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.
Dr. Christine Hall, a London-based 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.
Vogue’s Favorite Sunscreens for Under Makeup
Coola Refreshing Water Plumping Gel SPF 30
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Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30
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La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen
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Kosas DreamBeam Comfy Smooth Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40
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Dr. Few Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
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Sofie Pavitt Face Screentime Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 30
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Clé de Peau Beauté UV Protective Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 50+
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YSE Beauty Skin Glow Illuminating 3-in-1 SPF 30 Primer
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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,” Hajrie Sulejmani, board-certified aesthetic injector, 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 formulas clashing and 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.
