The 5 Best Sunscreens to Wear Under Makeup, Tested & Reviewed by Editors
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We all know the golden rule of a truly great skin care routine — Never. Forget. The. Sunscreen . As any dermatologist will tell you, the ideal sunscreen is one you'll stay loyal to across years of devoted wear. For those of us who wear makeup daily, this means finding an SPF that won't pill under the glam or cause it to melt by the time the sun goes down.
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Unfortunately, sunscreens and makeup don't always play nice. Some mineral sunscreens leave behind a white cast that can throw off the undertones of your best foundation while others err on the side of greasiness, preventing products from staying put around the clock.
To solve this pesky dilemma, a new crop of face sunscreens from brands both established and emerging has arrived on the scene — capable of layering exceptionally well under makeup, yes, but also working like primers to lock down your look du jour.
Before commencing your sunscreen shopping, you'll want to take into account any potential skin conditions like rosacea or acne , as well as how much makeup you typically wear. Regardless of these factors, it's essential to go for an SPF formula that's breathable, comfortable, and lightweight, particularly if you're planning on pairing it with heavier, thicker beauty buys.
The WWD Shop team has reported on the sunscreen market for years, testing hundreds of SPFs on our diverse skin presentations, from the dry to the sensitive-slash-oily. That being said, the below sunscreens to wear under makeup are editor-vetted holy grails for full beats and minimalist glam alike — working beautifully beneath foundations, skin tints, bronzers, blushes, and beyond while prioritizing broad-spectrum sun protection.
BEST OVERALL
EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Face Sunscreen SPF 46
$47
$47
EltaMD's UV Clear Tinted innovation distinguishes itself from competitors by way of a sheer tint (for "light, medium light, medium, or medium deep skin tones," says the brand) that addresses discoloration and blemishes before you so much as think
about picking up your makeup brushes
. On a technical level, micronized zinc oxide takes center stage here, scattering UVA and UVB rays away from the face — just as the accompanying niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E reduce visible signs of aging, return moisture back to the skin barrier, and neutralize the effects of free radicals.
All this in an under-$50, 1.7-ounce package? That's the EltaMD way, and we're not surprised it's the #1 dermatologist-recommended professional sunscreen brand
on the market right now. If you're seeking a calming, hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic, and light-as-a-feather mineral sunscreen that does away with the white cast and serves as an optimal base for makeup, UV Clear Tinted is the answer.
Editor testing and review notes:"All year round but especially during the warmer, sunnier months, you can catch me putting on EltaMD's UV Clear Tinted Face Sunscreen before reaching into my makeup bag
. I love that it feels creamy but never greasy, doesn't cake, pill, or interact poorly with sweat, and manages not to break out my already acne-prone complexion. The product is so effective at what it does, in fact, that I often skip my liquid foundation and bronzer when I have it on — letting my face breathe while acing the clean-girl aesthetic." — Senior Commerce Writer Stacia Datskovska
BEST FOR HYDRATION
Fenty Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30
$45
If you prefer sunscreens that feel like nothing
on your skin, Fenty's Hydra Vizor SPF is the one for you. This lightweight lotion leaves no traditional sunscreen trace in its wake, instead supplying the sensation and sheen of a high-end face moisturizer
. Its light-pink tint rubs in smoothly with a touch of glow, positioning the Fenty fave as something that can be worn under a light complexion product or full-coverage foundation.
Editor testing and review notes:"I packed this sunscreen for a beach vacation a few months back, and I've had a hard time parting with it since. The lotion melts in immediately, leaving behind a dewy finish and soft-to-the-touch skin. Go with the unscented version if you have a sensitive nose (even on the hottest days at the beach, I never noticed a fragrance or felt like it was preventing my skin from breathing). The Hydra Vizor is a surprisingly gorgeous formulation to wear on its own or under makeup." — Former Commerce Beauty Editor Claire Sullivan
BEST SUNSCREEN DROPS
Supergoop! Glowscreen Soft-Radiance Drops Mineral SPF 40
$40
Supergoop!'s Unseen Sunscreen was one of the first SPFs to go viral for its ability to act like a primer… but we think this 2025 addition to the brand's lineup does an even better
job at creating a glowing base for makeup. The Glowscreen, available in several shades, features a radiant tint that nixes the white cast of many physical sunscreens, replacing it with a glow-boosting sheen. Simply put, it makes your makeup look better, and what more could a woman want?
Editor testing and review notes:"This sunscreen is like a shortcut for radiant skin — which is typically not
the case with mineral SPFs. It has a way of smoothing out discoloration on my cheeks like a tinted moisturizer
, imparting a healthy-skin look. The Glowscreen product transfers onto white clothing quite easily, so you'll want to be careful with application; otherwise, I have no negative remarks about this top SPF to wear under makeup." — Sullivan
BEST DRUGSTORE PICK
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair UV Face Moisturizer SPF 30
$23.99
Using a face moisturizer with a wallop of SPF is one of the easiest ways to ensure you're getting reliable sun protection — without having to worry about makeup that pills or streaks throughout the day. La Roche-Posay's Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer mimics your go-to daytime lotion and is blessed by a creamy texture that disappears into pores while you're smoothing it on. For bonus points, the sunscreen-moisturizer hybrid contains ingredients like skin barrier–strengthening ceramides and skin-brightening niacinamide.
Editor testing and review notes:"This is the perfect two-in-one purchase for those who don't like layering sunscreens on top of face lotions. Oily skin? You can forgo serums when using the makeup-friendly sunscreen, too, thanks to its brightening and soothing ingredient list. Just wash your face, put on this moisturizer, and continue with your glam routine. When testing the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair UV Face Moisturizer with liquid and cream foundations, I didn't experience any pilling, excess shine, or weird smells." — Sullivan
BEST LUXURY PICK
Eighth Day The Rejuvenating Moisturizing Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
$140
Developed by Dr. Antony Nakhla, a dermatologist and reconstructive skin cancer surgeon, Eighth Day offers one of the most luxurious — and effective — sunscreens to wear under makeup.
His formula is centered on a proprietary type of non-nanoparticle zinc that's transparent and suitable for even the most sensitive skin types. Dr. Nakhla also infused the sunscreen with a light pigment to counteract white cast and flashback in photos, making it a solid choice for darker skin, too. And like the brand's top-rated serum, The Rejuvenating Moisturizing Primer is powered up with peptide-rich plasma for a firmer, bouncier, and brighter face.
Editor testing and review notes:"This sunscreen is a dependable option for those who want to streamline their beauty routine with high-quality, multitasking products. Leveling up from old-school ingredients, Eighth Day's The Rejuvenating Moisturizing Primer boasts actives you're more likely to encounter in luxury anti-aging serums
. I also appreciate the fact that it was formulated with makeup in mind, gripping your glam in place to extend its wear time." — Sullivan
How We Selected the Best Sunscreens to Wear Under Makeup
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as "the fashion bible" — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women's and men's fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD's breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD's editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections.
We compiled this list of the best sunscreens to wear under makeup after testing close to 70 formulas for dry, oily, combination, and acne-prone skin in a diverse range of tones. Our tight edit of five winners includes both mineral and chemical sunscreens, as well as tinted and untinted ones.
During four whole rounds of testing, we applied each sunscreen on clean skin, waited two minutes, and then followed up with a full face of makeup. Our testers-slash-editors wore the sunscreens under liquid, cream, and powder products (including foundation, concealer, blush, bronzer, and highlighter). The picks above stood out for their ability to extend the wear time of makeup and, in some cases, make glam appear even more dazzling. Learn more about us here .
Meet the Authors
Claire Sullivan was a Commerce Beauty Editor at WWD, where she wrote and edited beauty, fashion, and lifestyle stories. Sullivan has over six years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets, including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She keeps her finger on the pulse of all things beauty and wellness, as well as the latest shopping trends and brands to watch. Sullivan wrote the original version of this article and updated it with additional product picks after further rounds of testing.
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, wrote about tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor's degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on derm-approved, clinically tested sunscreens for specific skin needs and how to shop them online.
