Best sunscreens to wear under makeup 2026: Beauty of Joseon vs Supergoop, EltaMD, Bioré & La Roche-Posay
By Lady Fiddle · Updated July 2026
A sunscreen can be great on its own and still ruin your face — if it pills, goes greasy or slides your makeup off, it's useless as a base. Malvina wore the viral Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun every morning for a month specifically because her makeup sits so well on top of it, so we started there, then researched the other sunscreens people cross-shop as makeup bases. Here are the five best, and which finish suits your skin.
| Pick | SPF | Filter type | Finish | Best for | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun | 50+ · PA++++ | Chemical | Dewy, glowy | Dry / normal | ~$18 |
| Supergoop! Unseen | 40 | Chemical | Velvety, blurring | All skin, primer lovers | ~$40 |
| EltaMD UV Clear | 46 | Mineral (zinc) | Natural-matte | Acne / sensitive | ~$44 |
| Bioré UV Aqua Rich | 50+ · PA++++ | Chemical | Fresh, natural | Budget, all skin | ~$12 |
| La Roche-Posay Anthelios Fluid | 60 | Chemical | Semi-matte | Oily / combination | ~$35 |
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+
The one Malvina actually wears every morning — lightweight, no white cast, and her makeup goes on top with no pilling and no sliding. The dewy, glowy finish is the whole appeal for dry-to-normal skin, and the price is lovely. The honest catch: that same dewiness is too much if your skin is already oily.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
Basically a sunscreen and a makeup primer in one. It's a clear, weightless gel with a slightly velvety, blurring finish that grips makeup beautifully and disappears on every skin tone. Scentless and oil-free. It's the pricey one here, and it's a chemical filter formula, but as a pure makeup base it's hard to beat.
EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46
The dermatologist favourite. A zinc-based formula with niacinamide, oil-free and non-comedogenic, made for acne-prone, sensitive and rosacea skin. The finish is more natural-matte than dewy, so it sits calmly under makeup without adding shine. Comes tinted or untinted.
Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+ PA++++
The cult Japanese one, and usually the cheapest good SPF you can buy. A watery, almost skincare-like essence that sinks in fast, layers well under makeup and gives strong PA++++ UVA protection. A chemical formula with a very light feel — the trade-off is it's a smaller tube you'll refill often.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid SPF 60
If Beauty of Joseon's dewiness is too much for you, this is the swap. A high-SPF, oxybenzone-free fluid that dries down light and semi-matte, controls shine and still layers cleanly under makeup. The most 'grown-up sunscreen' of the group — less glow, more protection and staying power.
How we chose
Malvina has worn the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun every morning for about a month, chosen specifically because her makeup sits so well over it — you can read her full Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun review for the detail. That hands-on experience is the anchor. For the rest, we compared the sunscreens most often recommended as makeup bases on the things that decide whether your face survives the day: the finish, the filter type, which skin type they suit, protection level and price. Prices are approximate and vary by size and retailer.
So which should you buy?
If you want glow and a smooth base and your skin is dry-to-normal, the Beauty of Joseon is the one Malvina reaches for — and it’s the cheapest of the “nice” ones. Want it to double as a makeup primer? The Supergoop! Unseen has that velvety, blurring feel. Breakout-prone or sensitive? The zinc-based EltaMD UV Clear is the calm, derm-loved pick. On a budget, the Bioré UV Aqua Rich gives you serious protection for pocket money. And if your skin runs oily and dewy sunscreens slide off you, the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Fluid dries down matte and holds makeup better.
There’s no single winner — it comes down to your skin type and the finish you want under your makeup. Match those two things and any of these will treat your face well.
Quick questions
- What actually makes a sunscreen good under makeup?
- It has to sink in and set, not stay tacky. A sunscreen that stays wet or greasy makes foundation pill (roll up into little bits) and slide off. The best makeup bases dry down to a smooth, slightly grippy finish — dewy for dry skin, more matte for oily skin — so makeup has something to hold onto.
- Is Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun good under makeup?
- Yes — it's the reason Malvina keeps reaching for it. Her makeup goes on top with no pilling and no sliding, like a smooth base. Just note the finish is dewy and glowy, so it's ideal for dry-to-normal skin and can feel like too much if you're oily.
- Which of these is best if my skin is oily?
- The La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid or the EltaMD UV Clear. Both dry down more matte and control shine, so makeup sits better through the day than it would over a dewy sunscreen.
- What's the cheapest good sunscreen for under makeup?
- The Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence. It's usually the least expensive here, gives strong SPF50+ PA++++ protection, and its watery texture layers nicely under makeup. The catch is a smaller tube, so you'll repurchase more often.
- Do I still need to reapply if I'm wearing makeup?
- Yes — SPF wears off through the day no matter what's on top. In strong sun, reapply every two hours. Over makeup, a powder or spray SPF is the easiest way to top up without wrecking your face.