The 13 Best Face Sunscreens for Every Skin Type, Tested by InStyle

With a super lightweight, almost watery feel, the nongreasy Isdin face sunscreen is impossibly easy to spread.  It won’t slow down your morning makeup routine in the slightest or interfere with heated workouts. The long-lasting option remains in place, but not in an unappealing manner. Our testers couldn’t feel or see the face sunscreen on their skin, only noticing how much more hydrated their skin felt while wearing it.

For folks with combination skin, it can especially be tricky to find the right sunscreen that isn’t too thick or difficult to blend in without leaving a white cast. However, our testers found that this high SPF mineral sunscreen was one of the fastest-absorbing face sunscreens out there.

Anyone who loves a matte finish may not appreciate the slight sheen this option leaves on the skin.

Type: Mineral | SPF Level: | 50+ | Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, vitamin E, plankton extract | Size: 3.4 oz

Jessica, tester with combination skin: “I tested this by applying it on my face before working out. Even though my face was sweaty, it didn't run or pill up during my hour workout. It seemed to hold up well to perspiration.”

I was initially skeptical about this ClearStem sunscreen because it pumps out of the bottle a little thick, and the tint looked too dark for my skin tone. However, my worries were quickly squashed. Immediately, the formula blended into my skin and looked very natural. There was no pilling with any of my other products either, even when I applied makeup on top 30 seconds later.

Between its natural, matte finish, pore-smoothing texture, and noncomedogenic ingredients, every skin type can benefit from this face sunscreen. It’s a beautiful pick to layer under makeup, too.

While I was able to apply the sunscreen with minimal effort, keep in mind that the formula is tinted and on the thicker side.

Type: Mineral | SPF Level: 50 | Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide 21% | Size: 2.1 oz

Irene Richardson, associate editor with combination, dry skin: “I get really worried about my skin when I’m going on long runs, so I looked for a sunscreen that had high SPF and wouldn’t sweat off the second I stepped outside. After seeing numerous positive reviews, I tried ClearStem, and now it’s my go-to for my most miserable, sweaty outdoor activities. Even after wearing it for two hours of agonizing miles in direct sunlight, my skin didn’t burn (a major feat!). Plus, it doesn’t feel heavy and sticky on my skin, which is a must when you’re wiping sweat off your forehead every few minutes.”

If you’re looking for a face sunscreen that delivers on the features of high-end competitors, look no further than this mineral sunscreen from drugstore staple CeraVe. Its fluid texture allows it to apply seamlessly to the skin, with no pilling or streaking. Our tester with sensitive skin also appreciated its fragrance-free formula and how it never stung or irritated her skin, no matter how sweaty she got throughout the day.

This affordable and dermatologist-recommended face sunscreen is just the ticket when high-coverage protection is your very top priority. It’s sweat and water-resistant, feels lightweight, and thoroughly protected our testers after they spent long hours in the sun.

The formula may require extra effort to rub in due to its thick consistency.

Type: Mineral | SPF Level: 30 | Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium oxide, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides | Size: 2.5 oz

Lauren, tester with normal skin (not shown): “As someone with a history of melasma, mineral sunscreen has been an imperative part of my skin care routine to allow me to feel comfortable doing social activities in the sun. This mineral sunscreen did allow me to do so, and I had no recurrence of my melasma. It did resist sweat and water effectively.”

The easiest way to pare down your skin care and makeup routine this summer, because the less we have on our face, the less there is to sweat off, is to choose a tinted sunscreen. The Sarah Creal Repair Shield quickly became my favorite because it provides a generous dewy glow and seamlessly covers redness. Once I rub the face sunscreen in for around 30 seconds, I apply a little cream blush over it and add bronzer. Voila, it’s out the door for me. Beyond this, the packaging—a flat, gold-accented round tube that slides easily into any person—looks so chic.

I was worried this mineral sunscreen would be too chalky for my dry skin, but I find it plenty hydrating. The sunscreen has a body shimmer effect, with just enough radiance to provide a fresh, dewy glow without contributing to shine.

Since this is a mineral sunscreen, it felt grainier, but that’s to be expected. I’d just recommend allowing it to fully dry before applying makeup on top, otherwise you might see some pilling.

Type: Mineral | SPF Level: 50 | Key Ingredients: Patented zinc oxide 12% | Size: 1 oz

Irene Richardson, associate editor with combination, dry skin: “This is my favorite sunscreen to wear when my skin is looking…blah…and I need a little magic to perk it up. I truly can’t believe it also offers SPF 50 coverage, but it acts exactly like makeup: blurring pores, adding radiance, and smoothing out uneven texture.”

It feels right that the self-tanner brand I rely on for a natural-looking glow also makes a face sunscreen that’s basically invisible on skin. Sugared and Bronzed graces my face with the same delicacy as a phenomenal spray tan: It disguises my skin’s imperfections with a slight tint, blends in seamlessly to match my skin tone, and doesn’t leave any streaking or residue. I’m especially impressed with how the mineral formula doesn’t feel chalky or dry out my skin like other options I’ve tried.

Whether you forgot to top off your fake face tan or need a little color prior to beach day, this tinted option will give your skin radiance without the harmful effects from the sun.

The sunscreen has a slight fragrance, almost floral, that lingers a little on the skin. It didn’t bother me, but it’s something to consider if you prefer fragrance-free products.

Type: Mineral | SPF Level: 50 | Key Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 21% | Size: 3.3 oz

Irene Richardson, associate editor with combination, dry skin: “The mineral face sunscreen blends into my skin so seamlessly, which is something I rarely experience with these formulas. Since it’s tinted and very sweat resistant, I like wearing it before workouts since it smooths out my skin like makeup, but doesn’t slide off while I sweat.”

It wasn’t until I tried this luxurious face sunscreen from a "clean" beauty brand that I realized how versatile a face sunscreen could be. The sunscreen applies similarly to a light, silky serum that hydrates my dry skin with a lightweight layer. Additional ingredients, such as algae, blue sea kale, and hemp seed oil, can also help heal redness and protect against blue light. However, my favorite aspect is how it makes my complexion look plumper, dewy, and more radiant, especially when I wear makeup.

If every time you apply your makeup, it ends up looking a little flat, the Mara sunscreen serum can rejuvenate your skin with its dewy finish. It layers beautifully under lightweight foundations and skin tints, giving you a natural-looking glow.

You’ll feel a little closer to the ocean while wearing this sunscreen, courtesy of the mineral scent from the algae and blue sea kale. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Type: Mineral | SPF Level: 30 | Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide 13.2%, algae, blue sea kale, hemp seed

This ultra-sheer option glides on with minimal effort, leaving the skin with a glow reminiscent of a rejuvenating facial, without any signs of a white cast. The consistency is a little runny, but our testers noted that it helped the sunscreen rub more easily into their skin, and the application never felt messy.

In addition to blending seamlessly into skin, the Black Girl Sunscreen is highly moisturizing (thank you, jojoba and carrot seed face oils!). It’s perfect for those who like a dewy finish or have dry skin.

While we love the dewy look it provides, that also means skin can progress from a radiant glow to an oily T-zone throughout the day.

Type: Chemical | SPF Level: 30 | Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, cacao oil, carrot juice, sunflower oil | Size: 3 oz

Nikki, tester with combination skin (not shown): “I coach track and field and was pleased with how well the sunscreen performed with full sun exposure and moderate perspiration. In my experience, the sunscreen effectively resisted sweat.”

This sunscreen goes beyond the call of duty (protecting skin in blistering temperatures); our tester found that it even helped even out her skin tone, reduce dark spots, and keep her skin well moisturized. Our tester with mature skin also noted that, thanks to the included anti-aging ingredients like collagen peptides, her skin looked plumper after application.

Anyone who prefers a very minimal skin care routine should consider this triple threat their one-and-done product. The noncomedogenic face sunscreen won’t clog pores, it doubles as a makeup primer, and the formula could help heal and prevent dark spots.

The face sunscreen is on the thicker side, so it may not be the best option to wear with heavier makeup, such as full-coverage foundation.

Type: Chemical | SPF Level: 50 | Key Ingredients: Collagen peptide | Size: 1.7 oz

Janea, tester with sensitive skin (not shown): “This sunscreen was one of the easiest products I've ever applied. The pump is easy to use, and the product blends very well into my skin. It never left a white cast on my skin, which can be challenging to find as a Black girl. This sunscreen also didn't irritate my skin when I added it to my routine, and I even found it to help even out my skin tone.”

Between sweat and increased exposure to the elements (hi, pollution), warm weather is notoriously cruel to acne-prone skin. This clear, noncomedogenic face sunscreen from La Roche-Posay is ideal for protecting skin and battling acne-causing aggressors. It felt light on our testers’ skin, hydrated dry areas, and contains bacteria-fighting ingredients like azelaic acid.

This is the best face sunscreen for sensitive skin. The fragrance-free face sunscreen doesn’t contain any harsh ingredients; instead, it promotes healthier skin and mitigates redness with ingredients such as azelaic acid and glycerin.

While our dry-skinned tester didn’t mind the dewy finish, anyone with extremely oily skin may not appreciate the extra shine it adds to the skin.

Type: Chemical | SPF Level: 50 | Key Ingredients: Azelaic acid, cell-ox shield technology | Size: 1.7 oz

Sarah, tester with dry skin (not shown): “Sunscreens I've used in the past have been more oil-based and end up irritating my eyes and making my makeup run. My makeup has stayed perfectly in place with this sunscreen, and I don't burn, which is obviously the most important aspect to the product…I've also worn it when going for a run, and it didn't irritate me at all.”

Imagine a sunscreen that actually makes you sweat less. That’s exactly what the Lancôme UVEX Supra SPF face sunscreen did for our tester, absorbing any hint of oiliness while brightening her complexion thanks to ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. Our tester with a darker skin tone also noted that it’s one of the very few face sunscreens without a white cast.

Ok, we all get really sweaty in the summer. However, if you’re blotting away oil within seconds of stepping out the door, this sunscreen from a luxury skin care brand is a great solution for mattifying skin.

Although it’s not dehydrating, this is best for those with oily skin or who prefer a matte finish. Anyone looking for a dewy glow should check out another option on this list.

Type: Chemical | SPF Level: 50 | Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C | Size: 1.7 oz

Chantia, tester with combination skin (not shown): “It layered with my skin care products and makeup very well. I usually go for a bright under-eye look and some blush, and my under-eye makeup looks smoother than usual using this sunscreen product prior to application.”

From corndogs to glue sticks, everything is so much easier to use (or eat) in a stick format, and that certainly extends to our face sunscreens. The Shisedio Clear Sunscreen stick also rejuvenated InStyle tester Natalya’s dry skin after each use. Plus, it’s very water and sweat-resistant, holding up well in pools and super humid climates.

We’d definitely bring this with us on a beach day, during travel, or any time we’re on the go and we don’t have clean hands to reapply our sunscreen. It’s the best nongreasy face sunscreen that slides over skin with ease and leaves it feeling more hydrated.

A couple of things to keep in mind: Since the sunscreen is clear, you need to be extra diligent that you’ve applied it everywhere, since you can’t see the spots you’ve already gone over. Plus, it contains mineral oil, which can sometimes clog pores on acne-prone skin.

Type: Chemical | SPF Level: 50 | Key Ingredients: Soy lecithin and licorice extract | Size: 0.7 oz

Natalya, tester with oily combination skin (not shown): “It felt hydrating and was not stinging or tightening on skin. It does hold well in wet and humid environments, and works well if you sweat, or in the pool.”

The Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen carries hardly any odor, and the translucent, bouncy gel provides a silky smooth feel that glides on easily, functioning similarly to a makeup primer. Our testers didn’t see any white cast on their skin, even after reapplication. During the day, it held up to perspiration without running or streaking. 

This is the best face sunscreen for oily skin since it mattifies shine, doesn’t look streaky once you get sweaty, and mixes well with other products like setting powder. Additionally, using this sunscreen for the face under makeup is a good idea because it applies clear so that it won’t mix with tinted products.

Some individuals may require an additional moisturizing layer due to the formula's slightly drying effect.

Type: Chemical | SPF Level: 50 | Key Ingredients: Chamomile-derived bisabolol, licorice root complex | Size: 1.7 oz

Emily, tester with oily combination skin (not shown): “This product is a dream for anyone with combination or oily skin. The texture of the sunscreen is similar to a primer. It had a more matte finish compared to other face sunscreens. Since the product had a clear cast, the product spread into my skin easily, making blending a breeze.”

Our testers couldn’t stop bragging about Vacation's Crystal SPF 50 gel sunscreen, citing its velvety texture, pore-smoothing abilities, and moisturizing properties. While its SPF 50 coverage is definitely the most important factor, these added bonuses make it feel like Christmas in July. For instance, it also doesn’t pill under makeup. Overall, it’s a foolproof lightweight SPF for daily use.

We’d recommend this to anyone burned by heavier sunscreens in the past and those who want to wear a sunscreen that feels like practically nothing on their skin. Its lightweight properties and high coverage would be ideal for outdoor workouts.

Honestly, this product was pretty much perfect. If we’re being extremely nit-picky, not everyone may prefer its slicker texture.

Type: Chemical | SPF Level: 50 | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalene | Size: 1.7 oz

Mariza, tester with normal to dry skin (not shown): “I used this sunscreen under my makeup, and my pores practically disappeared when using this…This did not become greasy on my face whatsoever; it kept me very matte and moisturized at the same time. I wore this on walks in Charleston in the humid, 80-degree weather and did not have any sunburn!”