If you wear make-up most days, you’ve probably asked yourself at some point: should you put sunscreen on before or after make-up? Daily SPF is a must for healthy, protected skin but how should you apply it, and what’s the best sunscreen under make-up?
At Green People, we make natural and organic facial sunscreens with skin-friendly ingredients and also have some natural make-up products - so we know all about the best ways to apply sunscreen with make-up.
With the right formulas and a few simple techniques, you can build a routine that keeps your skin protected without messing up your make-up.
Here’s what you need to know about wearing sunscreen with your make-up.
At a glance:
- Always apply sunscreen before make-up as the final step of your skin care routine
- Allow sunscreen 2–5 minutes to absorb before applying make-up
- Best sunscreen for under make-up: Green People Scent Free Facial Sun Cream SPF30
- Best foundation with SPF: Green People Age Defy+ Tinted DD Cream SPF15
- For reapplication every 2 hours without disturbing make-up: pat gently, use easy-to-use SPF products, focus on sun-exposed areas and let SPF absorb before touching up
- Carry a travel-size SPF product on-the-go for easy midday top-ups.
Do you put sunscreen on before or after make-up?
The main thing you need to know is that your sunscreen should always go on before make-up. Think of it as the final step in your skin care routine before you move on to your make-up.
If you apply SPF after your make-up, it may not be properly absorbed by the skin and it may not give the protection you are expecting.
- Cleanse. Start off with freshly cleansed skin. Ensure any products that you apply after cleansing are fully absorbed before applying your sunscreen.
- Protect. Apply your SPF liberally and ensure you’ve covered all exposed skin – including neck and décolletage as well as your face – then wait again for it to be absorbed before you move on to foundation.
- Perfect. Apply your make-up as usual. Your foundation may also include some SPF in it, with mineral make-up often containing built-in protection. It’s ok to apply another make-up with SPF on top of your base sunscreen.
You should ideally apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside, and then reapply every two hours, as its effectiveness naturally decreases over time.
Even if you’re mostly indoors and away from direct sunlight, it’s still a good idea to top up if you sit near a window or go outside throughout the day.
How can I re-apply sunscreen when wearing make-up?
Sunscreen should always be applied under make-up as your main layer of protection, but that doesn’t mean you can’t reapply later. If you’re out for the day, in and out of the sun or even just working near a window, your SPF will naturally break down.
No-one wants to take their make-up off and start again halfway through the day. The trick is to use products designed to layer over make-up (like powders and mists), or to use a tinted sunscreen that you can reapply like makeup.
Our Age Defy+ Tinted DD Moisturiser is a sheer coverage, tinted moisturiser made with natural ingredients and SPF15 sun protection. It helps to even out your skin tone, enhances your natural glow and protects your skin.
Age Defy+ Tinted DD Moisturiser SPF 15 – Light 30ml
Hydrate, glow and protect with this tinted moisturiser with SPF.£45.00
Also available in medium.
How long should you wait after applying sunscreen to apply make-up?
Once you’ve applied your sunscreen, it’s worth giving it a few minutes to settle before applying foundation. Two to five minutes is usually enough time for most formulas to absorb into your skin and start protecting it.
If you apply make-up too soon, you risk moving the sunscreen around and creating uneven coverage. Letting it set means your base will apply more smoothly and stay put for longer.
What’s the best sunscreen for your face under make-up?
Choosing the right sunscreen for under make-up is all about balance. You want something that gives proper protection without feeling thick or sticky, and that won’t cause your foundation to slip or separate.
The best sunscreen under make-up will feel more like skin care than sun cream. And if you wear make-up every day, finding an SPF that doesn’t leave a white cast or pill when layered is important to keep your make-up looking good with your SPF.
Look for lightweight, non-greasy textures that absorb quickly and, if you’re prone to breakouts, ingredients that won’t block your pores. Organic and natural sunscreens are kinder to sensitive skin too.
Our Scent Free Facial Sun Cream SPF30 is perfect for daily wear, with or without make-up. Its non-greasy texture and gentle, fragrance-free formula make it perfect for all skin types – even the most sensitive skin.
With broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, balancing Inulin Prebiotics and a blend of collagen-protecting antioxidants from Edelweiss and Green Tea, this natural and organic sunscreen is so much more than just sun cream.
Scent Free Facial Sun Cream - SPF30 50ml
Shield and hydrate with this facial SPF. Ideal for dry or sensitive skin.£29.00
Best facial sunscreens with built-in foundation
If you love a multi-tasking product, a tinted sunscreen or moisturiser is a great way to simplify your morning routine. They give light coverage while protecting your skin from the sun, so they’re perfect for low-maintenance days when you want a more natural look.
Our Age Defy+ Tinted DD Cream SPF15 does all three. It’s a tinted daily defence cream that hydrates, smooths and evens out your complexion, all while keeping it protected from UVA and UVB rays.
It is available in two shades, light and medium.
Age Defy+ Tinted DD Moisturiser SPF 15 – Light 30ml
Hydrate, glow and protect with this tinted moisturiser with SPF.£45.00
Do you have medium skin tone or tan during summer? Try our medium shade.
Age Defy+ Tinted DD Moisturiser SPF 15 – Medium 30ml
Hydrate, glow and protect with this tinted moisturiser with SPF.£45.00
Tips for reapplying sunscreen without messing up your make-up
The first thing you can do to ensure continued protection from your sunscreen is by double applying your sunscreen before putting your make-up on in the morning. This will give you a really good base and reduce any chance of missed bits.
However, if you need to re-apply, here are some ways to top up your protection without undoing all of the effort you made with your make-up that morning:
- Whether using a sponge or your fingertips, gently press or pat another layer of tinted SPF moisturiser in. Rubbing can disturb both your make-up and your sunscreen layer.
- If you are wearing mineral make-up with built-in sunscreen, simply apply another layer on top
- Use an SPF mist that has been formulated for use over make-up.
- Focus on the areas that get the most sun exposure - the nose, forehead, cheeks, and chin - but make sure you still reapply everywhere that’s exposed to the sun.
- If re-applying make-up over sunscreen, make sure to wait for your SPF to fully absorb.
- Carry your SPF with you for on-the-go-application. We recommend our 30ml Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30.
Scent Free Sun Cream - SPF30 30ml
Protect sensitive skin on the go with this trial-size SPF30 sun cream£9.00
View our range of natural, organic sunscreen
Don’t forget to remove your make-up and sunscreen
At the end of the day, sweep away your make-up and sunscreen with one of our beautifully gentle, natural make-up removers.
Instead of using harsh ingredients like ethyl alcohol that can leave skin feeling sensitive and stripped, they deeply purify whilst maintaining skin comfort.
Our favourite all-rounder for make-up removal is our Gentle Cleanse & Make-up Remover. This pioneering organic cream cleanser effortlessly lifts away the day to leave skin feeling fresh, clean and comfortable.
Gentle Cleanse & Make-Up Remover 150ml
Soft, clean skin starts with our bestselling cleanser£29.00
Would you like help choosing the right sunscreen or tinted SPF moisturiser for your skin? Our friendly UK customer care team is happy to help with any questions about ingredients and can be contacted on 01403 740350
REVIEWED BY CHARLOTTE, FOUNDER OF GREEN PEOPLE
This blog post has been reviewed by Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, who has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry.
A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People’s Choice in the 2023 list of Who’s Who in Natural Beauty.
A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible ‘Naturally Gorgeous’. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
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