We have tested many primers and sunscreens over the years, and have finally found some that we love. These face sunscreens are also makeup primers, so you don’t have to use a separate primer before putting on your makeup. All the ones I have listed in this article are ones I put on after washing my face and wear them under my daily foundation. They are also cruelty free!

Read on to learn about our favorite makeup primer sunscreens we think you’d be happy to add to your daily routine.

What Is a Primer?

A makeup primer acts like gesso on a canvas. When I was in college, I learned to prime a muslin covered wood frame with gesso, which is basically a white layer of paint that prevents the painted design from soaking into the muslin, or canvas, too much. You also often will prime a wall in your home with a layer of white paint so the pigmented paint won’t soak into the drywall.

Primer for your face acts the same. It helps prevent it from soaking into your pores and basically prevent it from disappearing. It can also help keep makeup on your skin. A sunscreen will help protect your skin from harsh sunlight, which I definitely have to watch out for as I age. Sunspots, wrinkles and skin cancer are all things that can affect every human if you don’t take the proper precautions.

Wear sunscreen daily and when swimming! I have it on for sure in my 1 minute video below, which shows you how to get in a good workout in a pool. See it below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:

According to John Hopkins Medicine, you should choose a higher SPF (Sun Protection Factor) if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Even if you don’t spend a lot of time outdoors, daily sunscreen is still important. Read more about it on their website by clicking here. The article can help you decide which SPF level is best for you. You can also learn more about mineral sunscreens vs. chemical sunscreens in this article from USA Today. Education is key in keeping you healthy!

See my one minute video tutorial of my favorite face sunscreens below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:

When you find products that marry a primer and a sunscreen that keeps your makeup on, doesn’t run into your eyes and helps protect your skin, you keep them around. I’ve been testing several primer sunscreens for a while now (along with my husband because every gender should take care of their skin) and here are some of our favorites at different SPF levels.

1--SPF 50: Hello Sunshine by it Cosmetics

I’m a huge fan of it Cosmetics (and have been for many years) and when they introduced their Hello Sunshine Invisible Hydrating Serum Sunscreen to the market, I was blessed to have BzzAgent send me a tube to try for free.

I tested it for two weeks and it kept my skin from getting freckled (Southwest Florida sun is VERY strong, even in the month of April, when I tested this), it kept my makeup on all day, disappeared the minute I gently rubbed it onto my face, neck and chest, and will be added to my permanent daily routine.

It did not have very much scent; just very, very light. My husband commented that he liked how it smelled. It did not run into my eyes at all. I paired it with my daily it Cosmetics CC Cream (I use it as my daily foundation, which I apply after the sunscreen primer), which also has an SPF 50 and they both worked well together to protect my skin.

Buy Hello Sunshine from the following retailers:

·      it Cosmetics website (they have great sales!)

·      Sephora

·      Amazon

2—SPF 40: Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen

This primer sunscreen is my husband’s favorite daily sunscreen. It has very little scent, goes on completely clear and does exactly what it’s supposed to do: protect your skin from the sun. I have used it for years under my makeup and it locks it right on my combination skin (part oily and part dry).

My husband loves that it goes on clear and he definitely loves the fact that it stays where he puts it, even when he sweats. He has sensitive eyes, and says this one doesn’t irritate his eyes, as it doesn’t run into them at all.

We also buy Supergoop’s Play Everyday body lotion that is also a sunscreen. It is lightweight and helps keep our skin protected every day in the Sanibel Island very strong sunlight. We also love the Vacation brand of sunscreen too because it protects our bodies and smells like how I think summer smells….vacation-y and free.

Buy Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen from the following retailers:

·      Supergoop! website

·      Sephora

·      Amazon

3—SPF 30:  Live Tinted Hueguard 3-in-1 Mineral Sunscreen

In 2023, I saw the brand Live Tinted hitting the market in a big way. I was fascinated by their mineral face sunscreen because it was tinted a bit, which I thought would be good for people with darker pigmented skin. I reached out to them and asked me to send me some to try and they happily did.

It goes on my lighter skin completely clear, and I think it would do the same for many skin tones. It has zero scent (at least to my nose) and has never irritated my face. My makeup goes on perfect and stays the whole day too. Live Tinted also sent me their Huestick, which is a multi-use makeup stick and I absolutely love it. The brand is fun, effective and perfect for those that want to feel beautiful without their face feeling heavily made up.

Buy Live Tinted Hueguard Mineral Sunscreen from the following retailers:

• Live Tinted website

• Ulta

• Amazon

If you loved this article, we know you’ll love this one too: How To Create Natural Looking Faux Freckles

Carolyn J. (C.J.) Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.