While a regular makeup base is great for seamless application, the best primers with SPF can offer this and extra sun protection. We recommend layering them with your go-to facial sunscreen for ultimate protection and a gorgeous, glowy finish. Here, we spoke with dermatologists and makeup artists who share their favorites, and then tested a dozen formulas ourselves. We narrowed it down to five picks that will help blur pores, protect you from UV rays, and preserve your full beat all day.
Our top primers with SPF
- Best Overall: Supergoop! Glowscreen Sunscreen (SPF 40), $33
- Best for Glowy Finish: e.l.f. Suntouchable Invisible Sunscreen (SPF 35), $13
- Best for Wrinkles: Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer (SPF 50), $55
- Best for a Full Beat: Smashbox Photo Finish UVA/UVB Primer (SPF 45), $18
- Best for Oil Control: Eadem Sunsuede Sunscreen & Blurring Primer Stick (SPF 50+), $32
Best Overall: Supergoop! Glowscreen Sunscreen with Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide (SPF 40)
Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40 Sunscreen with Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide
Amazon
Sephora
Blue Mercury
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| Light tint with dewy finish | Chemical sunscreen may irritate those with very sensitive skin |
| Lightweight texture | |
| Higher SPF |
This weightless sunscreen is lauded by experts, including dermatologists and makeup artists who often reach for it when working with clients. “It soaks into the skin and gives a kaç radiant base for makeup while also offering protection,” says Kasey Spickard, a celebrity makeup artist based in NYC. As for its ingredients? It features hyaluronic acid to plump and encourage moisture retention, plus vitamin B5 and niacinamide for a supple, even-toned finish. We also like that it includes antioxidants in addition to SPF 40. This combination helps protect skin from free radicals and signs of aging caused by sun damage (think: dark spots, melasma, and fine lines).
Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary says:
“This glowy sunscreen layers right under my makeup with zero pilling. I notice my skin looks plumper and softer after use, and I like how quickly it absorbs. It also gives me a golden glow that shines through any foundation or concealer I apply on top. It’s as if I spent the last week at the beach,”—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour commerce writer
Fast facts:
- SPF: 40
- Type: Chemical
- Key Ingredients: Avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, sea lavender, cocoa peptides
Best for Glowy Finish: e.l.f. Suntouchable Invisible Sunscreen (SPF 35)
E.l.f. Suntouchable Invisible Sunscreen (SPF 35)
Amazon
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| Completely clear gel formula | Small bottle |
| Absorbs quickly | |
| Leaves a glow |
This drugstore primer is a Glamour editor-favorite because it protects without the chalky white cast. The formula is completely clear and works to blur areas of texture like acne or large pores for a soft and supple finish. The aloe vera and meadowfoam seed oil soften and keep skin hydrated all day. We also like that the formula is water-resistant, perfect if you’re wearing makeup to a pool party or event where you might come into contact with water.
Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle says:
“Don’t underestimate this tiny SPF bottle. The glowy, radiant finish is so good that I like to pair it with a blush and go with a no makeup look most days. It’s lightweight and absorbs almost instantly—perfect for my combination skin. Even though the tube is small, a little bit of the tinted formula goes a long way to help you get the most bang for your buck.”—Jenifer Calle, Glamour senior commerce editor
Glamour contributor Nykia Spradley says:
“The wrong sunscreen under makeup can make my skin look greasy pretty quickly. This one does the opposite. The moussy texture of the tinted SPF blurs out my pores and hyperpigmentation before I even apply a base. After a few hours under makeup, my oily areas are in check, and my skin looks glowy and not greasy.” —Nykia Spradley, Glamour contributor
Fast facts:
- SPF: 35
- Type: Chemical
- Key Ingredients: Avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate
Best for Smoothing Wrinkles: Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer (SPF 50)
Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Primer (SPF 50)
Amazon
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| High SPF | More expensive than most |
| Hydrating | |
| Smoothes creases |
It may not come as much of a surprise that the queen of makeup makes one of the best primers with SPF out there—particularly if your skin skews dry. “The SPF 50 provides maximum protection against sun damage,” says Michele Green, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. “This primer also contains hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate the skin, as well as smoothing, airbrush polymers to minimize the appearance of pores and fine lines.” SPF, hydration, and antiaging benefits? Color us impressed.
Glamour contributor Charlotte Twine says:
“This sunscreen primer is the fastest-absorbing face sunscreen that I’ve ever used. I’m naturally sweaty and have hot flashes on the regular—I’ve been known to sweat in the refrigerated section of Costco. So I’m picky about SPF products, as they tend to be sticky and don’t absorb very quickly. Not only did this product absorb right away, but it also served as a great primer by minimizing my pores and giving me a radiant glow. All I used with this primer was a blurring finishing powder with a minimal amount of makeup, and I felt pretty and ready to face the Florida sun. The price is steep at $55, but it’s worth it, in my opinion.”—Charlotte Twine, Glamour contributor
Fast facts:
- SPF: 50
- Type: Chemical
- Key Ingredients: Octinoxate, octisalate, avobenzone, octocrylene, hyaluronic acid
Best for a Full Beat: Smashbox Photo Finish SPF 45 UVA/UVB Primer
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Smashbox Photo Finish SPF 45 UVA/UVB Primer
Amazon
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| Supports a long-lasting full beat | Takes a minute to try down |
| Doesn’t pill | |
| Good for oily skin |
If you love wearing a full face of makeup, you’ll love this mattifying primer that doesn’t pill and pairs well with any tinted moisturizer or foundation. It features antioxidant protection from free radical damage and pollution, as well as hyaluronic acid to hydrate and soften skin. It’s non-greasy and has a lightweight finish that takes a minute to dry down, but leaves you with fresh, dewy skin ready for makeup.
Glamour’s Calle says:
“The first time I tried this SPF primer, I thought it was just a really great sunscreen. It absorbed so nicely and gave me a dewy finish. It was effortless to glide on foundation, bronzer, concealer, and blush—the works. I noticed my makeup wasn’t coming off by the end of the day like it normally does when I don’t use primer, so it definitely did a great job at keeping my beat together.” —J.C.
Fast facts:
- SPF: 45
- Type: Chemical
- Key Ingredients: Homosalate, octocrylene, ethylhexyl salicylate, hyaluronic acid
Best for Oil Control: Eadem Sunsuede SPF 50+ Lightweight Sunscreen & Blurring Primer Stick
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Eadem Sunsuede SPF 50+ Lightweight Sunscreen & Blurring Primer Stick
Sephora
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| Stick form makes it easy to apply | Pricey for the size |
| Buttery formula that glides onto skin | |
| Fragrance-free |
This sunscreen stick is a must-try to blur pores and control shine under makeup. It’s the most lightweight we tested—the harika creamy texture blends down quickly and leaves skin nourished and supple. Ingredients-wise, it contains kaolin clay to help absorb excess oil, plus resveratrol (an antioxidant) to strengthen the skin barrier. Those, combined with camellia oil and fruit enzymes, nourish and smooth skin.
Glamour’s Kilkeary says:
“I’m pretty much enamored with this stick as it’s one of the best sunscreens I’ve tried in a while. It has a gentle, light, and airy formula that gives you a velvety finish—my skin has truly never felt softer after applying a sunscreen. It dried down quickly, and my tinted moisturizer glided right on top. Needless to say, I’ll be using this one non-stop well into the summer months!”—A.M.K
Fast facts:
- SPF: 50+
- Type: Chemical
- Key Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
Other primers with SPF we tried, but didn’t include
- If you’re looking for a multi-tasking primer, we recommend Lancôme Supra Screen Invisible Serum Sunscreen SPF 50+. It’ll hydrate and brighten skin, all while keeping your makeup intact all day. While we thought it created a great base for foundation, the formula is a bit runny and very expensive for the size, so we omitted it from the list.
- Another pick we tested was the Kosas DreamBeam Silicone-Free Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40 with Ceramides and Peptides. It gives you a smooth, satin finish that keeps skin hydrated all day. There’s no white cast residue, just a soft,l velvety feel. We removed it from the list because it pills if you use too much.
- A Korean SPF primer we recommend is the Innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45, which features hyaluronic acid and cica to soften and moisturize skin. This one has a green tint, great for hiding redness. We ultimately removed it from the list because we feel that it makes a good sunscreen, but doesn’t necessarily elongate our makeup.
Frequently asked questions
Is SPF in primer enough? Do you still need to double up on sunscreen?
“Many primers contain SPF 15 or 20, but a primer with SPF 15 or 20 is likely not sufficient for proper sun protection and should be applied after using sunscreen with SPF 50 or higher,” says Dr. Green. Even if you have a primer with SPF 50, the dermatologists we spoke with recommend doubling down and layering it over a regular sunscreen. “My philosophy is that SPF-infused makeup is an excellent bonus, but should not be a substitute for daily sunscreen use,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon.
Do you have to reapply sunscreen even if you use an SPF primer?
In short, yes.“Since SPF degrades throughout the day with UV exposure, sweat, oil production, and touching the face, you always need to reapply,” says Kseniya Kobets, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Deva. SPF testing is based on a generous application, and most primers or makeup are applied too thinly to reach the labeled SPF, so a dedicated sunscreen underneath and reapplication are still important.
Do you put primer on before or after moisturizer?
“The purpose of moisturizer is to hydrate and nourish the skin, which is why we want it to soak in first. Primer prepares the skin for makeup by creating a smoother, more even “canvas” that cosmetics—like foundation, concealer, etc—sit on top of,” says Dr. Engelman.
What should you look for in an SPF primer?
When shopping for a makeup primer with SPF, look for ones that have an SPF 30 or higher and your desired final finish, whether that’s dewy, matte, or satin, says Spickard. Dr. Engelman also recommends looking for ingredients that nourish the skin in addition to a high SPF. “Look for hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides, and antioxidants,” she says. Here’s a breakdown of what each ingredient does:
- Hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates skin and encourages it to retain moisture. You’ll be left with a more supple complexion that’s free of dry patches and flaking.
- Niacinamide helps calm irritated and inflamed skin. It can also help even out skin tone and texture for a more clarified, smooth look.
- Peptides work to stimulate collagen production in the skin and give your complexion a bouncy, youthful glow and finish.
- Antioxidants like vitamin C and E will help brighten dark spots, brighten skin, and minimize dullness and discoloration over time. These ingredients are often paired with SPF because they also protect against free radical damage caused by UV.
There are two general types of makeup primers: ones that are water-based and ones that are silicone-based. Water-based primers pair better with water-based makeup products, while silicone-based primers pair better with silicone-based makeup. Sticking to the same base ingredient in your primer and foundation will ensure that it doesn’t pill, smudge or run throughout the day.
How we tested
After polling dermatologists for their favorites, we tested SPF primers by evaluating texture (whether they had a gel consistency or something creamier), finish (matte or dewy) and how well they kept our makeup in place during the day (for up to 12 hours of wear). All facial primers had a asgarî of SPF 30 and skin-boosting ingredients.. Our testers with a variety of skin types (dry, oily, mature and more), wore them for a full day, from running errands on the weekend to work. We checked if they pilled or if they kept makeup locked in throughout the day.
Meet the expert
- Michele Green, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC
- Kseniya Kobets, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care
- Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon.
- Kasey Spickard, a celebrity makeup artist based in NYC
