This illuminating SPF sits beautifully under my makeup, and I wear it every day
Investing in a sunscreen for your face is one of the best ways to protect your skin. No matter the weather, you still need to wear adequate protection year-round to help prevent sun damage and premature ageing.
As tempting as it may be to use a body sunscreen for your face, there's a genuine reason why specific facial formulas are made. The skin on your face is more delicate than the rest of your body, so it's more prone to irritation and breakouts.
The best sunscreens to wear under makeup, at a glance
The best facial sunscreens are made with high-factor protection and comforting ingredients to keep sensitivity at bay. You'll also find they're less rich compared to body creams, making them much more inviting to massage into your skin.
"There is a cosmetic elegance to premium SPFs that provide a more pleasant user experience. These formulas will blend seamlessly, leaving no white cast, which is crucial for daily wear," explains Kimberley Medd, Clinic Lead at Face the Future.
As for their finish, long gone are the days when facial sunscreen left you with a dull complexion and clogged pores. Skin protectors are much more advanced – even the more affordable pharmacy buys.
The top formulas easily glide onto the skin and sink in without leaving a sticky residue or causing pilling. "Consistencies tend to be lightweight and non-greasy, making them comfortable for everyday use under makeup," adds Medd.
It's also worth taking note of whether the formula is mineral or chemical. Mineral-based products, which contain filters like like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, deflect sun rays away from your skin. On the other hand, chemical sunscreens absorb the rays and use active ingredients to convert them into heat and emit them out of your body. While both are effective, it's often recommended by experts to opt for mineral formulas if you have sensitive skin.
From invisible mists to comforting creams, see Red's edit of the best sunscreens for your face, all of which you can wear under makeup.
Sun Perfect Sun Illuminating Cream
Lancaster's Illuminating Cream ticks the sensible box by protecting the skin, thanks to factor 50 UVA and UVB defence, but what truly excites me is the stunning finish it leaves on the skin.
Pearly but still flattering, the cream leaves a gorgeous sheen that is pretty enough to wear alone. But if you want to layer on a foundation, know that it'll sit beautifully without pilling or sliding around.
Type: Mineral and chemical
SPF: 50
Advanced Day Ultimate Protect
Medik8’s unique formula is perfect for city weekends and sun-soaked holidays. Not only does it boast factor 50 defence, but also PA++++ which means you’re getting exceptionally high protection against UVA and UVB rays. It’s a powerful one but it has a delicate consistency, so you’d never guess.
Type: Chemical
SPF: 50
Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer
If adding sunscreen into your morning skincare routine is a step too many, we'd suggest incorporating protection via your primer. Charlotte Tilbury's Flawless Poreless Primer not only hydrates and primes your skin ready for makeup – note that it leaves a soft-focus finish to blur pores – but it also provides factor 50 protection and pollution defence.
Type: Chemical
SPF: 50
£40.00 at charlottetilbury.com
Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF50
Using an SPF moisturiser is a brilliant way to double up on your UV defence.
CeraVe's Facial Moisturising Lotion is a favourite amongst beauty editors for its high-factor protection and hydrating formula. It doesn't sit on the skin, but sinks into the deeper layers to provide sustained moisture.
Use it in your morning skincare routine and you'll never miss out on SPF again.
Type: Chemical
SPF: 50
The One SPF 50 Invisible Sunscreen Gel
Allies of Skin's The One Invisible Sunscreen is perfect for those who don't enjoy wearing SPF. The innovation comes after 60 attempts to finalise the texture, ingredients list and efficacy, resulting in The One. The clear, gel formula works across all skin types and easily glides on for lightweight wear, leaving no tell-tale streaks in its wake.
The aloe vera base feels cooling on sensitive skin, while vitamin C and niacinamide enhance the SPF's efficacy while reducing the appearance of pores. A small dollop goes a long way so the bottle will last.
Type: Chemical
SPF: 50
Repair Sunscreen SPF 50+
111 Skin has – finally – made its foray into the world of SPF and while it has taken years in the making, the wait was entirely worthwhile. First, you'll appreciate the sensorial appeal: its silky texture beautifully slips over the skin, creating a hydrating base to layer makeup.
A scan of the ingredients list will prove just how special this innovation is. Getting the balance right between formulating active ingredients with SPF, the sunscreen contains the brand's NACY2 complex – a combination of vitamin C, escin and encapsulated NAC to repair and soothe. As for protection, it offers SPF 50 UVA and UVB defence, so know that it's looking after your skin just as much as it's improving its appearance.
Type: Chemical
SPF: 50
Supreme Screen Hydrating Facial Skinscreen
This SPF has received high praise from Caroline Hirons. She said in an Instagram live: "I have a mantelpiece filled with a selection of sunscreens, but this is the only one that’s empty. You don’t need it if you’re oily, but if you have dry skin, it glows." It’s hydrating without feeling sticky and leaves a subtle radiance that makes it a beautiful base to apply your makeup on.
Type: Chemical
SPF: 50
See The Light SPF 50+ Moisturiser
Boasting factor 50 protection against damaging rays, Trinny London's See The Light sunscreen is a clever formula that your skin will thank you for.
Not like the claggy sunscreens of late, the milky texture sinks in without a trace and nourishes in a way I never thought possible. Read my full Trinny London SPF review here.
Type: Mineral
SPF: 50
Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Retinoid use and SPF should go hand in hand as it's crucial to keep those new layers of skin protected against damaging sun rays. Perfect for the job, Paula's Choice's Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen goes beyond just sun defence. The creamy formula sinks in like your favourite moisturiser to keep your barrier nourished and hydrated too.
Type: Mineral
SPF: 30
Super UV Invisible Face Serum
If sensitivity discourages you from applying SPF, be sure to pick up a bottle of this delicate serum as it is specifically formulated with reactive skin in mind.
Besides the high factor protection, it contains ceramides which help strengthen your skin barrier and boost hydration. And if you sway away from rich creams, you’ll appreciate the silky consistency of the serum.
It seamlessly glides over your skin, making it the perfect base to apply your makeup to.
Type: Chemical
SPF: 50
Vitamin C Daily UV Fluid SPF50 Invisible
If you’re looking for a brightening boost, Garnier's UV fluid combines vitamin C and high-factor protection into one lightweight formula.
Harnessing the benefits of vitamin C, the sunscreen provides antioxidant protection against pollution and UV rays, while helping to nix pigmentation and awaken a dull complexion.
Alongside plumping peptides, it'll also support the skin's hydration levels, ensuring that your makeup stays fresh throughout the day.
Type: Chemical
SPF: 50
UV-Base Primer SPF 50
Terry de Gunzburg, the founder of By Terry, is a stalwart in the makeup industry, but there’s something to be said about this skincare product.
Doubling up as a sunscreen and primer, it offers factor 50 protection and contains vitamin E to keep your skin hydrated for as long as you wear it. The demi-matte finish leaves skin looking radiant, but never greasy, making it the perfect product to layer on before your foundation.
Type: Chemical
SPF: 50
Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+
This lightweight SPF from Bondi Sands has been a huge hit with fans since it launched, selling out repeatedly after every re-stock. Its easy-to-wear texture glides onto the skin, seamlessly sitting under makeup without pilling. And best of all? It costs just £7.
Type: Chemical
SPF: 50
Anthelios Shaka Ultra Light Facial Sun Cream SPF50
Models, dermatologists and facialists swear by La Roche-Posay's Anthelios suncare range, and so do I.
With a super-light texture that's more like a serum than a sunscreen, it blends seamlessly into skin and contains calming French thermal spring water for sensitive skin.
Type: Mineral
SPF: 50
Sun Defence Drops SPF 50
Designed by British skincare brand Olivanna, these lightweight mineral drops prove that high-factor formulas don’t need to feel suffocating on your skin.
It instantly sinks in, leaving behind a delicate touch of radiance to your complexion. And because of the serum-like nature, it works beautifully under your makeup too.
Type: Mineral
SPF: 50
Vinosun High Protection Spray
Every beauty bag requires a spray-on formula – I think they’re the easiest way to put on sunscreen. They're often applied on top of makeup, but you can also spritz one on as the last step of your skincare routine before applying foundation.
Caudalie’s Vinosun is a wonderful choice; the fine mist settles evenly onto your skin, instantly sinking in to leave an invisible finish. The formula contains vitamin E to ensure your moisture levels stay in check, not forgetting the generous factor 50 protection.
Type: Chemical
SPF: 50
Glowscreen
Supergoop's Glow Screen offers a golden lick of pearl (think: delicate shimmer as opposed to glitter) for a high-polish skin finish.
There's factor 30 protection to provide great sun defence, while hyaluronic acid and niacinamide keep your skin supple and hydrated for as long as you wear it.
Type: Chemical
SPF: 30
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