9 Best Primers With SPF That Don't Pill, According to Dermatologists & Editors
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Primers are great for seamlessly smoothing foundation, but it doesn’t hurt to get extra sun protection with the best primers with SPF, especially as we head into the warm weather months. On its own they don't have enough UV/UVB protection but layered on with your go-to facial sunscreen and you can get that gorgeous, glowy finish.
Below, we chatted with dermatologists and makeup artists who shared their favorite SPF primers, including ones that I rely on time and time again. Our top pick overall is Lancôme Supra Screen Invisible Serum Sunscreen SPF 50+, because of its high SPF, soothing formula, and hydrating feel without feeling greasy. We also found drugstore picks, options for deep skin tones, oily-prone complexions, and more.
The best primers with SPF, at a glance
- Best Overall: Lancôme Supra Screen Invisible Serum Sunscreen SPF 50+, $48
- Best Drugstore: NYX Professional Makeup Blur Screen SPF 30 Blurring Makeup Primer, $14
- Best for Mature Skin: Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 50, $55
- Best for Deep Skin Tones: Black Girl Sunscreen Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30, $19
- Best for Oily Skin: Kosas DreamBeam Silicone-Free Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40 with Ceramides and Peptides, $40
How we picked the best primers with SPF
How we tested
We tested SPF primers by looking at their level of SPF, texture, and how well they kept our makeup in place during the day (for up to twelve hours of wear). We went for primers that had a minimum of SPF 30, ones with lightweight formulas (gel-like or smoothing texture were our favorites). Our testers of a variety of skin types, including mature skin wore them to work, run errands, and date nights and evaluated if they pilled, stayed in place, and kept makeup patch-free.
Meet the experts
- Michele Green, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC
- Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, board certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon.
- Kasey Spickard, a celebrity makeup artist based in NYC
- Shani Gailbreath, a professional makeup artist in Nashville
Best Overall: Lancôme Supra Screen Invisible Serum Sunscreen SPF 50+
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Jenifer Calle testing Lancôme Supra Screen Invisible Serum Sunscreen SPF 50+
This multitasking primer provides broad spectrum UV protection and preps the skin for makeup application. It contains antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E to brighten and minimize discoloration. The hyaluronic acid hydrates so you're left with a plump base. Reviewers say it’s lightweight, quick to absorb, and not at all greasy—though perfectly capable of quenching dry skin to create a smooth canvas for foundation and other makeup.
“This primer was a dream to layer on. It absorbs and blends easily with my makeup, gives me a radiant finish, and has a smoothing effect. I have oily, combination skin and this didn’t feel too heavy. It sits beautifully and makes my foundation look flawless,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle.
SPF: 50+ / Type: Chemical / Key Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
- Pros: Lightweight; absorbs quickly; hydrating; high SPF; blurs pores
- Cons: Pricey
Best Drugstore: NYX Professional Makeup Blur Screen Blurring Makeup Primer (SPF 30)
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing NYX Professional Makeup Blurscreen SPF 30 Primer
This drugstore buy is getting a lot of attention on TikTok, and for good reason. Though you can find it at the drugstore, it works just as hard—if not harder—than other high-end formulas we’ve vetted. It hydrates, blurs imperfections, grips makeup, and protects skin with SPF 30. “This primer has the perfect Goldilocks consistency. It’s not too runny, but not too thick,” says Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley. “It truly glides on like butter, but isn’t at all greasy—just perfectly matte and ever-so-slightly tacky for the hold you want.” As a nice bonus, the blurring primer has a hint of tropical smell (from the coconut juice and cactus flower extract) that’s truly divine.
Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary is also a massive fan of this blurring primer. It kept her makeup in place from a Saturday morning out and about, well into the evening. “I wore this primer on a day spent gallivanting around NYC hopping from Central Park, to a nearby friend’s roof, to a few bars on an unusually warm spring day. My makeup didn’t move the entire time, and although I spent a good amount of time in the sun, my skin never felt sensitive or overly hot. I didn’t get a touch of burn, either, and will definitely be incorporating this pick into my makeup routine moving forward (especially in summertime).”
SPF: 30 / Type: Chemical / Key Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, silica
- Pros: Non-greasy, no white cast
- Cons: Takes a minute to dry down, might pill a bit
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Best Lightweight Primer With SPF: e.l.f. Suntouchable Invisible Sunscreen (SPF 35)
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Nykia Spradley testing e.l.f. Cosmetics Suntouchable! Invisible Sunscreen SPF 35
Another Glamour editor-favorite that doubles as the perfect primer with SPF, according to Glamour’s Calle. She tells us it’s lightweight and absorbs almost instantly—perfect for her combination skin. And 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.
Another one of our testers loved it too. “The wrong sunscreen under makeup can make my skin look greasy pretty quickly. This one does the opposite. The mousse-y 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.”“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,” says Glamour contributor Nykia Spradley.
SPF: 35 / Type: Chemical / Key Ingredients: Avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate
- Pros: Completely clear gel formula; lightweight; absorbs quickly; leaves a glow
- Cons: Small bottle
Best Glowy Primer: Supergoop! Glowscreen Sunscreen with Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide (SPF 40)
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40 Sunscreen with Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide
“I personally love all of Supergoop’s suncare products,” says Kasey Spickard, a celebrity makeup artist based in NYC. “And especially this one. It soaks into the skin and gives a nice radiant base for makeup while also protecting the skin!” It also has a nice glowy tint that gives your skin a sun-kissed finish, just like a face tanner would.
“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 put on top, as if I’d spent the last week at the beach,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
SPF: 40 / Type: Chemical / Key Ingredients: Avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, sea lavender, cocoa peptides
- Pros: Light tint; lightweight; hydrating; dewy finish; higher SPF
- Cons: Chemical sunscreen may irritate those with sensitive skin
Best for Deep Skin Tones: Black Girl Sunscreen Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion (SPF 30)
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Nykia Spradley testing Face & Body Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
Is it technically labeled a primer? Well, no, it is not. But Shani Gailbreath, a professional makeup artist in Nashville says Black Girl Sunscreen is a worthy option for prepping your face, particularly for those with darker skin tones. “It’s made to wear under makeup and provides a matte finish if you get oily easily or need a nonglowy look,” she says. You know what that means: It’s great for the oily and acne-prone skin, too. The ultra-sheer formula leaves no white residue behind, yet still protects with broad-spectrum SPF 30—exactly what the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends.
“This feels a lot like a good moisturizer that happens to also have SPF in it,” says Spradley. She adds that the cream comes out white but turns clear without a lot of rubbing needed. “There’s also a newer version that’s vanilla-scented, which I love since I don’t really like the smell of traditional sunscreens.”
SPF: 30 / Type: Chemical / Key Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, avocado oil, jojoba seed oil
- Pros: Sheer and lightweight; doesn’t leave a white cast; adequate SPF; suitable for oily and acne-prone skin
- Cons: Chemical sunscreen may not be as suitable for sensitive skin
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Best for Mature Skin: Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer Broad Spectrum (SPF 50)
- Courtesy of brand
- Original image of Charlotte Twine testing the Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer Broad Spectrum (SPF 50)
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. “It contains SPF 50 to provide 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 anti-aging benefits? Color us impressed.
“This pick is the fastest-absorbing face sunscreen that I’ve ever used,” says Glamour contributor Charlotte Twine. “I’m naturally kind of sweaty and have hot flashes on the regular, and have been known to sweat in the refrigerated section of Costco (not joking). So I’m picky about products with SPF, as they tend to be sticky and don’t absorb very quickly. Not only did this product absorb super quickly, 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 and 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.”
SPF: 50 / Type: Chemical / Key Ingredients: Octinoxate, octisalate, avobenzone, octocrylene, hyaluronic acid
- Pros: High SPF; hydrating; smoothing; lightweight
- Cons: More expensive than most
Best for Oily Skin: Kosas DreamBeam Silicone-Free Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40 with Ceramides and Peptides
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Kosas DreamBeam Silicone-Free Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40 with Ceramides and Peptides
This silky-smooth sunscreen face primer is the perfect base for makeup if you’re looking for a satin, soft-matte finish—thanks to its blend of allantoin and peptides. This one also contains hyaluronic acid that keeps skin hydrated and fresh all day long.
“I’m kind of obsessed with the texture of this sunscreen,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary. “It has a super silky, velvety texture that doesn’t leave behind a film or residue. It’s never pilled in the times I’ve used it over the past year, and it always plays well with my makeup, whether I’m using tinted moisturizer or foundation. The blend of peptides and hyaluronic acid definitely makes a difference in my fine lines too—my skin looks more even-textured, toned, and fresh every time I use it.”
SPF: 40 / Type: Mineral / Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, allantoin, hyaluronic acid
- Pros: Velvety texture similar to regular primers, leaves skin silky smooth
- Cons: May pill if you use too much
Best Korean Primer: Innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Jenifer Calle testing Innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45
For a mineral sunscreen option that’s a Korean beauty favorite amongst editors and Glamour testers, look to this green-tinted sunscreen. It has hyaluronic acid and cica to deeply hydrate and reduce redness.
“Although technically this is a Korean sunscreen and not a primer it’s great as a base. If you have redness or rosacea, this sensitive skin-friendly sunscreen can help calm and reduce the appearance of red complexions,” says Glamour’s Calle.
SPF: 45 / Type: Mineral / Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, sodium hyaluronate, niacinamide
- Pros: Green tint cancels out redness and is mattifying, making this a great pick for acne-prone skin
- Cons: A bit drying
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Best for Combination Skin: Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50 Facial Sunscreen Moisturizer and Primer
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50 Facial Sunscreen Moisturizer and Primer
If you deal with moody, combination skin that tends to get oily in spots and flakey in others, this sunscreen moisturizer will help keep your makeup matte, shine-free and hydrated. It has SPF 50, plus squalane and pentavitin, which helps the skin barrier retain moisture.
“This sunscreen made my skin look and feel plumper than ever,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary. “It’s a superlightweight formula that isn’t sticky or greasy, instead it glides right onto the skin and sinks in. My skin also looks very bouncy after I use this one, and my makeup clings onto it in a snap. It doesn’t feel overly drying or strip my skin either. Overall 10/10 experience and I’ll definitely be using this well into summer.”
SPF: 50 / Type: Chemical / Key Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, pentativin, squalane
- Pros: High SPF, lightweight texture, doesn’t pill
- Cons: Pricey
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Your primers with SPF questions, answered
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 enough 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 that it’s 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 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 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, to help even out skin texture, tone, look, and to help the skin retain moisture.
