When you are up against the clock, rushing through your skin-care and makeup routine, it always seems that your products start to pill—with more buildup accumulating in little bulbs the more you blend. Do I remove it all and start over? you ask yourself. Who has time for that? Instead, a more proactive approach is wise: The best sunscreen under makeup could’ve avoided this frustrating dance in the first place.
Christine Hall, a London medical aesthetics general practitioner, offers some clear advice: “A formula that is lightweight, fast absorbing, and has a slightly lower oil content so that makeup doesn’t slip during the day,” she explains, is key. “You also ideally want something with minimal white cast so that the sunscreen doesn’t alter the tone of your foundation.” Choosing the right sunscreen can make or break your entire look; it’s no surprise, then, that sometimes wedding photographers even tell brides not to wear SPF on their big day for this very reason: White cast, flashback, and heavy formulas can make skin appear greasy.
One culprit of unsightly pilling, or any other number of qualms when it comes to layering sunscreen and makeup, often comes down to texture. “Fluid, lightweight formulas tend to disappear into the skin and layer more seamlessly, while thicker or more occlusive textures are more likely to sit on the surface and shift,” board-certified aesthetic injector Hajrie Sulejmani tells Vogue. “That said, a well-formulated product in any category can perform beautifully when it sets correctly.”
Tama Tran, NP-C, adds that pilling can result from formula clashes and from how products are layered on the skin. “Many sunscreens contain silicones and film-forming agents that sit on top of the skin to create an even protective barrier, but these can roll or ball up when disturbed,” Tran tells Vogue. With that in mind, she explains that applying multiple products with incompatible textures (think a rich moisturizer followed by a silicone primer and SPF) can further exacerbate this. “Technique plays a role as well, since rubbing products into the skin instead of gently pressing them in can break apart the sunscreen layer.”
With that in mind, Dr. Hall recommends something that “forms a nice thin, even film so that the foundation glides onto the skin without looking patchy, sliding off, or separating.” Below, shop Vogue’s favorite sunscreens to pair under makeup, sitting seamlessly beneath your base products and leaving a smooth canvas for your artistry to follow.
Best Gel Serum: Coola Refreshing Water Plumping Gel SPF 30
Coola
Refreshing Water Plumping Gel SPF 30
Why We Love It: Tran names Coola’s water gel SPF as an excellent choice under makeup due to its superfast absorption. “This behaves more like skin care than a traditional sunscreen,” she says. “It layers well under both light- and medium-coverage foundations and is particularly well suited for oily to combination skin types.” Board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp has also explained the formulaic benefits in our best-sunscreens guide, noting its “marine-derived Alaria esculenta extract, an ingredient extracted from brown seaweed rich in amino acids, minerals, and antioxidants” for added benefits. With all that in mind, Tran notes it’s important to let this hydrating pick fully dry before applying makeup to avoid a tacky sensation.
Editor’s Experience: I’m not sure who I was before I tried this sunscreen gel. I’d argue I’m its biggest fan—it’s that good! The texture is what really won me over. A true gel cream, this is super lightweight and sinks into the skin really easily. I love it for warm, sunny days or for moments when I’ll be putting on makeup right away. —Kiana Murden, beauty editor, shopping
Chemical or Physical: Chemical (avobenzone 3.0%, homosalate 6.0%, octisalate 5.0%, octocrylene 7.0%)
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, organic aloe, organic coconut water
SPF Level: SPF 30
Texture: Water gel
Tinted: No
White Cast: No
Finish: Natural
Water-Resistant: Yes
Size: 1 fl. oz.
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Leaves a radiant finish
Bottle cap is prone to breakage
Nonsticky, weightless texture
Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen
La Roche-Posay
Anthelios Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen
Why We Love It: One of the industry’s most beloved drugstore mineral sunscreens, La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios combats broad-spectrum UVA and UVB rays through sensitive-skin-friendly titanium dioxide. Antioxidants, silica, vitamin E, and thermal spring water are featured, too, plus iron oxides, which deliver a universal tint suitable for most skin types. Plus, as aesthetician Jade Haifa previously toldVogue, this lightweight sunscreen features a nongreasy texture that absorbs quickly without leaving any residue.
Editor’s Experience: My favorite French sunscreen of all time, the one that really put serum sunscreens on the map. Its thin, fluid, milky texture is a major part of its appeal, delivering lightweight moisture that melds well with other products beneath. —K.M.
Chemical or Physical: Mineral (the tinted uses titanium dioxide 11%, while the other shades use titanium dioxide 17% and zinc oxide 8%)
Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, talc, iron oxides, vitamin E
SPF Level: SPF 50
Texture: Lotion
Tinted: Yes (four shades)
White Cast: No
Finish: Matte
Water-Resistant: Yes
Size: 1.7 oz./50 ml
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Lightweight yet hydrating texture is great for most skin types
Not free from silicones or talc
Tinted options available
Best Milky Serum: Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Summer Fridays
ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Why We Love It: Celebrity aesthetician Kristin Gunn called Summer Fridays’ milky SPF formula one of her favorite mineral sunscreens to wear, thanks to its silky and lightweight texture. “It blends into the skin with no white cast, making it ideal for a wide range of skin tones,” Gunn said. “Plus, since it also contains squalane and antioxidants, it feels more like a skin-care step than just sun protection.” Echoing Gunn’s sentiments, Sulejmani describes it as a “fluid, serum-like texture that integrates easily into the skin.”
Editor’s Experience: Fluid serum texture? Check. Nourishing ingredients? Check. Zinc oxide? Check. No white cast? Check, check. There’s nothing not to love about Summer Fridays’ SPF. It really makes creating a well-formulated mineral sunscreen seem easy, even though it’s actually quite difficult. This stays packed in my travel makeup bag for good reason. —K.M.
Chemical or Physical: Mineral (zinc oxide 9.4%)
Key Ingredients: Squalane, vitamin E, bisabolol
SPF Level: SPF 30
Texture: Serum
Tinted: No
White Cast: No
Finish: Softly radiant
Water-Resistant: No
Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
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Weightless, serum-y texture
Contains shea, which is a pore clogger for acne-prone skin types
No white cast
Best Acne Safe: Sofie Pavitt Face Screentime Noncomedogenic Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 30
Sofie Pavitt Face
Screentime Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 30
Why We Love It: The acne whisperer Sofie Pavitt recently launched her own SPF. Think of it as a clean slate, free of potential pore-clogging ingredients. Per Sulejmani, this SPF goes beyond protection, leaning into skin-care-formulation territory. It delivers hydration without sacrificing a lightweight feel, thanks to vitamin E, glycerin, and ectoin, which also help protect against environmental stressors. Then, niacinamide helps brighten your complexion over time, which is a bonus for those prone to acne and hyperpigmentation.
Editor’s Experience: It’s no secret that I’m a big believer in Sofie Pavitt’s philosophy, her products included, and it’s because I don’t have to fear any of them breaking out my breakout-prone skin. SPFs in particular are not an area where I venture into experimentation territory, since comedogenic ingredients mixed with summer sweat often cause unwanted acne. However, this SPF is so silky smooth, like a lightweight lotion. Plus, it’s hydrating enough that I skip my morning moisturizer when I use it. Zero pilling, zero pore-clogging ingredients, zero things I don’t love about it. —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
Chemical or Physical: Chemical (homosalate, octisalate, avobenzone)
Key Ingredients: Ectoin, niacinamide, vitamin E, glycerin
SPF Level: SPF 30
Texture: Lotion
Tinted: No
White Cast: No
Finish: Dewy
Water-Resistant: No
Size: 1.69 fl. oz.
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Completely acne-safe formula, with no pore-clogging ingredients
Might be a bit too dewy for those with super-oily skin
Hydrating formula
Best for Dry Skin: Clé de Peau Beauté UV Protective Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 50+
Clé de Peau Beauté
UV Protective Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 50+
Why We Love It: Per Tran, Clé de Peau Beauté SPF offers a more luxurious approach (in texture and price point), with a nourishing formula that suits dry and mature skin types. Moroccan thyme extract provides natural antioxidant defense, while a host of botanical extracts support hydration. “While it can double as a moisturizer and primer, its richer consistency means it has a higher risk of pilling if layered over heavy skin care or combined with silicone-heavy primers,” she says. “For best results, it should be applied over minimal skin care, followed by lighter complexion products, and makeup should be pressed into the skin rather than rubbed.”
Editor’s Experience: Behold—one of the sunscreens that got me through winter. As a true combination-skin girl, I still get bouts of winter dryness, and during those times, this worked wonders. It has a true face-cream feel despite its hybrid chemical and mineral UV filters. The wear is quite comfortable, which makes you forget you’re wearing anything at all. —K.M.
Chemical or Physical: Hybrid (zinc oxide, octinoxate, octocrylene)
Why We Love It: Both hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested, Kosas’s mineral sunscreen is a safe choice for sensitive skin types. Whether you choose the original (a subtle, pinkish hue) or the sunlit (a golden hue), the aim is to counteract the grayish-white cast that many mineral formulas leave behind. “While protecting your skin from sun damage, the smart formula also blends skin-care ingredients like ceramides, peptides, galactoarabinan, bioflavonoids, allantoin, and glycoproteins,” Valerie Aparovich (a certified cosmetologist, aesthetician, and biochemist) said of Kosas’s pick in our nontoxic-sunscreens guide.
Chemical or Physical: Physical (non-nano zinc oxide 21.7%)
Requires a dry-down time of three to five minutes to avoid pilling
Water-resistant
No white cast
Best for Mature Skin: Dr. Few Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Dr. Few
Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Why We Love It: Made with jojoba oil, sodium hyaluronate, and avocado oil, Dr. Few’s mineral sunscreen is intensely moisturizing yet sits lightly on the skin. No wonder board-certified dermatologist Kristina Collins, MD, FAAD, previously cosigned this pick as a great tinted SPF for mature skin. “With SPF 30 and a blend of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, this formula offers high-level protection and a smooth, semimatte finish,” Dr. Collins said. “It also includes antioxidants like vitamin C and E, making it ideal for mature skin or those concerned with sun-induced aging.”
Editor’s Experience: At 45, I find this an integral part of my morning routine—right after vitamin C (and coffee). I have a fair skin tone (fairer in the winter, naturally), so I also appreciate that it warms up my complexion with a subtle, golden glow that lasts for hours. That said, this is an SPF I actually enjoy applying every couple of hours, particularly when I need the moisture boost. —Jenny Berg, contributor
Best Multipurpose: YSE Beauty Skin Glow Illuminating 3-in-1 SPF 30 Primer
YSE Beauty
Skin Glow Illuminating 3-in-1 SPF 30 Primer
Why We Love It: Part primer, part SPF, YSE’s formula is designed to layer well under makeup. Plus, Haifa previously shared another benefit: the formula’s slight blurring effect, which she said “helps naturally camouflage hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone for a smoother appearance.” Aside from imparting a radiant, smooth finish, the formula helps brighten skin with niacinamide. Sodium hyaluronate hydrates, while spirulina extract provides additional barrier support and boosts elasticity.
Chemical or Physical: Chemical (avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene)
Glass packaging is heavy, which may not be suitable for travel
Hydrating formula packed with light-scattering microspheres for skin blurring
Best K-beauty: CosRx Ultra Light Invisible Sunscreen
CosRx
Ultra Light Invisible Sunscreen
Why We Love It: Designed to deliver the feel of a hydrating face serum with the protection of a heavy-duty sunscreen, this formula is as sheer, weightless, and fast-absorbing as it gets. And Dr. Chang is a fan, noting that the soothing formula “is also formulated with aloe and niacinamide to calm the skin.” Better yet, the brand submitted the formula for irritation testing, proving that it will not exacerbate sensitive skin or eyes.
Editor’s Experience: I have to give a round of applause to my all-time favorite Korean sunscreen, especially for summer. Years ago, on a mission to find an SPF that wouldn’t cause breakouts, I wandered into Senti Senti in Williamsburg to carefully examine ingredients and test different formulas. This CosRx option was an instant hit. Not only is this completely noncomedogenic, but its incredibly lightweight, serum-like texture feels like nothing on the skin. The only catch: Make sure your previous skin-care products are fully absorbed before applying to avoid any pilling. Otherwise, it layers seamlessly under makeup. —C.C.
Chemical or Physical: Chemical (drometrizole trisiloxane, ethylhexyl triazone, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid, ethylhexylglycerin)
Has a natural finish that’s neither matte nor shiny
Prone to pilling if you apply products too quickly afterward
Won’t sting your eyes
Those with niacinamide allergies should best avoid
Completely noncomedogenic
Everything You Need to Know
What causes sunscreen to pill when layered with skin care or foundation?
According to Dr. Hall, pilling occurs when “you are using formulas that aren’t really compatible with each other.” But there are other reasons too. “Another really important thing is putting too much product on,” she says. “Your skin can only absorb so much product, so putting more on won’t do anything. The other thing is not allowing the product to absorb. Try and leave a couple of minutes between each layer so that you’re maximizing each ingredient, preventing pilling, and not rubbing skin too much.”
How do mineral and chemical filters affect how foundation sits on the skin?
There are two main types of filters used by SPF brands: chemical and mineral. Below, Dr. Hall breaks down the merits and pitfalls of each.
Mineral filters: “Mineral filters (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) actually sit on the skin’s surface—they’re tiny particles, and you can’t see them,” says Dr. Hall, adding they create mattified or blurred finishes but can sometimes leave a white cast. “The idea is that they reflect the light off the skin.” Dr. Hall notes that mineral filters can be drying, and if you already have dry skin, this can highlight skin texture under foundation.
Chemical filters: “Chemical filters are dissolved within the formula, rather than being particles on the skin’s surface,” says Dr. Hall. “They create a much thinner, more transparent film on the skin. They’ll feel quite light and more glowy, and these can be formulated without creating a cast on the skin.”
Hybrid filters: Dr. Hall notes that many modern sunscreens strike a balance between the best of both worlds. “They have some chemical and some minerals, so you’re getting the benefits of each, plus some blue-light protection, but with the nicer finish that you get with a chemical filter,” she says.
Can SPF double as a primer?
SPF is a daily requirement no matter the season, but if you’re reluctant to add another step to your routine, you may be pleased to hear that sometimes sun protection can work double duty. “SPF can double up as a primer,” confirms Dr. Hall. In addition, she believes it can be used as a moisturizer in certain cases. “For those without particularly dry skin, SPF can also double up as a moisturizer—but it must be an SPF that can be used as a moisturizer, rather than the reverse. What I mean by that is a lot of moisturizers say they contain SPF 30, but the amount you would need to use to get SPF 30 is huge.”
The expert reveals that SPF formulas are highly advanced, and many can serve as hybrid solutions, especially when “they can contain hydrating humectants, which keep the skin smooth and plump and create a hydrated base.” Look out for silicones in their capacity as an SPF primer, “which we would find anywhere in makeup bases to help blur pores and fine lines.” Additionally, she adds, “some of them contain film-forming polymers that smooth the skin surface, and some contain oil-control powders that help prevent oiliness throughout the day. You can also get ones in Korea called tone-up foundations. The idea is they brighten the skin to give you a more radiant finish.”
How long should sunscreen set before applying makeup?
Per Tran, allowing time between skin care and makeup layers is one of the most effective ways to prevent pilling. “After applying sunscreen, it is important to give it enough time to fully set, form an even film, and lose any initial tackiness before applying makeup,” she says. For lighter formulas, she recommends waiting at least 60 to 90 seconds. Meanwhile, richer textures may require closer to two to three minutes.
Disregard the waiting game, and makeup application can disrupt the sunscreen layer, causing separation. “A good indicator that the skin is ready is when the sunscreen no longer feels sticky to the touch,” she adds.
Does applying foundation reduce SPF protection?
“A foundation shouldn’t reduce SPF protection, particularly as there are some foundations that actually contain SPF,” stresses Dr. Hall. For best application, “allow the SPF to set, and then it’s better to apply the makeup by pressing, dabbing, or gently using a brush rather than rubbing,” she shares.
She concludes by saying that we shouldn’t be relying solely on the SPF included in foundation: “The amount that you need would be significantly more than you use. You’d be using a spoonful of foundation when you would never do that.”
How we tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts, from board-certified doctors to nurse practitioners and aesthetics experts, to gain professional insight into the industry’s standout products—ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate thoughtful edits.
As it relates to sunscreens for under makeup, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, finish, SPF level, SPF type, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the experts
Christine Hall, MRCGP, MBChB, MRPharmS, PGDipGPP, MPharm, is a Korean skin-care doctor, glass-skin specialist, pharmacist, and aesthetic doctor.
Hajrie Sulejmani, CEN, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, DNPs, is a board-certified aesthetic injector. She is the founder of The Aesthetics Loft in Connecticut.
Tama Tran, MSN, NP-C, is a nurse practitioner and aesthetics expert practicing in Dallas and the founder of Lily Med Spa.
