Best Makeup-Friendly Sunscreens, Rated
A makeup-friendly sunscreen works as a base that grips and primes without pilling or transferring under your makeup. We score every sunscreen in our catalog on its real ingredient list and rank them below.
| Product | Total ▼ | ☀️ | ☢️ | 🤧 | 👻 | 🔥 | 🪨 | 🔴 | 🍄 | 👕 | 💧 | ✨ | 💄 | 🌊 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Balanced | Balanced | Good | Not resistant | |
| 97 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Balanced | Balanced | Good | Not resistant | |
| 96 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Balanced | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 96 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Hydrating | Balanced | Good | Not resistant | |
| 96 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Safe | Low | Hydrating | Balanced | Good | Not resistant | |
| 96 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Balanced | Balanced | Good | Not resistant | |
| 96 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Balanced | Balanced | Excellent | Not resistant | |
| 96 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Safe | Low | Hydrating | Balanced | Good | Not resistant | |
| 96 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Balanced | Balanced | Excellent | Not resistant | |
| 96 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Balanced | Balanced | Good | Not resistant | |
| 96 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Balanced | Balanced | Excellent | Not resistant | |
| 96 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Balanced | Balanced | Good | Not resistant | |
| 96 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Balanced | Balanced | Excellent | Not resistant | |
| 96 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Balanced | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 96 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Balanced | Balanced | Excellent | Not resistant | |
| 96 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Balanced | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 96 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Hydrating | Balanced | Good | Not resistant | |
| 96 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Hydrating | Balanced | Good | Not resistant | |
| 96 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Balanced | Balanced | Good | Not resistant | |
| 96 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Balanced | Matte | Good | Not resistant |
What to know about makeup-friendly sunscreens
A sunscreen that plays well under makeup tends to dry down to a stable film rather than stay tacky. Our makeup score reads film-formers, powders and slip agents in the formula, the things that decide whether foundation sits evenly or rolls off in flakes.
The trade-off is finish. A grippy, primer-like base can read matte, so if you want glow under makeup, pair this with Dewy. For oily skin, combine it with a lightweight or matte pick to keep the layers thin.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my makeup pill over sunscreen?
Pilling usually comes from incompatible film-formers and gums rubbing into balls under a second layer. Our makeup score reads those film-formers and slip agents, so a higher score means the base is more likely to grip rather than roll.
Should I let sunscreen dry before makeup?
Yes. Most formulas need a few minutes to set into a stable film before foundation goes on, which cuts pilling. A sunscreen that scores well for makeup tends to set faster and more evenly.