Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum
Best facial sunscreen for acne-prone skin
The hot summer days are here, and you better not be missing out on your sunscreen. If you’re skipping sunscreen because you don’t want to slather a thick lotion on your face and deal with that oily skin feeling every day, I don’t blame you — but you don’t have to.
According to dermatologists at the American Academy of Dermatology and the Skin Cancer Foundation, the most important thing you can do to help slow down visible signs of aging and to protect sensitive skin is to wear sunscreen daily. And that doesn’t mean just using whatever sunscreen is the cheapest at your local drug store. You need to form a healthy skin barrier from the sun by choosing a sunscreen that suits your activities, complexion type (particularly if you have delicate or acne-prone skin) and skin care routines for the best protection and care.
There are hundreds of different formulas of facial sunscreen, and I personally tested the best sunscreen brands out there. Here are the best facial sunscreens out there right now.
How we chose the best facial sunscreen
I tested over 55 sunscreen products from about 50 different popular brands. I then narrowed it down to the best of the best. I looked at each products’ SPF levels, ingredients, feel and price. From there, I applied each product to my face and went into the sun to see how each felt and protected.
Each facial sunscreen was tested on my naturally acne-prone skin on top of my everyday moisturizer. Not every formula on this list will work for everyone. My goal is to give you a sense of the viscosity and scent of each product and how they feel on the skin.
Best face sunscreen of 2023
Despite its name, this sunscreen isn’t clear out of the pump. However, this mineral sunscreen rubs in without any white cast (a white film that titanium dioxide or zinc oxide can leave on the skin). It’s designed for those with acne, rosacea and hyperpigmentation and includes niacinamide (vitamin B3), an ingredient that can soothe inflammation and reduce redness.
Supergoop’s sunscreen formulas are meant to not feel like sunscreen at all. Unseen is a thick, clear gel that dries down to a soft matte finish, creating a great base for applying makeup over. Unseen is non-irritating, non-comedogenic, dermatologist-tested, fragrance-free and vegan, making it great for all skin types. And because it’s clear, it also works for any and all skin tones — other sunscreens can leave behind a white film or have a tint that’s too light for darker complexions.
The smell of Aveeno’s facial sunscreen is reminiscent of the typical sunscreen you’d grab when you head to the beach, albeit not as strong. However, the lotion is lightweight, sinks in nicely and leaves a soft, natural finish.
When it comes to mineral sunscreens, the active ingredient — zinc oxide — is sometimes hard to completely rub in and often leaves a white cast behind. Unrivaled Sun Serum is the complete opposite. The serum is easy to blend and feels hydrating on the skin. It even contains orange and coconut fruit extracts that are packed with amino acids and antioxidants. The formula is also vegan, cruelty-free and water-resistant for 40 minutes.
This sunscreen is for people who hate thick, pasty sunscreens on their skin. It has the look and feel of a facial moisturizer, blends in incredibly quickly and makes my skin feel nice. Honestly, I kept touching my face after it sank in because it felt remarkably soft.
Black Girl Sunscreen is a black-owned brand that caters specifically to women of color.
As someone with acne-prone skin, I have used and trusted Murad for years. The brand is dermatologist-developed and offers products that are friendly for acne-prone, sensitive and oily skin. If you have a similar skin type, you should consider Murad.
As with Murad, I am loyal to the La Roche-Posay brand. In fact, I have been using its Double Repair Face Moisturizer for years. It is dermatologist-tested, safe for sensitive skin, oil-free, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, allergy-tested, paraben-free and contains niacinamide (vitamin B3) and ceramide-3..
The Badger Active Mineral Sunscreen is the thickest sunscreen on this list, and for this reason it is the best waterproof facial sunscreen. The uncoated zinc oxide creates a solid barrier between your skin and the sun. It is water-resistant for 40 minutes. The sunscreen is unscented, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, water-free, reef-friendly and the package is made from recycled materials. It also contains organic sunflower seed oil, beeswax, vitamin E and sea buckthorn fruit extract to help keep the skin moisturized.
Isdin Photo Eryfotona Actinica is designed for actinic damage (skin that already has been damaged or changed by the sun), such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and reduced elasticity. It contains antioxidants and is water-resistant for 40 minutes. .
If you prefer a glowy, dewy finish instead of a matte finish for your primer, Supergoop’s Glow Screen is the one for you. It is very similar to Supergoop Unseen, except for the finish and consistency. Instead of a clear gel, the Glow Screen is more of a sheer liquid that adds some moisture and a glow, but without too much shimmer or glitter. It doesn’t feel heavy on the skin.
When it comes to getting your kids to put on sunscreen, sometimes it is easier to give them sunscreen in a twist tube. Coola’s sunstick travels well and applies to faces smoothly. It requires little to no work to rub it into your skin. .
Cay Skin recently appeared on my radar. Owned by supermodel and vitiligo spokesperson Winnie Harlow, Cay Skin offers products for all skin tones that don’t leave behind a white cast. Cay Skin’s Isle Glow Face Lotion contains sea moss, hydrating nectar, niacinamide and panthenol (vitamin B5). It is dermatologist-tested, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, vegan, cruelty-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free and silicone-free.
If you’re tired of lotions and thick SPF, there is another option. Powder sunscreen is on the rise, and Supergoop has added a powder option to its line of sun care. I also tested Supergoop’s (Glow)setting Powder, but I found Brush on Block to be the superior option. The powder is not too sparkly (unlike Supergoop), and it is similar to powder foundation.
The Glossier Invisible Shield sunscreen is similar to Supergoop Unseen. Both have similar consistencies and apply on the skin clear. However, the Glossier sunscreen feels more moisturizing on the skin. It applies very dewy and then seeps into the skin, bringing the hydration within..
Facial sunscreens for your skin type
No matter if you have oily or acne-prone skin, sensitive skin or dry skin on your face, the best sunscreen for your particular needs exists — and may even be on this list. Many of these formulas are from higher-end skin care brands, with a few drugstore finds as well. While I’m not saying you need to buy the more expensive options, if you do you’ll usually get a better formula that caters to your skin type, feels lightweight and blends well.
Dry skin: Use sunscreens that contain moisturizing ingredients including aloe, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, coconut water, sunflower oil or various fruit extracts. The sunscreen can be added on top of moisturizer or on its own, depending on how dry your skin is.
Oily skin: Steer clear of any sunscreen that is not oil-free. You don’t want to add to the overall oil. Look for sunscreens that say “non-comedogenic” on the bottle, meaning it won’t clog pores.
Acne-prone skin: If you have oily skin, chances are you also have acne-prone skin. Similarly, pick sunscreens that are non-comedogenic, oil-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free and irritation-free.
Sensitive skin: Look for sunscreens that have minimal ingredients and that are first and foremost, fragrance-free. It also helps if the sunscreen is dermatologist-tested, oil-free, paraben-free, irritation-free and non-comedogenic.
Whether you use mineral sunscreen formulations or chemical ones, be sure you use one with broad spectrum SPF and skin-nurturing hyaluronic acid to provide both the sun protection and breathable skin comfort you need.
Best facial sunscreen FAQs
What is the most effective sunscreen for the face?
The most effective sunscreen for you will be any facial sunscreen of at least 30 SPF. On top of that, make sure to reapply every two hours. The most effective sunscreen is also SPF that you wear daily and that fits your lifestyle (e.g., wear waterproof sunscreen if you are swimming or working out in the sun).
What SPF sunscreen do dermatologists recommend?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, you should be using at least SPF 30. Sunscreens with SPF 30 protect the skin from 97% of the sun’s rays. Higher SPFs can protect slightly more but no SPF can protect against 100% of UVB rays.
What is the best sunscreen for rosacea face?
The best sunscreen for rosacea is any sunscreen that is dermatology-tested, fragrance-free and safe for sensitive skin. I recommend EltaMD’s UV Clear Broad-Spectrum facial sunscreen, which is specifically formulated for skin types prone to acne, rosacea and hyperpigmentation.
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