7 Best Sunscreens Under Makeup for Smooth, Pill-Free Wear

22.05.2026, 16:24 allure.com

The best sunscreens under makeup do more than shield your skin from UV rays—they also have to survive foundation, blush, concealer, and whatever skin-care routine you layered underneath. Nothing tests your patience quite like spending 15 minutes blending your makeup, only to watch it start to ball up into tiny flakes around your nose. One minute you're glowing; the next, your face looks like it’s shedding.

Before you blame (or, worse, skip) your SPF, know that the sunscreen itself often isn’t actually the issue. According to Anetta Reszko, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, pilling can happen when you layer “silicone-heavy products, apply sunscreen before previous skin care has fully absorbed, or use very thick or occlusive moisturizer underneath it.

But a few strategic steps can prevent that from happening, like using a lightweight moisturizer and wearing a makeup-friendly SPF that absorbs quickly, dries down smoothly, and doesn’t leave behind a slick or tacky finish. Ahead, our editors gladly risked a few good makeup days in the name of finding the best ones.

Alastin

Amazon

Alastin

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen SPF 36

Why it's worth it: Since Alastin’s HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen SPF 36 has a subtle tint, you may find you don’t need makeup at all—for some, “it functions as a hybrid between sunscreen and complexion product,” says Dr. Reszko. But if you’re looking for more coverage, it still layers well under makeup. Mineral filters (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) provide broad-spectrum protection, while ectoin supports the skin barrier and binds water to the skin, so you’re less likely to deal with makeup clinging to dry patches. “The tint blends easily for most skin tones,” adds May Hall, DO, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Asheville, North Carolina. It comes in just one shade, so while our tester confirms it blends pretty sheer, it might not be a true shade match for extremely fair skin.

Beyond the tint and UV filters, it’s loaded with additional ingredients to help your skin cope with the stress it faces long after sun exposure. Ectoin supports the skin barrier and maintains hydration, while antioxidants phytoene and phytofluene protect against free-radical damage triggered by infrared exposure and environmental pollution. There’s also hydroxymethoxyphenyl decanone, another potent antioxidant that helps skin stay plump and calm. Translation: It’s a complexion product and an antioxidant serum rolled into one.

Lee immediately after applying the Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen SPF 36

Lee at the end of the day after applying the Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen SPF 36

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

“As someone with sensitive and fair skin, I’m usually picky about mineral sunscreens, and I was a little hesitant that Alastin's Skincare HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen SPF 36 only comes in one shade—but the tint is sheer enough to cancel out any chalkiness. I definitely wouldn't personally say it’s in makeup territory, but it does add just enough to even out your skin. It blends in beautifully and absorbs quickly, but I usually sweep another layer of my favorite dewy serum foundation to even out my melasma more.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

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Beauty of Joseon

Sephora

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Beauty of Joseon Dayscreen Moisturizer SPF 30

Why it's worth it: If you want a Beauty of Joseon sunscreen that feels like you’re wearing nothing, meet Dayscreen. Similar to the original Relief Sun that went viral many times over, this chemical SPF will lend you that glass glow and serve as a fantastic hydrating but never heavy primer. Low-molecular hyaluronic acid—meaning it has smaller molecules that can penetrate to deeper levels of your skin—and green tea make up Beauty of Joseon's proprietary ingredient, Green Tea-HA, for comfortable, lightweight, and skin-soothing moisture. On top of that, ceramide NP supports a healthy, stronger barrier by helping your skin retain moisture. Despite feeling weightless, it's a true moisturizer-sunscreen hybrid that you can count on each a.m. to nourish and protect your complexion.

Han immediately after applying the Beauty of Joseon Day Dew Sunscreen

Han at the end of the day after applying the Beauty of Joseon Day Dew Sunscreen

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

"Like most Korean sunscreen lovers, I fell hard for Beauty of Joseon’s Relief Sun in 2022 when it was practically everywhere on social media. While I have a few stockpiled extras of the formula (beauty editor perk), I’ve been searching high and low for comparable, FDA-approved formulas to see which stack up to the original fave, if any. I’m happy to report that Dayscreen is seriously on par with Relief Sun, and, to make things better, is designed with a thinner nozzle that makes dispensing three finger lengths’ worth of product cleaner and easier. This formula is just as lightweight, breathable, and moisturizing as the original, thanks to green tea and ceramides, and disappears without a trace. It also doesn’t seep into or sting my eyes, which is always a concern when it comes to chemical sunscreens. It also doesn’t make my combination skin and T-zone look too gleamy—but that’s what setting powder is for.

Speaking of makeup, I was really impressed by how Dayscreen held up underneath my usual skin care (toner, vitamin C, and sometimes moisturizer) and my base makeup. I usually only wear concealer but I’ve tested this SPF underneath a full face of skin tint/foundation, and zero pilling in sight. As someone who loves my moisturizing skin-care layers, this is the ultimate test—especially when I’m running late in the mornings and zero time (or patience) to remove everything with micellar water or, worse, straight-up wash my face. I’ve become so impressed that this is now my go-to travel sunscreen!" —Sarah Han, commerce editor

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Peach & Lily

Ulta Beauty

Allure senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor applying the Peach & Lily Beam Blocker Invisible Sunscreen

Why it's worth it: With its fully chemical formula, Peach & Lily’s Beam Blocker Invisible Sunscreen goes on completely clear, but what really sets it apart is how well it keeps inflammation and redness in check, especially the kind triggered by sun exposure and environmental stress. Antioxidants like green tea and ferulic acid neutralize oxidative stress (which can lead to sensitivity), while ectoin acts more like a bodyguard for your skin cells, protecting them from environmental stress. Soothing ingredients like bisabolol and Centella asiatica step in to further calm redness. Together, they help skin stay balanced throughout the day.

In addition to its anti-inflammatory benefits, it rounds things out with niacinamide to even tone, plus ceramides and panthenol to support the barrier, so skin is less reactive overall. And when it comes to makeup, it really shines: The texture is smooth and lightly hydrating with just enough slip, so foundation glides on evenly. It’s also ophthalmologist-tested, so you can comfortably take it all the way up to the undereye and along the orbital bone—essential for getting seamless SPF coverage beneath undereye concealer without irritation.

Calaor before applying the Peach & Lily Beam Blocker Invisible Sunscreen

Calaor after applying the Peach & Lily Beam Blocker Invisible Sunscreen

Tester feedback from senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor

“My skin is dehydrated year-round, so all of my face products need to be hydrating. This one delivers, creating that satisfying ‘squish’ as I massage it in. It feels like a moisturizer and absorbs within seconds of application. It acts as a fantastic base for makeup—smoothing dry patches and never pilling under my skin tints or liquid foundations. I use it every day on my face, neck, and on and behind my ears. I even gave it to my dad to try, and he said the formula feels like a regular facial moisturizer, which is a big plus for someone hesitant to use sunscreen daily.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor

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Ilia

Ilia

Sephora

Allure creative producer Sydney Malone applying the Ilia Sun Serum Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

Why it's worth it: No fewer than six of our staffers practically stopped everything they were doing to slather on Ilia’s Sun Serum Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 the second it launched this year. And considering mineral sunscreens have a reputation for being thick, heavy, and generally a little too sunscreen-y, Ilia pulls off a serum-like texture that feels weightless. What makes it even more impressive: It packs a fairly high 10.5% concentration of zinc oxide, which is —one of the trickiest UV filters to make feel elegant, especially at SPF 50. Yet, it glides onto skin so effortlessly, you might not even suspectguess it was a mineral sunscreen at all. Seven forms of hyaluronic acid drench skin with hydration to offset the dryness mineral SPFs can sometimes leave behind, while echinacea and arctic root extracts keep excess sebum in check. While the lightweight texture is fluid, it’s not quite as runny as the Skin Tint loyalists know and love.

Tester feedback from creative producer Sydney Malone

“I have combination skin, so I am always wary of products that will either dry me out or make me appear too oily—I prefer a happy medium. This is especially true of sunscreens, because I have found that there are either mineral formulas that often leave an ashy appearance or sheer ones that are supposed to give a ‘glow’ but, in reality, make me look sweaty.

When I first squeezed this product out of the bottle, I was scared by the tone of brown that the product was because it seemed like it would be ashy. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it applied to my skin and settled. It felt like that perfect mix I look for, and honestly, it was the most impressed I’ve eve