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We all know the golden rule of a truly great skin care routine — Always. Wear. 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.
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 recently arrived on the beauty scene — featuring instant bestsellers in the category that are capable of layering exceptionally well under makeup, yes, but also working like primers to lock down your look du jour.
Prior to commencing your sunscreen shopping, you’ll want to consider your skin needs, potential conditions like rosacea or acne, and how much makeup you typically wear. Regardless of your preferences, it’s essential to go for an SPF formula that’s breathable, comfortable, and lightweight, particularly when you’re pairing it with heavier beauty buys.
Shopping List: The Best Sunscreens to Wear Under Makeup 2026
The WWD Shop team has reported on the sunscreen market for years and years on end, 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 liquid and cream foundations, skin tints, bronzers, blushes, and beyond while prioritizing broad-spectrum sun protection.
best overall
EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Face Sunscreen SPF 46
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, reflecting and scattering UVA and UVB rays away from the face — just as its accompanying niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E inclusions 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 can easily absorb into skin sans a white cast and serve as the 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 prior to reaching into my makeup bag. I love that it feels creamy but never greasy, doesn’t cake, pill, or interact poorly with sweat, and won’t break out my already acne-prone complexion. The product is so effective at what it does, in fact, that I often completely skip my liquid foundation and bronzer on days 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
If you prefer a sunscreen that feels like absolutely nothing on your skin, then Fenty’s Hydra Vizor SPF is the one for you. This lightweight lotion leaves no traditional sunscreen trace on your skin — you won’t feel greasy, slimy, or smelly with this one on — instead supplying the feel and light sheen of a great face moisturizer. A light pink tint rubs in smoothly with a touch of glow in its wake; and is comfortable to wear 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 after I apply it, only 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 — it’s 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
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 newest addition to the brand’s lineup does an even better at creating a glowing base for makeup. The Mineral Glow Screen, available in two shades, features a radiant tint that nixes the white cast you see with many physical sunscreens, instead replacing it with a glow-boosting sheen. Simply put, it makes your makeup look better.
Editor testing and review notes: “This sunscreen is like a shortcut for radiant skin — which is typically not the case with mineral SPFs. This one has a way of smoothing out discoloration on my cheeks like a tinted moisturizer, imparting a healthy skin look. It transfers onto white clothing quite easily, so you’ll want to be careful with application, but otherwise I have no negative notes on this top SPF to wear under makeup.” — Sullivan
best drugstore pick
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair UV Face Moisturizer SPF 30
A great face moisturizer with a wallop of SPF is one of the easiest ways to ensure you’re getting accurate sun protection without worrying about makeup that pills or streaks throughout the day. La Roche-Posay’s SPF 30 Face Moisturizer goes on like your favorite daytime face lotion with a creamy texture that disappears on the skin while you smooth it on. It also contains ingredients like skin barrier-strengthening ceramides and niacinamide that hydrates and brightens skin with continued use.
Editor testing and review notes: “This is a great two-in-one product for those who don’t like the feeling of sunscreen on top of a face lotion. Those with oily skin could forgo face serums when using this makeup-friendly sunscreen, too, thanks to its brightening and soothing ingredients. Just wash your face, apply this moisturizer, and continue with your glam routine. After testing this with liquid and cream foundations, I didn’t experience any pilling, excess shine, or sunscreen smell during hours of wear time.” — Sullivan
best luxury pick
Eighth Day The Rejuvenating Moisturizing Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
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 protects the skin with a proprietary type of non-nanoparticle zinc that applies sheer and is suitable for the most sensitive skin types. Dr. Nakhla formulated the sunscreen with a light pigment that counteracts white cast and flashback in photos, also making it a great sunscreen for dark skin types to wear under makeup. And like the brand’s cult-favorite face serum, it’s powered up with peptide-rich plasma for firmer, bouncier, and brighter skin with consistent use.
Editor testing and review notes: “This sunscreen is a great option for those who want to streamline their beauty routine with high-quality, multitasking goods. Rather than plain-old sunscreen ingredients, Eighth Day’s sunscreen features actives you’d find in luxury anti-aging serums for healthier-looking skin in the long run. I love that this was formulated with makeup in mind — rather than pilling when you apply product on top, it grips it in place to extend your glam’s wear time.” — Sullivan
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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 across a diverse range of tones. Our tight edit of five winners includes both mineral and chemical sunscreens, as well as tinted and non-tinted options.
During our four rounds of product testing, we applied each sunscreen on clean skin, waited two minutes, and then followed up with a full face of makeup. Our testers-cum-editors wore the sunscreens under liquid, cream, and powder products: including foundation, concealer, blush, bronzer, and highlighter. The picks featured above stood out for their ability to extend the wear time of makeup and, in some cases, make glam appear even more radiant. 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 clothing brands. 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.
