Best Matte Makeup-Friendly Sunscreens, Rated
A matte, makeup-friendly sunscreen controls shine and doubles as a base that foundation can sit on without rolling off. We read the real ingredient list of every sunscreen in our catalog, scoring the matte finish and how well it primes, then rank the best below.
| Product | Total ▼ | ☀️ | ☢️ | 🤧 | 👻 | 🔥 | 🪨 | 🔴 | 🍄 | 👕 | 💧 | ✨ | 💄 | 🌊 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Balanced | Matte | 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 | Low | Low | Balanced | Matte | 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 | Light | Matte | 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 | Low | Low | Balanced | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 96 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Light | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 95 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Balanced | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 95 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Balanced | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 95 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Light | Matte | Excellent | Not resistant | |
| 95 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Balanced | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 95 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Balanced | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 95 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Hydrating | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 95 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Balanced | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 95 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Balanced | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 95 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Balanced | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 95 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Balanced | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 95 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Hydrating | Matte | Good | Not resistant | |
| 95 | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Balanced | Matte | Good | Not resistant |
What to know about matte makeup-friendly sunscreens
Our matte score reads the ingredient list for silica and other shine-absorbing agents and a low load of slippery oils, which is what keeps the finish flat under makeup.
The makeup-friendly facet looks for film-formers and gripping agents that let foundation adhere, and this pairs naturally with matte because the same low-oil, silica-rich base that mattifies also stops makeup from pilling.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear a sunscreen as a makeup primer?
Yes, a matte makeup-friendly sunscreen grips and smooths so foundation sits evenly. Our score reads the ingredient list for film-formers and shine control so you can find one that primes well.
Why does some sunscreen pill under makeup?
Pilling usually comes from incompatible film-formers or too much oil rubbing against foundation. Our score reads the ingredient list for gripping agents so you can avoid the formulas that roll off.