Best SPF Sticks Under $25 to Reapply Over Makeup, Tested

I’ve tested 47 sunscreens in the past year, and most of them failed the same test: midday reapplication over makeup on a hot, humid day. They either smeared foundation into streaks, pilled on contact, or left a waxy film that made skin look greasy. I know you’ve heard the promise of “reapply without ruining your face” before—here’s what actually works, what doesn’t, and the shortcuts I use on real commutes and long shoot days.

Why Most SPF Sticks Fail Over Makeup

SPF sticks are brilliant in theory—solid, portable, mess-free. The failure point is friction and finish. Many sticks are heavy on waxes that tug, which lifts your base and creates patchiness around the nose and mouth. Others rely on oily emollients that sit on top, leaving an obvious sheen and softening your makeup’s grip. Add dimethicone-heavy formulas onto a water-based foundation and you get instant pilling. Fragrance near the eyes? That’s a watery sting waiting to happen.

What actually cooperates with makeup: thin, clear sticks that use lightweight esters and silica to reduce drag, and that set to a soft finish instead of an oily film. The other half of the equation is your morning base. If your first layer is smooth and not greasy, touch-ups glide. Two that consistently make reapplication easier: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++ by Beauty of Joseon and COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++ by COSRX. Both are invisible, cushy, and leave zero white cast. If you want glow without glitter that still plays well with sticks, Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40 by Supergoop! gives a pearlescent base that reads healthy—not oily—under foundation.

The Best Under-$25 SPF Sticks (and Smart Pairings)

I won’t waste your time listing a dozen lookalikes. Here’s the blueprint for a good under-$25 stick: clear filters (no white cast), minimal fragrance, a dome-shaped tip to reduce drag, a silky slip that sets down (not glossy), and a cap that actually locks so it doesn’t coat your bag. If your skin is oily, look for silica or a soft-matte finish. If you’re dry, a balm-gel hybrid that feels cushy—without leaving a waxy film—will be kinder to texture.

Now, the pairings that make those sticks behave. Use one of these as your morning base so your touch-ups don’t wreck your makeup:

• Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++ by Beauty of Joseon: Cushy gel-cream that disappears on contact—no white cast, no sting. Best for normal to combination skin that wants a dewy but controlled finish. Caveat: if you’re very oily, spot-powder the T-zone after application.
• COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++ by COSRX: Lightweight, soothing, and surprisingly makeup-friendly for the price. Best for sensitive or dry-leaning skin that hates heavy sunscreens. Caveat: the finish is soft and hydrated—blot before a stick touch-up if you’re shiny.
• Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40 by Supergoop!: A pearlescent SPF-primer when you want lit-from-within skin. Best under sheer foundations or solo on good-skin days. Caveat: too much can read overly glowy on an oily T-zone—keep it to high points or mix with your regular SPF.
• Laneige Glowy Makeup Serum by Laneige: Not an SPF, but a clever serum-primer that gives grip and dew without slip. Best under light coverage or when you need makeup to last through touch-ups. Caveat: if you’re very textured, keep it away from areas with larger pores—use only on the perimeter.
• Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion EX by Sulwhasoo: A luxe cushion to refresh coverage after SPF reapplication. Best for normal to dry skin that wants a luminous, refined finish. Caveat: light-to-medium coverage; if you prefer matte, set lightly with a micro-fine powder.

How to Reapply SPF Over Makeup Without Ruining It

Here’s the exact method that keeps my base intact in summer heat and studio lights:

1) Blot strategically. Press a thin blotting sheet onto the T-zone and sides of the nose. Don’t rub. You’re removing surface oil so the stick grips, not stripping your base.

2) Rehydrate the surface. One fine mist of an alcohol-free setting spray softens makeup just enough to prevent drag. If you’re dry, skip the blotting and do two light mists. Wait 10 seconds.

3) Apply the stick in short passes. Glide from center of forehead to temples, down the nose bridge, across each cheek, and along the jaw. Use crosshatch strokes—up then across—so you don’t miss planes of the face. Go extra-gentle around nostrils and the under-eye (outer half only).

4) Press, don’t smear. Take a clean, dry cushion puff or sponge and roll-press over the areas you applied. This fuses the SPF with your base instead of moving it.

5) Optional coverage refresh. If you want polish back, tap a whisper of Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion EX by Sulwhasoo over the center of the face only. Two taps in the compact per zone is plenty.

6) Control shine, don’t mattify to death. Press a micro-fine translucent powder just on the sides of the nose and between the brows. Leave cheekbones and temples with a natural sheen so skin looks alive—not chalked over.

7) Timing. Aim for every 2–3 hours if you’re outdoors; if you’re mostly inside, a mid-afternoon touch-up is realistic. If you started with Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++ by Beauty of Joseon or COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++ by COSRX, you’ll need fewer passes to get an even layer because the surface stays smooth.

Common SPF Stick Mistakes to Stop Making

– One swipe and done. You need overlapping passes to hit every angle; cheeks, temples, nose sides, and jawline get missed the most.

– Applying over powder buildup. If you’re powdered, mist once to melt the top layer before the stick; otherwise, you’ll get skip marks and patchiness.

– Using glossy balm sticks on an oily T-zone. They look beautiful in the car, then slide by noon. Choose a soft-matte or silica-infused stick for the center of the face.

– Ignoring edges. Hairline, ears, and the upper lip are sunburn magnets. Glide the stick to the hairline, then angle it to catch the ear rims without coating your hair.

– Not sanitizing the stick. After a sweaty day, swipe the top on a tissue to remove buildup, then spritz with 70% alcohol and let it dry before capping.

– Overloading glow on glow. If you used Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40 by Supergoop! in the morning, skip any dewy-finishing sticks and go for a clear, soft-set formula to avoid looking greasy.

Final Verdict: What to Buy and How to Use It

If you want the most makeup-friendly, invisible base that makes stick reapplication smooth, start with Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++ by Beauty of Joseon. If you prefer a comforting, soothing feel at a true budget price, choose COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++ by COSRX. If you love a healthy, editorial glow under sheer coverage, work Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40 by Supergoop! into high points or mix with your SPF.

For touch-ups, pick a clear, fragrance-light SPF stick under $25 that glides without tugging and sets to a soft finish. Keep a clean puff in your compact and a packet of blotting papers. Reapply with short strokes, press to fuse, then refresh coverage with Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion EX by Sulwhasoo only where needed. If makeup longevity is your pain point, layer Laneige Glowy Makeup Serum by Laneige under your foundation in the morning for grip that survives multiple SPF passes.

Bottom line: your shortcut is the right base plus a low-drag stick and a press-first technique. This combo protects, keeps texture smooth, and preserves that “naturally good” finish—no mess, no midday meltdown.

This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you shop through our links.