Most dermatologists would agree that sunscreen is The Most Essential product in your toilet cupboard, far outweighing your cleanser, remedy serums, or face masks. But, for many individuals, sunscreen remains to be the one product that may really feel like pulling enamel to use. Which is sensible: Face sunscreens have traditionally had less-than-stellar formulations, from greasy formulation to white-cast finishes—so why would anybody need to use a product that leaves them oily and chalky?
However in the previous couple of years, sunscreen innovation has come a good distance. And that’s a superb factor, contemplating sunscreen is your finest line of protection in opposition to cancer-causing UVB rays and damage-causing UVA rays. Nonetheless, the very best face sunscreen is the one that you just’ll slather on each single day—which is why Nicely+Good did the work of testing dozens of facial sunscreens, from the top-selling to the lesser-known, to seek out the very best formulation, beneath. Undecided the place to start out or which one to strive first? Strive following these expert-approved suggestions:
How to decide on the very best face sunscreen
Choosing the very best sunscreen to your pores and skin sort boils all the way down to discovering one you will use every day. So, it is vital to think about just a few various factors like your pores and skin sort, life-style, and formulation to lock down one that matches into your routine.
☀️ Search for an SPF score of 30 or extra
First issues first: At all times decide a sunscreen with at least an SPF 30—which, FYI, all of our 2024 SPF Award Winners have. A sunscreen’s SPF (solar safety issue) measures how properly it’s going to defend your pores and skin from sunburn, says Karan Lal, DO, a board-certified dermatologist at Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ. The kicker is, to get essentially the most safety out of your sunscreen, you additionally want to make sure that you are making use of sufficient (two finger-lengths of sunscreen to your face) and reapplying appropriately each few hours, particularly in the event you’re sweating or swimming. So, even the fanciest SPF 60 cream available on the market is not doing you justice in the event you solely apply a pea-size quantity every now and then.
☀️ Decide a formulation you’ll really get pleasure from utilizing
To get essentially the most safety out of your sunscreen, you additionally want to make sure that you are making use of sufficient. “In relation to sunscreen, most individuals solely apply 25 to 50 % of the really useful quantity,” says Sara L. Allen, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Charleston, NC, and founding father of Pores and skin Clique. “In your face, a superb rule of thumb is one teaspoon of sunscreen to get sufficient solar safety.”
Not solely that, however you’ll want to make sure you’re carrying it each single day—not simply when the vibe strikes. “A 2010 research printed within the Journal of Scientific Oncology1 checked out sufferers who wore sunscreen day by day versus those that solely wore it after they felt prefer it,” says Dr. Allen. “Not surprisingly, those that have been within the latter class had double the prospect of growing melanoma relative to those that wore it day by day.”
☀️ Strive a formulation primarily based in your pores and skin sort
Is your pores and skin oily and also you desire a sunscreen that mattifies? Or is your pores and skin dry and you like one thing with a dewy end? Figuring out your pores and skin sort will assist you to decide between formulation that promise hydration versus shine management. You’ll additionally need to take into consideration the sort of sunscreen you need—e.g., chemical, mineral, or hybrid. Mineral sunscreens make the most of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to create a bodily barrier in your pores and skin that blocks UV rays, whereas chemical sunscreens make the most of chemical filters (like oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, and avobenzone) to assist take up and disperse the solar’s rays.
Hybrid sunscreens formulation, as you’ll be able to guess, mix the very best of each worlds with chemical and mineral filters. Every has their potential professionals and cons: Mineral sunscreens are gentlest on delicate pores and skin, however have the next probability of leaving a white solid; chemical sunscreens are sometimes best to “put on” throughout all pores and skin tones, however can doubtlessly irritate delicate pores and skin varieties.
No matter you resolve, selecting a formulation you will decide to is an important factor. Dr. Allen encourages her sufferers to maintain their SPF at their toilet sink to recollect to achieve for it each morning. “One in every of my favourite methods for utility is placing my SPF subsequent to my toothpaste, which is discovered to extend your common every day SPF use2,” she says. “The ethical of the story is to seek out the best SPF product that you’ll use every day.” Obtained that? Now let’s dive into the winners.
Store our award-winning face sunscreen picks
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Hydra Sunscreen SPF 50—$40
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
Lion Pose Ghost-Buster 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 42—$46
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
Tula Skincare Defend + Glow Each day Sunscreen Gel Broad—$38
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
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46—$43
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
Sunscreen filters:
Zinc oxide, octinoxate
Naturium Dew-Glow Moisturizer SPF 50—$22
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
Blue Lizard Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+—$16
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
Fantastic thing about Joseon Aid Solar:Rice + Probiotics SPF 50—$18
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
Hero Power Defend Broad Spectrum SPF 30—$20
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
Dermalogica Powerbright Moisturizer SPF 50—$79
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
Elemis Marine Cream SPF 30—$140
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
Bask Each day Invisible Gel Sunscreen SPF 40—$28
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
Avène Mineral Sunscreen Balm Stick SPF 50—$24
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
Nicely+Good articles reference scientific, dependable, current, strong research to again up the data we share. You may belief us alongside your wellness journey.
- Gimotty, Phyllis A., and Karen Glanz. “Sunscreen and Melanoma: What Is the Proof?” Journal of Scientific Oncology, vol. 29, no. 3, 20 Jan. 2011, pp. 249–250, https://doi.org/10.1200/jco.2010.31.7529. Accessed 8 Apr. 2022.
- Wang, Steven Q et al. “Enhancing compliance of every day sunscreen utility by altering accessibility.” Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine vol. 33,2 (2017): 112-113. doi:10.1111/phpp.12292
