Searching for the perfect sunscreen to wear under makeup? If thick, sticky formulas have you forgoing your daily dose of necessary SPF, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of affordable sunscreens with super-light textures that layer without pilling while providing broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.
Below I have put together the ULTIMATE list of the best drugstore sunscreens to wear under makeup that tick all the right boxes in terms of texture and finish (without worry of a white cast!) With an elegantly lightweight feel and silky sheer finish, these sunscreens won’t make your makeup settle into pores or fine lines and provide it a smooth base along with staying power.
Whether you prefer dewy, satin or matte finish, this list of the best drugstore sunscreens under makeup has options for every skin tone and type. Not to mention, most of these sunscreens also provide additional anti-aging skincare benefits. Just remember, the key to making your sunscreen play nice with makeup is to wait for your SPF to absorb completely before putting on foundation.
The Best Drugstore Sunscreens To Wear Under Makeup
1.Pacifica Sea & C Sheer Face Serum SPF 55 ($17)
This is a lightweight, moisturizing serum that combines skincare + suncare and helps brighten as well as protect your skin from the sun. It glides onto skin smoothly with a glowy finish and doesn’t leave any white cast at all. It feels hydrating without being heavy or tacky and layers beautifully under makeup!
The concentrated formula is enriched with stabilized vitamin C, marine plant extracts, ashwagandha root extract and aloe vera for a healthy complexion. And it smells like light citrus!
2. Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 ($9)
This super affordable sunscreen is said to be a great dupe for the popular Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 and the hype is real! It has an oil-free translucent gel formula that absorbs into skin right away with a slippery silicone-y texture. It dries down to a silky, blurring matte finish — almost like a primer. There’s no greasy/sticky residue or white cast in sight (even on darker skin tones)
It layers perfectly under makeup, no pilling or flashback! Plus, it’s also sweat and water-resistant. Formula-wise, it’s fragrance-free and offers oxybenzone-free SPF 40 protection. Great for all skin types, it’s a fraction of the cost compared to Supergoop’s $36 price tag for the same size, and not to mention you can pick it up while grabbing groceries at Trader Joe’s.
3. Solara Suncare Go! Daily Defense Soothing Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 ($22)
With an elegant lightweight lotion texture that glides on smoothly and quickly melts in, this sunscreen gives you a shine-free base for makeup with a satin matte finish.
There’s no greasiness at all and the super light texture doesn’t feel thick or tacky (great for combination to oily and acne-prone skin!) The fragrance-free formula contains 19% non-nano Zinc Oxide but leaves absolutely no white cast. It’s also infused with soothing aloe, green tea and skin barrier supportive Lactobacillus ferment. And it’s oil-free, silicone-free and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores)
Solara also has another great option called Vacation Glow Illuminating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 which has a glowy, pearlescent finish (photos here) and is actually a great dupe for the Supergoop! Glowscreen Sunscreen ($36) Perfect for dry skin types, this one is great under makeup too!
4. Hero Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 ($20)
Made specifically for combination/oily and acne-prone skin, this super lightweight mineral sunscreen (with 17.53% Zinc Oxide) has a soft gel cream texture that absorbs very quickly with a smooth matte finish. With a barely-there feel on skin, it layers weightlessly under makeup without being sticky or greasy and won’t clog pores.
The formula has a sheer green tint (photos here) that blends into skin completely and helps mask a little bit of redness. On my light-to-medium skin tone, it dries clear. However, those with deeper skin tones might see a slight white cast with this sunscreen (it won’t be noticeable though when you wear foundation over it) Fragrance-free and silicone-free, it also contains antioxidant-rich plant extracts to protect skin against environmental stressors.
5. Undefined R&R Sun Serum SPF 50 ($28)
This is a tinted mineral sunscreen (12% zinc oxide) with a hydrating, fragrance-free formula that’s also water-resistant for up to 40 min. It has a lightweight fluid serum-like texture (similar to ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint) that applies smoothly with a moisturizing feel and wears perfectly alone or under makeup.
It has a warm-toned sheer tint that blends in easily and works best for light-medium skin tones. With its dewy finish, the formula is suitable for normal to dry and combination skin. Also, it’s infused with Niacinamide, Tremella mushroom, Raspberry seed and vitamin E for antioxidant benefits.
6. Bliss Block Star Invisible Daily Sunscreen SPF 30 ($21.99)
True to its name, this sheer mineral sunscreen (11.5% zinc oxide and 4.1% titanium dioxide) has an invisible finish with zero white cast or chalkiness.
Silky-smooth and lightweight, the silicone based formula has a velvety mousse like texture with a subtle tint that blends in easily and helps blur pores and imperfections (there’s no coverage though) Once blended out, it has a semi-matte finish that plays perfectly with makeup sans pilling!
Suitable for all skin types, this sunscreen is also boosted with an antioxidant blend to provide an extra layer of protection from environmental stressors. It does have a fairly strong lavender scent which is not suitable for sensitive skin. Non-comedogenic, cruelty-free and vegan.
7. Babo Botanicals Daily Sheer Fluid Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 ($20)
This is a tinted mineral sunscreen (with 20.6% zinc oxide) that delivers a healthy dose of hydration with organic raspberry oil and passion fruit seed oil. It has a golden-hued tint that blends in easily and provides sheer coverage while minimizing the white cast.
Even though it has a dewy glow finish, the formula doesn’t feel greasy and wears well under makeup without pilling. Best for normal to dry and combination skin, it is free of silicones, parabens and fragrance. Also available at Target
8. Eucerin Age Defense Facial Sunscreen SPF 50 ($14)
This fragrance-free sunscreen is formulated with an advanced antioxidant complex and hyaluronic acid to help reduce signs of aging. It has a lightweight lotion texture that absorbs quickly with a non-greasy dry touch finish, and wears nicely under makeup.
Free of oil, dyes, parabens, PABA, phthalates, oxybenzone and octinoxate, the formula is great for all skin types including sensitive skin and is non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores)
There’s also a new Eucerin Oil Control Sunscreen SPF 50 with a similar formulation that’s infused with oil absorbing minerals for those with oily or acne-prone skin.
9. Everyday Humans Resting Beach Face Sunscreen Serum SPF 30 ($24)
This is another great sunscreen that feels like a lightweight hydrating serum and smooths onto skin without any greasiness or white cast. It leaves skin moisturized with a healthy glow and works well with makeup giving you a glowy, lit-from-within finish.
Great for all skin types, this sunscreen serum also contains hyaluronic acid and boosts radiance with antioxidants spinach and green tea extract.
10. Sukin Sheer Touch Tinted Sunscreen SPF 30 ($15)
Available in 2 sheer tinted options (Light/Medium tint and Medium/Dark tint) that work for several skin tones, this sunscreen is super lightweight, doesn’t feel thick or greasy/tacky and wears perfectly alone or under makeup. Despite a high percentage of zinc oxide (21.5%), the tinted formula is truly sheer (there’s no coverage) without any white cast or chalkiness. My full review here
If you have combination to oily skin, you will love its soft matte finish! However, the formula is great for all skin types. Not to mention, it contains skin-loving ingredients like antioxidant-rich blend of rosehip oil, green tea and cucumber and is certified cruelty-free, paraben-free, vegan and reef safe.
11. e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream SPF 30 ($12)
This daily moisturizer with SPF has a creamy, whipped texture that’s lightweight-yet-hydrating and layers well under makeup without pilling.The formula sinks into the skin instantly and leaves skin feeling softer and smoother, without any greasy sheen or stickiness. Great for all skin types, this face cream contains skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide and peptides.
So, these are the best drugstore sunscreens to wear under makeup that are lightweight (never greasy or goopy) and provide superb sun protection while playing nicely with makeup! No more excuses not to slather on your SPF everyday!
Shop this post…
Leave a Reply