Best Overall Sunscreen for Face
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40
Is this the platonic ideal of a facial sunscreen? We’d make the argument that yes, this is the sunscreen that all others aspire to be and not just because we’ve been wearing it ourselves for years, but also because we have never met a single person who didn’t like it enough to wear it every day. Basically, it all comes down to the formula. Where other sunscreens are goopy and oily, this is a clear gel formula. Where other sunscreens take forever to rub into your face and may still leave a white cast behind, this distributes over your skin with ease and sinks in quickly without leaving anything behind whatsoever. Where other sunscreens can leave your face looking oily or shiny, the matte finish of this sunscreen helps to smooth and blur imperfections, leaving you looking slightly airbrushed.
This sunscreen is such a genuine pleasure to use, we actually look forward to applying it every day. But there are two downsides. First, the bottle is small, so if you get down to price per use, it can be on the expensive side. Second, because it’s not water resistant, it can slide down into your eyes as the day progresses, particularly if you have oily skin or are on the sweatier side. Frankly, we find that as a daily sunscreen, that slide is tolerable and minimal. However, it also means that we wouldn’t recommend using this one for an outdoor workout or something equally sweaty (and that goes double if you have sensitive eyes). For us, neither of those two things take away from how great this sunscreen is overall and how much we love to use it.
Read more: Best Sunscreens for Oily Skin
SPF Level40MIneral vs. ChemicalChemicalKey IngredientsAvobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocryleneFormatGelSkin TypeAll
Best Mineral Face Sunscreen
Vacation Shake Shake SPF 50 Mineral Milk Face Sunscreen
Cons
Does leave a slight sheen
There are a few reasons you may want to use mineral sunscreen, namely if you have sensitive skin. Mineral sunscreens sit on top of skin and actively reflect UV rays as opposed to chemical sunscreens which sink into skin and disperse UV rays in the form of heat. Since they don’t actually sink into skin, mineral screens are good for sensitive skin, but it’s also what creates that dreaded white cast that’s left behind on your skin. And because of the nature of mineral screens, that white cast is pretty much impossible to avoid. The good ones, however, minimize it. And this one is one of the best we’ve found at doing just that.
Because of the innovative ZincWater ingredient that this sunscreen utilizes, the formula is watery and thin, allowing it to smooth over your skin in a sheer layer without feeling greasy or oily. Yes, there is a cast, but it’s so miniscule chances are you won’t even notice it (we didn’t). In fact, it really just comes off as a slight dewy glow, instead of a goopy white mess. For a streak-free application, just make sure you shake the bottle before pouring the liquid into your hand to make sure all the components are mixed effectively. Overall, it’s the closest thing we’ve found to a fool-proof mineral sunscreen that’s light enough to wear every day, but effective enough to give you the sun protection you need.
SPF Level50MIneral vs. ChemicalMineralKey IngredientsZinc oxideFormatLiquidSkin TypeAll
Best Tinted Facial Sunscreen
EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Face Sunscreen
ConsExpensive for the size of the bottle
One way to get around the white cast problem that most sunscreens have is to go for a tinted version. To the uninitiated, tinted sunscreens can seem scary because they may get a little close to the tinted moisturizer and/or makeup category (which isn’t a bad thing, for the record). However, in practice, a tinted sunscreen is not going to make you look like you’re wearing a face full of foundation. The subtle tint used in these products (usually mineral sunscreens) is to minimize the white cast that’s left behind and improve how well it blends into your skin. This tinted sunscreen is one of our favorites–and the one we reach for over and over – because it features just the right amount of tint (enough to help blend, but not enough to change the tone of your skin).
However, not all tints are created equal and some tints are better suited for certain skin colors. That’s another reason this is our favorite tinted screen – it comes in two different tint options which cover essentially the entire Fitzpatrick scale, so no matter what skin color you have, one of these tints will work on it (and leave no obvious residue or color behind). The base formula is the same for both tints and it’s a highly moisturizing, nourishing formula that’s laced with niacinamide to help reduce redness in your skin and help it stay hydrated. Additionally, since it’s a mineral-chemical hybrid formula, it’s suitable for all skin types, even very dry or acne-prone.
Read more: Best Sunscreens for Acne-Prone Skin
SPF Level46MIneral vs. ChemicalBothKey IngredientsZinc oxide, octinoxateFormatLotionSkin TypeAll
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Best Lightweight Facial Sunscreen
Paula s Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50
Dermatologists are fond of saying that the best sunscreen for you is the one you can wear every day and it’s true. Your sunscreen isn’t going to do you any good if it’s just sitting in your medicine cabinet. One of the biggest hurdles men, including us, have when using sunscreen is the heavy texture and one way around that is to switch to a fluid like this. The best thing about this sunscreen is that it somehow packs a serious sun protective factor (50!) into a thin, milky-watery texture that instantly sinks into your skin without leaving any film behind. And since it utilizes chemical sunscreens, it doesn’t sit on top of your skin or feel greasy in any way.
It doesn’t leave a white cast either, but it’s not a matte finish. Instead, it leaves behind a slight sheen which for some, may take some getting used to, but it’s a small compromise in the grand scheme of things for a sunscreen this lightweight and this easy to wear. On top of all of that, the hydrating formula is packed with plant extracts that help to reduce redness, soothe skin and offer antioxidant protection against environmental damage. It’s not as hydrating as your moisturizer (so we would still recommend using both), but you can’t argue with the added benefits this sunscreen brings to your skin beyond just protecting it from UV rays.
SPF Level50MIneral vs. ChemicalChemicalKey IngredientsAvobenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, octocryleneFormatLiquidSkin TypeAll
Best Chemical Face Sunscreen
Bioré UV Aqua Rich SPF 50
ConsSome may find the finish sticky
This incredibly popular sunscreen has been the number one selling sunscreen in Japan for years thanks to its watery gel texture that leaves behind no white cast any skin tone and instead leaves skin feeling and looking hydrated and dewy. But here’s the thing: it couldn’t be sold in the United States because the UV screens used in the original Japanese formula are not approved by the FDA. Things have changed. Biore reformulated this sunscreen to keep everything that’s most popular about the original but using FDA-approved chemical sunscreens so now we can enjoy the benefits of this sunscreen stateside as well.
Have we used the original Japanese formula? Yes. Can we tell a difference between the original and this new US-friendly one? No. Even with these new sunscreens included in the formula, this is some of the best facial sunscreen you can possibly find. The cooling gel texture feels ultra-hydrating on your skin – so much that you may even be able to skip your moisturizer – and uses hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day. The non-greasy formula is also non-comedogenic and leaves your skin with a slight dewy sheen, but in a healthy way, not a greasy way. The formula isn’t technically water resistant (so you may want to choose another one for the pool or beach), but we found that even after a day of normal sweating, it didn’t melt or sting our eyes, which is honestly the biggest test of all for a daily facial sunscreen.
SPF Level50MIneral vs. ChemicalChemicalKey IngredientsAvobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocryleneFormatLotionSkin TypeAll
Best For Sensitive Skin
Skinceuticals Clear Daily Soothing UV Defense
ConsExpensive compared to other sunscreens
Yes, generally mineral sunscreens are recommended for sensitive skin not only because they sit on top and don’t sink it, but also because zinc has been shown to have a soothing effect on skin. However, the downside to that is if you’re often stuck with sunscreens that leave a white cast and make your skin feel greasy and heavy. This sensitive-skin friendly formula solved that using both chemical and physical sunscreens (so you have less of each) to protect skin from UV rays. That way you get the best of both worlds – sun protection that reduces the chance of irritation and a minimal white cast. We can confirm that, while there is always going to be a bit of a cast with a mineral screen, this one is so minimal we could barely see it.
In addition to the sunscreens itself, this high-level formula goes above and beyond to empower your skin. Inside the lotion there is moisturizing glycerin, redness-reducing bisabolol, palmitoyl tripeptide-8 to reduce sensitivity and irritation and more to make this white would be a pretty damn good moisturizer on its own, even without the sunscreen component. Depending on your skin’s hydration, you may even be able to use this in place of your moisturizer to cover two steps at once (those with dry skin, however, should still double up).
SPF Level50MIneral vs. ChemicalBothKey IngredientsZinc oxide, homosalate, bisbololFormatLotionSkin TypeAll
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Best Anti-Aging Facial Sunscreen
Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Ultralight Emulsion SPF 50
ConsVery expensive compared to similar sunscreens
If we were judging sunscreens based purely on their sun protection, this would still be at the top of our list because it’s hard to find a 100% mineral sunscreen that is this easy to wear. While it still leaves a slight white cast, just because of the nature of mineral sunscreen, we found that it’s still subtle enough that we barely noticed it during the day. It’s a liquidy “emulsion” texture, which means it’s milkier than your traditional lotion, and thus smooths over skin more easily and doesn’t leave an oily or greasy film over your skin. It might be slightly aggressive for some people to wear daily, but we found that in terms of mineral sunscreens, it’s one that we were able to tolerate most on a daily basis.
But we’re not just judging these sunscreens on sun protection because frankly that’s only part of why you would choose a sunscreen for your face. This screen also contains additional ingredients that help with the overall health of your skin, especially if you’re concerned with anti-aging. It’s rich in antioxidant Vitamin E, which helps to prevent future sun damage and aging from environmental factors, but it also has DNA repairosomes which actually help to repair existing sun damage. That’s something you won’t find in any other sunscreens on this list and is especially welcome if you already have signs of sun damage and UV-related skin aging, like dark spots. It truly is a complete anti-aging and sun protecting product that targets the past, present and future of your face.
SPF Level50MIneral vs. ChemicalMineralKey IngredientsZinc oxide, DNA repairosomesFormatEmulsionSkin TypeAll
Best Moisturizer with SPF
Neutrogena Hydro Boost With SPF 50
ConsMay sting sensitive eyes
The thing about moisturizers with sunscreen is that they’re often more focused on the moisturizing part and go too light on the sunscreen part, falling short of the recommended SPF 30 benchmark. That’s why we usually gravitate toward hydrating sunscreens instead of moisturizer/sunscreen hybrids. However, this addition to the popular Neutrogena Hydro Boost range (one of our personal favorites) deserves a shout out because it’s one of the few moisturizers with sunscreens that we actually like and use.
One of the reasons we love it so much is that you actually forget that it even contains sunscreen. If you still have a problem finding a sunscreen you can tolerate and that you enjoy applying, we guarantee that this one is for you because, well, it doesn’t feel like sunscreen at all. The lightweight gel formula sinks into your skin immediately (some might say your skin drinks it up) and is packed with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants that help to nourish, hydrate and protect your skin the way all the best moisturizers do. Add to that broad-spectrum SPF 50, plus no added fragrance, and you have an all-around winner in our book.
SPF Level50MIneral vs. ChemicalChemicalKey IngredientsAvobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocryleneFormatGelSkin TypeAll
Best Drugstore Facial Sunscreen
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion With SPF 30
ConsMay leave a slight white cast on some skin tones
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again–the best facial sunscreens do more than just protect your face from UV rays. Sure, that’s the most important thing they can do (and really their only job when it comes down to it), but if you’re going to put something on your face, you want it to really go to work. That’s why we love this product. It’s packs a serious skincare punch into a budget-friendly does-it-all package. Of course it contains the recommended SPF 30 for sun protection, which it gets from both mineral and chemical screens, allowing you the different kinds of protection that both offer.
But it goes beyond that as well. We consider this a moisturizing sunscreen because if you took out the SPF, it would still be a pretty damn good moisturizer. Developed with sensitive skin in mind, this oil-free formula is non-comedogenic (it won’t clog pores) and gentle on your skin. It’s packed with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide for hydration, but also contains three essential ceramides which help to strengthen your skin’s natural barrier and bolster protection from outside aggressors that could cause damage. On top of that, the non-greasy finish doesn’t leave your skin looking shiny or feeling slick, even with the addition of sunscreen. It’s the perfect go-to morning product.
SPF Level30MIneral vs. ChemicalBothKey IngredientsHomosalate, meradimate, octinoxate, octocrylene, zinc oxideFormatLotionSkin TypeAll
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Best Facial Sunscreen Mist
Coola Face Mist SPF 50
ConsNeed to make sure you apply enough for adequate protection
If we’re being honest, one of our biggest pet peeves about sunscreen is reapplying. Yes, putting it on in the first place is your first, and most important, step, but it’s recommended to reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially if you’re outside. That boils down to a lot of time spent throughout the day reapplying your sunscreen. Remembering to slather on some lotion every couple of hours can be a chore, which is why we love this mist. Not only does this cooling and hydrating mist instantly chill out your skin, but it also is packed with SPF 50 so you don’t have to worry about slathering on more lotion if you’re already sweaty.
One caveat here: since it’s a mist, it can be hard to tell whether you’re applying enough of the stuff for adequate protection. We usually spray it generously, probably more than you’d think you need, and then gently rub it into our faces so we make sure we’re not missing any spots. That said, even with the generous helping, it’s a much more pleasant experience than reapplying any lotion or cream. The mostly-organic formula is supercharged with aloe and coconut water to instantly cool and hydrate your skin, leaving it feeling calmed and moisturized. There is a slight scent, but it goes away quickly and leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth, but not overly perfumed. We recommend keeping a bottle of this in every bag you own so you never leave home without it.
SPF Level50MIneral vs. ChemicalChemicalKey IngredientsAvobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocryleneFormatMistSkin TypeAll
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