Between greasy film, runny foundation and bonus pimples, sunscreen often remains the weak link in make-up routines. However, daily facial SPF remains essential, summer and winter. Good news: a new generation of formulas slips under makeup without sabotaging it, while playing skin care.
In this guide, focus on sunscreen under makeup: light textures, zero white marks and real skincare benefits. As a result, five formulas really stand out.
Why choose a sunscreen that also serves as a makeup base
For a cream to make a good base, it must protect against UVA and UVB without suffocating the skin or causing makeup to migrate. The serum or gel textures, almost imperceptible, behave like a primer. The Water Bank UV Barrier Sunscreen from LANEIGE illustrates this new wave well, with a hydration boost of 425% and an announced drop of 4.5°C in skin temperature, for an SPF 50+.
For reactive skin, it is better to aim for almost aqueous textures, called “waterlike”: sensation of bare skin, no heaviness, but complete protection from UVA, UVB and blue light. In short, the right sunscreen under makeup is the one you forget about once your complexion is set.
The 5 favorite sunscreens of beauty editors
In our top 5, Rice Probiotics SPF 50+ from Beauty of Joseon, with rice extracts and probiotics, nourishes the skin and makes it clearer, with a moisturizing cream texture that disappears under foundation. The Milky Sunscreen SPF50+ from Tatcha offers high protection, while correcting fine lines, redness and spots with a texture that melts without a greasy finish. LANEIGE’s Water Bank UV Barrier Sunscreen, as light as a serum, relies on blue hyaluronic acid to maintain hydration and a fresh face.
For those who like a portable format, Lancaster’s Sun Beauty pocket cream fits in the palm of the hand. Its pebbled case houses Full Light technology, which targets 100% of the solar spectrum, from UVA to infrared, with a non-greasy texture, a matte finish and a tan activating complex for a controlled glow. Avène’s Ultra Fluid Invisible completes this top 5 for sensitive skin, with an ultra-light fluid designed for daily use under makeup.
Application and touch-ups: the right gestures with your SPF
There remains the question of reapplication, especially when the makeup is already applied. “The ideal would be to remove your makeup and start all over again“, indicates Stéphanie Soulé, quoted by Vogue. When this is not possible, she advises using sticks or mists which do not displace the complexion, or a sponge: “To do this, take some sunscreen with the sponge and then apply it by tapping gently onto the skin.“. Formats like the Invisible Sun Stick SPF 50 L53 from Typology or the Preen Screen SPF50 mist from Ultra Violette have been designed for these express touch-ups on makeup.