Whether you’re beating your face to the gods or keeping it cute and minimal, one thing that should always be part of your daily routine is sunscreen. Not just that single swipe under your foundation in the morning, but reapplying SPF throughout the day, even when you’re already serving a full glam look.
If you’ve ever worried about how to reapply sunscreen without ruining your makeup, you’re not alone. That’s exactly where SPF sprays come in. These lightweight mists are designed to protect your skin and preserve your beat.
- Best for Hot, Humid Days: Tanologist Super Shield Face Mist SPF 50
- Best for Setting Makeup and Reapplication: E.L.F. SKIN Suntouchable All Set SPF 45
- Best for Hydration and a Dewy Finish: Sunglaze Sheer Setting Mist SPF 50
- Best for Pollution Protection and Midday Pick-Me-Up: Supergoop (Re)setting Refreshing Mist SPF 40
- Best for Sensitive or Reactive Skin: Sun Bum SPF 45 Sunscreen Face Mist
Best SPF Sprays to Layer Over Makeup
Best for Hot, Humid Days
This ultra-fine continuous mist offers broad-spectrum SPF 50 and a burst of cooling refreshment. Perfect for hot days and quick touch-ups. Designed to hydrate and protect, it features Tanologist’s Tri-Tech Antioxidant Technology to fight off free radicals and pollution. If you’re looking for a glow-up and a cool-down, this one’s for you
Best for Setting Makeup and Reapplication
Think of this as your setting spray and sunblock in one. This clear mist is fragrance-free, non-greasy, and packed with skin-loving ingredients like watermelon extract and prickly pear oil. It locks in your makeup while giving you SPF 45 coverage.
Best for Hydration and a Dewy Finish
If you’re looking for that glass-skin glow, his mist is it. With hyaluronic and polyglutamic acids, it hydrates and protects at the same time. The ultra-sheer formula leaves skin dewy without feeling sticky, and the soft melon scent gives total island vibes.
Best for Pollution Protection and Midday Pick-Me-Up
This cult-fave delivers a weightless mist that not only adds SPF 40 protection, but also revives tired makeup and shields skin from pollution. It’s infused with a subtle rosemary-mint aroma that makes midday reapplication feel more like a spa moment.
Best for Sensitive or Reactive Skin
Lightweight, sheer, and perfect for everyday wear, this spray is all about easy, breezy protection. It’s water-resistant, cruelty-free, and formulated with witch hazel for anti-inflammatory support—so it calms skin while keeping it protected.
Why Do You Need to Reapply SPF?
Sunscreen isn’t a one-and-done deal. After about two hours, that initial layer starts to lose effectiveness, especially if you’re outdoors, sweating, or sitting in direct sunlight. For Black women, protecting your skin from sun damage means more than preventing sunburn, it’s about avoiding hyperpigmentation, slowing signs of aging, and keeping our glow radiant and even.
How to Reapply Sunscreen Over Makeup
Reapplying sunscreen over makeup might sound intimidating, but with the right spray, it’s refreshingly simple. Start by giving your SPF mist a good shake to activate the formula. Then, hold the bottle at arm’s length and close your eyes before spritzing in an “X” and “T” formation to evenly cover your face. There’s no need to pat or rub it in. Just let it air-dry and go. This technique ensures your makeup stays intact while your skin stays protected. For the best defense, make it a habit to reapply every two hours, especially when you’re spending time outdoors, driving, or even sitting near a sunny window.
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