The 12 Best Face Sunscreens of 2024

Finest drugstore face sunscreen

“In the event you hate sunscreen, you have to do that sunscreen. It appears to be like, feels, and applies a lot like a face lotion that I needed to double-check the bottle to ensure it was, in reality, a ‘actual’ sunscreen. The consistency is light-weight and milky, making it straightforward to therapeutic massage in, and the hyaluronic acid-spiked formulation leaves your pores and skin trying dewy and glowy, with none irritating perfume. And in contrast to so many drugstore sunscreens which can be principally white casts in a bottle, this one dries down completely clear on all pores and skin tones, in response to testers.” — Chloe Metzger, deputy editor

Chemical or mineral:

Chemical

Sunscreen filters:

Homosalate, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene

Finest mineral face sunscreen

“I’m legitimately afraid of mineral sunscreen, as a result of each time I give one an opportunity, my pores and skin is left trying like a grey, ashy mess. I’ve simply by no means discovered a mineral SPF that truly appears to be like good on brown pores and skin. However this formulation—designed by two sensible girls of shade—may need simply restored my hope. Regardless of it being a mineral sunscreen, I don’t should spend without end massaging it in. As a substitute, it’s straightforward to use and leaves behind a hydrated, satin-y end, making it an ideal choice to put on earlier than placing on make-up. It additionally has cucumber extract that provides a pleasant cooling impact if you rub it on. Most significantly, although? No ghostly white solid—therefore its identify. Get it?” — Aimee Simeon, senior magnificence editor

Chemical or Mineral:

Mineral

Sunscreen filters:

Zinc oxide

Finest for dry pores and skin

“In case your pores and skin is dry, you’re in for a deal with with this sunscreen, which is principally a glass of fruit-infused water to your face. The hydrating formulation provides my pores and skin a dewy sheen with out feeling greasy or sticky. And, regardless of its light-weight gel texture, it manages to maintain my pores and skin moisturized all through the day with out drying me out. I additionally love that it’s loaded with virtually a dozen fruit extracts—together with pineapple, papaya, and apple—that assist my uninteresting pores and skin look a bit glowier over time.” —Francesca Krempa, commerce editor  

Chemical or mineral:

Chemical

Sunscreen filters:

Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate

Finest for delicate pores and skin

“My dermatologist really useful this sunscreen to me once I was on the hunt for a formulation that wasn’t greasy and wouldn’t irritate my already-sensitive pores and skin. I’ve been utilizing it for awhile now, and I haven’t seemed again. I really like that it’s a no-frills formulation that doesn’t have a white solid, greasy really feel, or irritating perfume. It’s additionally formulated with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E—a mild, skin-soothing trio that helps calm my reactive pores and skin. I actually get why it’s each derm’s go-to sunscreen.” — Jessica Campbell-Salley, affiliate health director

Chemical or mineral:

Hybrid

Sunscreen filters:

Zinc oxide, octinoxate

Finest chemical face sunscreen

“In relation to facial sunscreens, I all the time search for a hydrating formulation that makes my pores and skin glowy and plump. This moisturizing one from Naturium suits the invoice, dwelling as much as its Dew Glow identify. It’s formulated with niacinamide to assist soothe irritation and fade darkish spots, together with vitamin C to assist brighten hyperpigmtation and defend in opposition to environmental injury. Every time I exploit it, my pores and skin appears to be like extra luminous and hydrated, so I really need to apply it each morning. And, as an added bonus, the packaging is tremendous cool: The highest of the cap has a deep indent in it that—when pumped full with sunscreen—equals one-quarter teaspoon, which is the really useful quantity of sunscreen wanted to your face. I simply pump it in, scoop it out with my pinky, and apply it. Tremendous straightforward and really good.” —AS

Chemical or Mineral:

Chemical

Sunscreen filters:

Homosalate, octisalate, avobenzone

Finest waterproof face sunscreen

“I’m not too proud to confess I’m a mineral-sunscreen skeptic. I’ve merely been accomplished soiled too many time up to now by chalky formulation with main white solid, so I strategy each mineral formulation with a aspect eye till confirmed improper. This one proved me improper. It’s utterly sheer, tremendous hydrating, and extremely water-proof. I used this throughout my face (and even on my physique, tbh) throughout my final trip and was tremendous impressed at how undetectable it seemed and felt on my pores and skin.” —AS

Chemical or Mineral:

Mineral

Sunscreen filters:

Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide

Finest Korean sunscreen

“If you already know me—actually, even in the event you don’t know me—you’ve most likely heard me wax poetic in regards to the magic of this Korean sunscreen. Sunscreens made and offered in Korea are sometimes lighter, sheerer, extra protecting, and extra snug to put on than sunscreens made within the U.S. Why? As a result of the FDA classifies American sunscreens as medical medication, leading to an intensely sluggish approval course of for brand new sunscreen filters (like avobenzone or titanium dioxide). However different nations, together with Korea, classify sunscreens as cosmetics, so new sunscreen filters are frequently innovated and examined, leading to solely the very best of the very best formulation making it to market, like this one from Fantastic thing about Joseon. This fragrance-free sunscreen has a light-weight, serum-like texture that appears shiny if you first apply it, however dries all the way down to a satiny sheen after 15 seconds. And sure, that’s nonetheless true if you apply the really useful quantity—i.e., the size of two fingers, or one-quarter teaspoon. It’s simply probably the greatest sunscreens I’ve ever utilized in profession, and that’s saying one thing.” — CM

Chemical or mineral:

Chemical

Sunscreen filters:

Iscotrizinol, Tinosorb M, Uvinul T 150, Uvinul A Plus

Finest for shiny pores and skin

“In case your pores and skin is oily, you already know that some SPF formulation can flip greasy quick. That’s why I hold this formulation in my toolkit once I want a matte base that doesn’t suck the life out of my face. It has a velvety, satin end that makes your pores and skin really feel easy however not stripped, and it additionally doesn’t capsule below my make-up—which is one among my greatest gripes with some mattifying formulation. And, regardless of being a mineral formulation, it’s completely clear and tremendous light-weight; I virtually all the time neglect I’m carrying sunscreen when I’ve it on.” —AS  

Chemical or mineral:

Mineral

Sunscreen filters:

Zinc oxide

Finest for acne-prone pores and skin

“I’ve acne-prone pores and skin and hyperpigmentation, so sunscreen is essential for holding my zits marks and darkish spots from worsening. This one from Dermaologica not solely has an SPF score of fifty, but additionally incorporates niacinamide and licorice root—two anti-inflammatory and brightening components that work double-duty on my breakouts and scars. Simply bear in mind: Consistency is essential. The extra you utilize it, the higher your pores and skin will look—although consistency is fairly straightforward when you might have a formulation that smells this good and applies this properly.” —AS

Chemical or mineral:

Chemical

Sunscreen filters:

Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate

Finest for effective strains

“I not too long ago survived my first yr as a mum or dad to an toddler. For sure, life is catching up with me, and earlier than extra effective strains begin creeping in, I’m making an attempt to future-proof my skincare routine. Enter: this Elemis SPF. I really like the way it hydrates my pores and skin immediately with collagen and glycerin, and I’ve additionally observed that it’s made my face really feel tighter and firmer over the previous couple of months, with none irritation that I get from typical line-smoothing components. I actually all the time neglect I’m technically making use of sunscreen once I’m utilizing at the present time cream.” — AS

Chemical or mineral:

Chemical

Sunscreen filters:

Avobenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene

Finest completely clear

“In the event you can’t assist however eye-roll if you see a product claiming to be ‘invisible,’ I get it—it’s usually B.S. Nevertheless, I can 10/10 affirm that Bask’s Invisible Gel is totally clear and undetectable in your face, no matter how melanated your pores and skin is. And though it has a gel consistency—which may usually really feel sticky in your pores and skin—this one dries all the way down to a non-shiny, velvet end, so it’s good for layering below make-up if you desire a easy base on a scorching day.” —AS  

Chemical or mineral:

Chemical

Sunscreen filters:

Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene

Finest stick

“I acquired a sneak-peek of this mineral sunscreen earlier than it hit cabinets, and it’s been a staple in my home since. Because the climate’s been warming up, I’ve been going out for every day walks with my toddler daughter; I hold this in our stroller so we will each reapply whereas open air. It’s secure for little ones over six months, so I even have peace of thoughts realizing I can defend her pores and skin whereas I’m defending mine. It additionally checks all of the vital bins: no ashy solid, no greasy really feel, and no leaks or spills—all wins! Simply keep in mind that stick sunscreens are finest for touch-ups reasonably than as your one-and-only SPF, because it’s unimaginable to get the sufficient quantity of protection from a stick that you just’d should be absolutely protected.” —AS

Chemical or mineral:

Mineral

Sunscreen filters:

Zinc oxide