The 5 Best Sunscreens to Wear Under Makeup, Tested and Loved by Beauty Editors
Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen SPF 50+
· CosmopolitanQuick PSA: You should be wearing sunscreen every single day. And I know that might feel like an annoying ask when you’re headed to the office with a face full of makeup or to brunch with friends and don’t want to ruin your glam with a greasy base. But luckily, there are plenty of face sunscreens out there that work seamlessly under makeup (and are loaded with skincare ingredients), so you no longer need to choose between your favorite foundation and sun protection.
As beauty editors, we spend all day, every day trying new products and putting them through harsh conditions to make sure they’re both efficacious and worth every penny. To narrow down the best sunscreens to wear under makeup, I tested formulas everywhere—from the deserts of Coachella to long runs in Florida humidity—to find reliable formulas that won’t pill or leave a white cast, and still offer top-tier sun protection.
Ahead, the best sunscreens to wear under makeup, according to beauty editors who refuse to sacrifice SPF for their glam routines.
Best Hydrating Sunscreen for Under Makeup
$50SephoraAlso Consider$40Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: This dewy formula from Tatcha will change the way you view sunscreen. It feels more like a hydrating serum or milky essence that soaks into the skin with ease, making it the ideal texture to wear under makeup. It’s got ectoin, aloe, and vitamin E infused into the formula so it soothes, protects, and hydrates the skin as you wear it.
One Cosmo editor says: “Never in my life has a sunscreen blended into my skin as seamlessly as this SPF. I wore it on repeat in Florida while swimming and exercising, and it didn’t leave behind a white finish when mixed with water or sweat. And since it absorbs into the skin so nicely, it works just like a hydrating primer underneath any level of makeup.” —JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
ISDIN Fusion Water Magic SPF 40
$38SephoraAlso Consider$38Amazon$38Bloomingdale's
Why we love it: This sunscreen is loaded with hyaluronic acid, so it absorbs into the skin within minutes and leaves the face with a barely-there finish. And not only does the multitasking SPF protect against harsh UVA and UVB rays, but it also addresses other skin stressors like free radicals, pollution, blue light, and heat damage.
One Cosmo editor says: “Derms love this sunscreen, and it’s easy to see why. Yes, it’s great for sun protection, but it’s also a well-rounded product with hydration, soothing vitamin E, and protection against environmental irritants, which helps your skin combat aging in the long run. And the hydration-forward texture is great for soaking into the skin ahead of any summer makeup look.”—JH
Best Gel-Based Sunscreen for Under MakeupNeutrogena Ultra Sheer Invisible Gel Face Sunscreen SPF 40
Now 30% Off$23 $16Ulta BeautyAlso Consider$16Amazon$17Walmart
Why we love it: This gel-based sunscreen from Neutrogena pretty much doubles as a grippy primer. It smooths quickly over the entire face and goes on completely clear, but actually makes makeup look even more velvety. And if you’ve got oily or acne-prone skin (or both), this drugstore SPF has got you covered thanks to its lightweight formula and non-comedogenic ingredient list.
One Cosmo editor says: "I normally hate the feeling of silicone-based primers, especially sunscreens, because they make my face feel tight and dry (even though I have very oily skin). But this one from Neutrogena finds a way to be both lightly mattifying and hydrating at the same time. I wore it in the desert amid the Coachella heat and dust, and my makeup didn’t pill and my face didn’t burn. Win."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Best Primer Sunscreen for Under MakeupCiele Prime & Protect SPF 30+ Smoothing Primer
Why we love it: This formula was specifically designed to be worn under makeup while providing sun protection (hence why it has the word primer in the name). The mineral formula is hydrating enough to wear in lieu of traditional skin prep, has vitamin E to soothe, and is safe for acne-prone skin. It also comes in three different finishes, so whether you prefer a natural or radiant finish, you’ll love the way this smooths over your complexion.
One Cosmo editor says: “This is my go-to SPF for any time of the year—in the winter, I wear this when I see the sun maybe once a week, and I just wore it all weekend long under my makeup in the desert heat and sun at Coachella. It’s even got enough coverage to work as a lightweight skin tint on the days when I want to go lighter on the makeup. Just some blush, concealer, and the glowy version of this SPF 30 primer is all I need for a skinimalist finish.”—JH
SOFIE PAVITT FACE Screentime Hydrating SPF 30
Why we love it: While most options on this list are non-comedogenic, Sofie Pavitt’s entire line is specifically catered towards acne-prone skin, this sunscreen included. It’s chock-full of skincare heroes like glycerin, niacinamide, ectoin, allantoin, and vitamin E to nourish the skin as it protects (without exacerbating breakouts, of course).
One Cosmo editor says: “I’ve been waiting for a Sofie Pavitt sunscreen ever since the brand launched three years ago, but she took her time perfecting the formula, which was luckily worth the wait. It goes onto the skin like any other smooth skincare step, absorbs quickly without needing to be aggressively rubbed in, and leaves behind zero whitecast. It’s a dream under my favorite skin tints and blushes when I want ample sun protection and skin-loving ingredients without sacrificing my makeup routine.”—JH
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.