I totally get it, you just hate your sunscreen. It’s too thick, it is breaking you out, it is turning you into a grease ball and the most annoying of all, it creates patchy spaces in your makeup and you are becoming a shiny mess.
Well, I have some good news for you! I know the best sunscreen for under makeup and they are just freaking awesome. These sunscreens are lightweight, not chalky at all and they totally look invisible under your foundation. It can even make your foundation look incredibly natural and smooth.
Want to know what these sunscreens are? Then please keep on reading below!
Best Sunscreen for Under Makeup
EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Link product: https://www.amazon.com/EltaMD-UV-Clear-Broad-Spectrum-SPF-46/dp/B002MSN3QQ
So what made this facial sunscreen from EltaMD on top of my list? Well, it just remarkably ticks all that we need for a sunscreen. This physical sunscreen is lightweight and offers broad spectrum protection. Its primary active ingredient is also zinc oxide.
This sunscreen is fragrance, paraben and oil-free too. EltaMD also used transparent zinc oxide. This only means that we can be sure that this product can deliver all the needed protection at the same time maintains a matte finish which is ideal to be used as your base to other cosmetics.
But all the good things don’t end here, this sunscreen has hyaluronic acid content that works well in moisturizing the skin making it one of the best sunscreens for anyone with dry skin. Also, this product has remarkable light texture which will smoothly blend into your skin and it does not leave any white cast at all, as long as you are applying it properly.
There’s no wonder as to why this sunscreen from EltaMD is very popular and one of the best-selling skincare in the market. It is also generally recommended by most dermatologists. I think the only downside of this product is the shape of its bottle’s pump nozzle which can affect the way it dispenses. But this is just a small inconvenience when you consider the product’s quality.
Pros:
- It has much higher SPF
- It comes in a light texture
- It does not leave any white cast at all
Cons:
- There’s only low level of active ingredient
Anthelios 50 Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 by La Roche-Posay
Link product: https://www.amazon.com/La-Roche-Posay-Anthelios-50/dp/B007U54P36
Here’s another remarkable physical sunscreen which offers broad-spectrum protection with the use of titanium dioxide. What’s great about this product is that it has been cosmetically designed. But don’t get me wrong, its function of being a sunscreen hasn’t been compromised! In fact, it even offers a wide range of benefits that make this ideal product to be used with makeup.
Anyway, this mineral sunscreen comes in a fragrance and paraben free formulation and it has been tested to work well to those with sensitive skin. I was very impressed with this product’s smooth, silky texture that can be easily applied and is absorbed well by the skin. You will not see any marks of application, it does not leave a sticky texture or give your skin greasy shine.
But what’s even great is its light tint which will allow you to blend the product more effectively, especially if you have tan or darker skin tones; this only means this sunscreen is less noticeable under your make up. This comes in a liquid formula with a bottle container; but don’t be intimidated with it, as long as you apply it properly and your skin has completely absorbed it, this will not upset the color or texture of other cosmetics, it will just blend seamlessly. Overall, it is suitable for everyday use.
However, this sunscreen belongs to the more expensive side. But I guess its fantastic features and the good customer feedback will be enough to justify its price. Another drawback that I need to mention is its use of titanium oxide rather than zinc oxide. Zinc oxide definitely is a lot more efficient in protecting you against UVA spectrum. This is the reason why this sunscreen did not make it on top of my list.
Pros:
- It is lightly tinted to match your skin tone
- It has high SPF value
- It comes with amazing finish and texture
Cons:
- It does not have zinc oxide content
“5 in 1” Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen by Suntegrity
Link product: https://www.amazon.com/Suntegrity-5-in-1-Natural-Moisturizing-Face-Sunscreen/dp/B0083RP6P6
So here’s a sunscreen that I’m always happy to recommend since is totally the most environmentally-friendly and natural product that I know. This product is appropriate for all vegans out there! If you will read its list of ingredient you feel like you are reading your shopping list to a health food store; ingredients include aloe vera, jojoba seed oil, green tea extract, coconut oil extract and sunflower seed oil that are all been organically sourced. This product is also cruelty-free and it has been certified by Leaping Bunny and PETA.
And of course, the features of this product is just amazing. This physical sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection and the active ingredient is used is 20% zinc oxide. We are really guaranteed that this product can provide the most protection against the harmful, age-inducing, damaging UVA. And since it uses nothing but natural ingredients, it is ideal for those who have sensitive skin type and is one of the best sunscreens recommended for those with skin problems like rosacea, dermatitis, and eczema. It won’t make your skin itch, burn or even tingle and it gives you a feather light feel.
Suntegrity says that this is a “5 in 1” product. The manufacturer claims that it will treat, hydrate, protect, serve as a primer and cover your skin. This product is fully loaded with antioxidants which can calm and soothe your skin. It also works well as your moisturizer, in fact, it is one of the best sunscreens for those with dry skin. However, even if it also primes and covers well, I think this would not be enough to substitute your regular foundation. But it really an amazing sunscreen that can be your base and it works great with other cosmetics.
You can also choose among the four tints of this sunscreen: medium, golden light, light and fair. This will help you tailor your purchase to your skin tone and prevent buying aproduct that will not fit to your routine instantly. Suntegrity even offers a guide based on celebrity’s skin tone to help you make sure you absolutely know what you’re buying. For instance, the fair tint will suit fair skin like Anne Hathaway and Emma Stone, while light tint will suit those with skin tones same with Angelina Jolie. Golden light tint, on the other hand, suits best those with similar skin tones to Cameron Diaz while Medium tint will look good on skin tones comparable to Kim Kardashian.
Overall, this is really a good product. However, this is the most expensive sunscreen on this list. This is mainly because of all those natural ingredients used for this product. If you think this feature would be important for you, then this will be the finest sunscreen you can wear under your make up. But if not, then it’s totally understandable if you find the price to be a little too expensive.
Pros:
- You can among its four tint choices
- It is perfect to be used with cosmetics
- The active ingredient used for this product is highly concentrated
Cons:
- This is an expensive sunscreen
Mineral Crème Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen by MDSolarSciences
Link product: https://www.amazon.com/MDSolarSciences-Mineral-Crème-Broad-Spectrum-SPF-50-Sunscreen/dp/B00B4LKGIK
This physical sunscreen which could give you broad spectrum protection especially that it uses the combination of titanium oxide (1.5%) and zinc oxide (17%). It also features the sought-after, maximum SPF value at 50. I can really say that this product will not disappoint you when it comes to protecting you against the harmful UV spectrum.
Well, this product comes with silky texture which smoothly goes on and can be absorbed by skin quickly. This means this sunscreen is great to be worn under your makeup. It is also paraben, fragrance, and oil free. It is also non-comedogenic so it will less likely cause you breakout. It is also hypoallergenic! We can really be sure that this product is gentle enough for daily use as a part to your skincare and beauty routine, especially if you are someone who is suffering from allergies or have skin that is prone to acne.
This is non-tinted sunscreen, so if your skin tone is on the lighter side then this will work well with you. But if you’ve got tanned skin or darker complexion, this sunscreen is also available in a tinted version. But take note tinted version of this product only has SPF 30.
Pros:
- The active ingredients used are highly concentrated
- It comes with silky texture
- You can choose between non-tinted and tinted options
Cons:
- It is a little bit expensive
Cotz Face Natural Skin Tone SPF 40
Link product: https://www.amazon.com/CōTZ-Face-Natural-Skin-Tone-Sunscreen-SPF-40/dp/B0073P01RC
This physical sunscreen by Cotz Face has an innovative way of providing broad spectrum protection, the manufacturer has taken advantage of both zinc oxide and titanium oxide. Among the five products I mentioned in this list, this sunscreen has been more cosmetically designed, so it is very ideal to be used under your makeup.
What makes this sunscreen different is that it is lightly-tinted, which is even more remarkable since it becomes less noticeable when you are using it under your make up. This product has a silky texture that can be quickly absorbed by the skin. I really like how it smoothly goes on after application. And when you properly apply the product in your face, you will immediately see its beautiful matte finish; so this sunscreen can also serve as your daily makeup primer.
However, I found two minor problems with this product. Firstly, I wish they could have used a higher concentration of zinc oxide to make the product more efficient to fight against UVA radiation which can cause early signs of aging to appear. Next, this product also uses micronized active ingredients, this means it contains small particles. Though this has not yet been proven, there are studies that show these products can be harmful to the environment and this something that I think you have to consider before buying.
Pros:
- It has been lightly tinted so it will match your skin tone
- It has a light texture that is quick-absorbing
- Comes with a matte finish that can make your make up even more gorgeous
Cons:
- The active ingredient used is of low levels
What is The Right Way to Wear Sunscreen under Your Makeup?
- You have to apply the sunscreen evenly to your whole face and make sure you don’t miss any spot. This will be the most essential product you will be using on your face, so it is important that you don’t skimp.
- Pat the sunscreen gently until it will be totally absorbed by your skin. I suggest you don’t rub as this will only cause irritation. Patting also makes sure that your sunscreen is evenly applied over your face.
- Switch your powder foundation into a cream or liquid foundation as this will blend most naturally with the sunscreen’s texture. This is also the best way to avoid getting those annoying cakey look.
Final Thought
I know there’s this never-ending battle with put up to ourselves every morning when it comes to applying sunscreen under our makeup. We all know that we are supposed to put it on, but if you already had a lot of experience with those sticky, greasy and smelly sunscreen, you might think otherwise and totally give up. Fortunately, there is no longer need to waste our time with this ugly sunscreen. The products I mentioned above can keep you protected but will never ruin your makeup.
Always remember the rule of thum when it comes to sunscreen. Never leave home without it. You will even reap even more rewards for persistently applying your sunscreen every single day. How about you? Do you leave home without sunscreen? What sunscreen do you use under your makeup? Did it work for you? Let me know in the comment section below.