Come sunny season and women rush to the nearest cosmetic shop to buy a tub of facial sunscreen. But should we only use sunscreen during a trip to the beach? That is probably what you have been telling yourself since the day you first held a makeup brush.
Women hardly go out without makeup on. Admit it. Even the “natural look” isn’t that natural at all. Well, there’s nothing wrong with that. Makeup enhances your best features and unleashes your creative side. Who doesn’t want to look her best? Heading outdoors without sunscreen, on the other hand, is what’s wrong.
Sunscreens feel too eeky and too heavy when worn all day, they say. They make your face oily enough that you could fry an egg! It is so thick that blending sunscreen and foundation together makes you breakout. Well, this is actually true if you are referring to the 90’s sunscreen!
Today, slathering facial sunscreen on your face before you apply your makeup is one of the nicest things you can do for your skin! Sunscreens nowadays feature a semi-matte consistency and are non-chalky. Most importantly, they appear completely translucent under your foundation.
We searched high and low to present you the 7 best sunscreens to wear under foundation. But before we make the big reveal, read on the benefits of wearing one!
Benefits of Wearing a Facial Sunscreen
Protects your from skin-damaging ultraviolet rays
True, we can acquire vitamin D from the warm, radiant sun. However, more than a total of 30 minutes of sun exposure will start to create havoc on your face.
Ultraviolet radiation causes skin damage. We are more susceptible now compared to women a millenium ago. This is due to the continuous depletion of the ozone layer.
Heard of solar lentigines? Commonly known as sunspots, these dark random spots develop on your skin due to prolonged sun exposure. People with a fair complexion are more susceptible to these.
Sunspots are unsightly and quite a challenge to get rid of. Since we can’t accurately track how long or how often we get exposed to the sun, wearing sunscreen is your best protection.
Reduces risk of melanoma
Did you know women ages 20s onwards are at risk for melanoma? Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that is responsible for countless deaths.
This medical condition is characterized by large moles with uneven colors and irregular shapes, both of which will evolve over time.
Prolonged UV exposure is among its major culprits. Therefore, protect your skin from melanoma and other skin cancers.
Prevents sunburns
This has to be the most obvious benefit of wearing sunscreen. Although sunburns seem like a minor problem that goes away on its own, a study published in ‘Annals of Epidemiology says that recurring sunburns increases your risk of melanoma.
Repeated attacks of hives, itchiness, blisters, peeling, and redness weaken your skin. So, apply sunscreen to your face to say safe.
Prevents premature skin aging
Aging is inevitable as it is part of life. However, we can always cling to that smooth, supple skin for a little much longer. So, how do we best maintain a youthful appearance?
You guess it. Wear sunscreen. UV damage accelerates aging by targeting collagen and elastin. You need to protect these proteins in order to keep your skin elastic and radiant. Otherwise, fine lines and wrinkles will start to surface very soon.
Keeps your skin flawlessly white
Sunscreen is your best friend if you don’t want your skin color to look three shades darker. The higher the SPF, the better!
7 Best Sunscreens to Wear Under Makeup
1. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Sunscreen
The La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Sunscreen is our top pick in this list for many good reasons. This product has been around for a while now and has garnered a solid consumer base, which is a good indication of quality.
This product is formulated for all skin types, particularly for those with acne-prone or sensitive skin. Its formula is free of parabens and fragrance. Which means, it won’t cause redness and irritation. It is also oil-free; hence, you can wear this sunscreen every day without the fear of congesting your skin.
Since this product is oil-free, you can rest assured your makeup won’t melt off. Plus, it contains perlite and silica to give your skin a velvety matte effect. What is more, it features strong water resistance and broad spectrum SPF 60 protection. So, if you are on a hunt for maximum protection against heat and humidity, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Sunscreen is the way to go. When in doubt, go check which sunscreen won the Glamour Beauty Awards in 2016 & 2017.
2. Missha All Around Soft Finish Safe Block Sun Milk
This sunscreen hailing from Korea is a godsend! Whatever skin type you have, this sunscreen will do an amazing job at protecting your skin from UV damage all the while nourishing your skin with its blend of Aloe vera, verbena, cinchona, guava leaf, and golden root extracts.
It features a milky consistency, which makes application a breeze. Also, it settles so quickly so you can apply your makeup almost in an instant. If you love to keep your white porcelain skin just like Koreans, this is the way to go as it features SPF 50+.
3. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen
Whether you need to run in the wild, model in the sand or feature a live broadcast, the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen got you covered.
Know that this is a heavy-duty sunscreen, perfect for those who have tough jobs under the scorching sun. This product will provide you a dose of SPF 100+. What is more, it has water-resistant properties. Humidity, water, and sweat have no chance against this sunscreen!
As its name suggests, the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch won’t ruin your makeup by leaving a greasy film or a white cast. This product also blends perfectly into your skin with its light consistency.
4. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Broad-Spectrum Melt-In Sunscreen
If you want to achieve velvety smooth skin, opt for the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Broad-Spectrum Melt-In Sunscreen. This product can serve both as a sunscreen and a primer.
This sunscreen melts in your face like warm butter and sinks right into your skin. Its formula is oil-free and non-comedogenic, leaving your face matte finish for that perfect makeup base. This product also boasts of its incredible staying power, water resistance, and SPF 60. Rain or shine, you can rest assured your makeup won’t melt!
5. Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream
Warning: once you get your hands on the Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream, you might never want to try a different sunscreen ever again.
This sunscreen features a consistency that is as light as feather. Its ultra-hydrating formula goes on as easy as a moisturizer, making application quick and easy. Plus, it leaves your skin silky smooth throughout the day. Very light, you will definitely love how it feels as though you’re not wearing sunscreen at all.
Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream has SPF 35.
6. CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion With Sunscreen
Having a budget crunch? The CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion With Sunscreen will give you a good dose of SPF 30 without tearing your pocket. Apart from its budget-friendly price, you will also love how lightweight it is!
Moreover, this product contains hyaluronic acid that moisturizes your skin, keeping it fresh no matter the weather. Not only will this product shield you from the sun’s harmful UV rays, it also supplies ceramides to help your skin restore its protective barriers against environmental aggressors.
7. EltaMD UV Clear Sunscreen
The EltaMD UV Clear Sunscreen is specially formulated for acne-prone and sensitive skin types; hence, it is the perfect choice if your skin tends to go out of whack because of certain ingredients.
This product has the calming properties of niacinamide and the hydrating properties of hyaluronic acid. Most importantly, it contains lactic acid, which is a gentle exfoliant to keep pimples at bay.
In addition, its formula is free of fragrance and parabens. It also offers broad-spectrum SPF 46.
Final Thoughts
Well, we do understand that you are loving your foundation or BB cream with passion. But remember, wearing sunscreen has its benefits! Yes, sunscreens used to have a bad reputation for being a makeup wrecker. However, that was true a decade ago or so. It’s a good thing that sunscreens no longer leave an ashen residue on your face or cause your makeup to slide while you are out and about.
Now that the 7 best sunscreens to wear under makeup has been revealed, we hope that you can finally the perfect sunscreen for your skin type. You can rest assured our choices offer broad-spectrum formulas with non-comedogenic ingredients. Our choices also promise to make your skin velvety smooth and enhance the staying power of your makeup so you can have the confidence you need all day, every day!
