It’s non-greasy, fragrance-free, and provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. It’s also formulated with niacinamide, which helps to soothe and calm irritated skin.
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra-Light Sunscreen Fluid: This lightweight, fast-absorbing sunscreen is perfect for wearing under makeup. It’s non-greasy, fragrance-free, and provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. It’s also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
- Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40: This clear, oil-free sunscreen goes on like a primer and is perfect for wearing under makeup. It’s lightweight, non-greasy, and provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. It also contains red algae, which helps to protect the skin from blue light emitted by electronic devices.
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 100: This fast-absorbing, non-greasy sunscreen is perfect for wearing under makeup. It provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
- Dermalogica Oil-Free Matte SPF 30: This oil-free, matte-finish sunscreen is perfect for oily or acne-prone skin. It provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays and helps to control oil production throughout the day.

- Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen SPF 35: This lightweight, oil-free sunscreen is perfect for wearing under makeup. It provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays and contains Japanese wild rose, which helps to tighten the appearance of pores.
- Coola Mineral Sun Silk Crème SPF 30: This lightweight, mineral-based sunscreen is perfect for wearing under makeup. It provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays and is formulated with organic ingredients like cucumber and algae extract to soothe and hydrate the skin.
- Paula’s Choice Resist Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30: This lightweight, matte-finish sunscreen is perfect for wearing under makeup. It provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays and is formulated with antioxidants and peptides to help fight the signs of aging.
- Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47: This lightweight, moisturizing sunscreen is perfect for wearing under makeup. It provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays and is formulated with argan oil to nourish and hydrate the skin.
- First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Pure Mineral Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 40: This mineral-based sunscreen is perfect for sensitive skin. It provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays and is fragrance-free and non-comedogenic.

No, not all sunscreens are suitable for wearing under makeup. Look for a sunscreen with a lightweight, non-greasy formula that won’t interfere with the look of your makeup.
Yes, most foundations with SPF only offer minimal protection against the sun’s UV rays. You should still apply a separate sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to ensure that your skin is adequately protected.
It’s recommended to reapply sunscreen every two hours, but this can be difficult when wearing makeup. Try using a powder sunscreen to touch up your protection throughout the day.