Best Sunscreens for Your Face: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Sunscreen keeps your face looking healthy, wrinkle-free, and radiant for years to come. Protect your complexion every summer season with the best sunscreens on the market.

Sunscreen is a non-negotiable when it comes to proper skincare. Sunscreen protects against sunburn and reduces the risk of developing melanoma. It also limits ultraviolet light damage like brown spots and broken blood vessels.

The sun’s ultraviolet rays are independent of hot or cold weather and are not blocked by clouds. UV light causes serious skincare woes even if you’re not spending time directly in the sun. So, you must wear sunscreen on your face every single day, rain or shine. Otherwise, you may accumulate UV damage.

Using sunscreen is arguably the most important step in your skincare routine. However, finding the right formula for your face is no easy task. A sunscreen must not only defend against harmful UVA and UVB rays, after all.

The best sunscreens are good for your skin, non-greasy, and invisible. From chalky residues to sticky textures and breakouts, the wrong facial sunscreen can wreak havoc on your skin.

To help you find the best sunscreen for your face, we’ve compiled a list of the top sunscreens for summer. Layer one of these sunscreens as the last step in your skincare routine. You’ll actually look forward to applying them!

Best Face Sunscreens

Best Sunscreen for Your Face Overall: Herbal Dynamics Beauty solarDefense Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 29

Protect your complexion from harmful UV rays with this convenient and quick mineral sunscreen spray. This mist formula spreads evenly across the skin’s surface while remaining non-greasy and translucent. solarDefense offers broad coverage, preventing UV damage and skin penetration to achieve optimum SPF performance.

Best Sunscreen for a Facial Glow: Supergoop Glow Screen SPF 40 

Illuminate, hydrate, and protect skin with this glow-boosting facial sunscreen. Glow Screen delivers an immediate healthy, lit-from-within glow, without any glitz or glitter. It also helps keep skin healthy.

Best Inexpensive Sunscreen for Your Face: Glossier Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen SPF 35

A lightweight SPF 35 water-gel formula that feels like a serum. This transparent sunscreen formula features microcapsules. Your skin instantly absorbs the microcapsules. This makes the sunscreen ideal for wearing under other creams.

The sunscreen helps prevent sun damage and skin cancer. It also works to neutralize harmful free radicals.

Best Organic Sunscreen for Your Face: Mineral Face Organic Matte Finish Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30

This sunscreen formula provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection and features a plant complex to support and nourish the skin. It’s a sheer, non-greasy matte finish formula that smoothes imperfections and doubles as a primer.

Best Lightweight Sunscreen for Your Face: Naturopathica Daily UV Defense Cream SPF 50

A lightweight daily cream that protects against UVA/UVB damage. Zinc Oxide provides clean, broad-spectrum protection. Antioxidant Green Tea Extract and strengthening Deep Sea Enzymes reinforce the skin’s natural defenses.

Best All-Day Sunscreen for Your Face: Dermalogica Oil Free Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 30

This facial sunscreen helps prevent shine and skin aging on oily, breakout-prone skin. The lightweight, ultra-sheer formula helps maintain an all-day matte finish while providing defense against skin-aging UV light.

More Facial Sunscreens to Consider

Colorscience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield SPF 50

This hydrating, antioxidant-rich mineral sunscreen formula provides complete protection from environmental aggressors. It has a weightless texture that blends invisibly into all skin tones.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+

This is an invisible broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen. It has a protective veil that becomes even more effective in heat and water. It’s an ocean-friendly sunscreen for both face and body. Perfect for anyone doing outdoor activities.

Kari Gran Essential SPF

Essential SPF is a mineral facial sunscreen. It provides broad-spectrum protection against the sun’s harmful UV rays. It also hydrates the skin with naturally derived organic oils.

Hawaiian Tropic Island Sport Lotion Sunscreen SPF 50

This ultra-light, non-greasy, sport-level protection sunscreen has a non-pore-clogging texture. It is great for keeping your skin looking and feeling beautiful. Plus, it has an inviting tropical scent.

Mineral SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Face Lotion

This is a tinted, zinc-based mineral sunscreen for the face. It glides on smoothly and acts as a primer, leaving a matte finish with broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection.

NYDG Skincare Chem-Free Active Defense SPF 30

This lightweight SPF 30 facial sunscreen is ideal for sensitive skin. The product provides broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection for the face and the body. Squalane and argan extracts provide enhanced protection against environmental skin stressors.

EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen SPF 46

This oil-free sunscreen calms and protects sensitive skin types prone to discoloration and breakouts. It contains niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and lactic acid to promote the appearance of healthy-looking skin.

Biossance Squalane + Mineral Mineral SPF 30

This super sheer zinc SPF 30 facial sunscreen protects against infrared rays. It also contains hydrating squalane to lock in moisture. Plus, you can use it as a primer since it dries matte.

SDN Eryfotona Actinica Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+

Eryfotona Actinica is a mineral-based facial sunscreen designed to address previous sun damage. It also provides necessary UVA/UVB protection. All without leaving your skin feeling greasy.

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry Touch Sunscreen is micronized. The lotion goes on smoothly without making the skin look white. The formula is gentle enough for the most sensitive skin.

Touch in Sol Pang Pang Sun Cutting Powder

Unlike most facial sunscreens, this one is a powder formula with SPF 30. Do you suffer from sun-induced oiliness and blemishes? This ultra-fine powder will mattify the complexion while protecting the skin.

Witch hazel and mulberry root extract help to soothe and balance the skin. It has a built-in powder puff so you can powder on the go.

Eve Lom Daily Protection SPF 50

This oil-free facial sunscreen provides broad-spectrum defense against both UVA and UVB rays. It also protects from pollution, free radicals, and environmental damage.

It’s suitable for all skin types and skin tones. The sunscreen firms, brightens, hydrates, and lifts the skin. Use this fast-absorbing product in place of your daily moisturizer. You can also apply it as the final step of your skincare regime, depending on your skin’s needs.

Sunscreen is Important for Beautiful Skin

Sunscreen protects your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. These rays come in two forms – UVA and UVB rays.

UVA rays can pass easily through glass. Your skin is exposed to them while you’re in the car or sitting inside in front of an open window. UVA ray damage ages the skin prematurely. The UVA beams also cause fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots that make skin look prematurely older. UVB rays are the ones responsible for painful sunburns. Unlike UVA rays, UVB beams cannot pass through glass.

Both UVA and UVB rays are cancer-causing. Using a facial sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection against both types is a must. Even darker skin that doesn’t normally burn in the sun can develop skin cancer. The best way to protect your skin is with a daily application of sunscreen.

Sunscreen Facts

Sunscreen is an everyday product for many of us, but you may not know all that you should know.

1. You probably aren’t using enough sunscreen.

The Cancer Foundation recommends applying 1 ounce of sunscreen over your body every two hours to ensure that you’re fully protected. However, you can use less just for your face and neck.

2. A sunscreen with an SPF above 50 can be misleading.

The FDA says they do not have adequate data demonstrating that products with SPF values higher than 50 provide additional protection. For now, stick with one in the 30-50 SPF range.

3. Don’t use expired sunscreen.

Sunscreens last about two years unopened. As soon as it’s open, the active ingredients begin to weaken.

4. Sunscreen should protect you from both UVA and UVB rays.

Some sunscreens only provide UVB protection. They are the rays that cause burning, after all. However, your sunscreen should also help fend off the more damaging rays that don’t burn skin.

Look for broad-spectrum on the label of your sunscreen. This term means it protects against both.

5. Sunscreen alone does not prevent skin cancer.

While it does reduce your chances of getting it, there’s no proof that sunscreen alone prevents skin cancer. It’s important to not only apply and reapply your sunscreen but to:

• Wear hats, sunglasses, and cover-ups when outside
• Find shade during peak sun intensity hours
• See your dermatologist for regular skin checks
• Stay alert to changes in your body

Applying Sunscreen and Other Skincare Products

As we mentioned earlier, sunscreen should be the last part of any skincare routine. If you use a natural face moisturizer with SPF, you can even skip it entirely.

We recommend a morning facial skincare routine with the following eight steps:

1. Cleanser to remove bacteria from your pillowcase. It also helps if you wash your pillow and pillowcase often to keep them germ-free.
2. An exfoliant to remove dirt and debris on your skin.
3. Toner to prep your skin for the next products.
4. Spot treat any acne with medication. The best acne treatments depend on what kind of acne you have.
5. Nutrient-dense serums address special concerns, such as enlarged pores.
6. Eye cream. Your eyes have the thinnest skin on your face, which is partly why dark circles under the eyes develop.
7. A moisturizer hydrates your skin and seals in the previous products.
8. Last of all is your chosen sunscreen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need special sunscreen for my face?

Facial sunscreens have different compositions than sunscreens for the whole body. A facial sunscreen should be easier for the skin to absorb and feels lighter. You’re also less likely to break out in acne with facial sunscreen than with standard sunscreen.

That said, if you don’t have facial sunscreen on hand, regular sunscreen will do fine. It will still protect your face from the sun’s rays. You just may find it feels slightly uncomfortable after you apply it.

Can you use sunscreen as a moisturizer?

Unless you’re using a moisturizer with SPF, you shouldn’t treat sunscreen and moisturizer as interchangeable. At the same time, you can’t rely on standard moisturizer to protect you from the sun. It’s better to lather on sunscreen after you’ve applied regular moisturizer.

Plus, sunscreen isn’t designed to restore your skin’s moisture balance. Most sunscreens don’t contain the helpful ingredients that many moisturizers do. So they don’t offer the same benefits of those ingredients.

Can you use Vaseline as sunscreen?

No, you shouldn’t use plain petroleum jelly as sun protection. The substance won’t block harmful UV rays. Putting petroleum jelly can also increase the chances of an acne breakout.

While the Vaseline label does recommend it as a way to treat burns, you shouldn’t apply it right after you get a sunburn. If you immediately put Vaseline on a sunburn, it can seal in heat and worsen your symptoms.

Is it OK to leave sunscreen on overnight?

Before you go to bed, you should wash your face to remove traces of sunscreen. Removing the lingering bits of sunscreen with water will prevent clogged pores. Washing your face also gets rid of the dirt and grime that builds up over the day.

Is applying sunscreen once a day enough?

For most people, one morning application of sunscreen isn’t enough protection. You should generally reapply your sunscreen every two hours.

If you stay indoors away from windows, you may not need another coat of sunscreen. Still, you should keep a bottle on hand for things like lunchtime walks.

What are the disadvantages of sunscreen?

The most benign disadvantage of sunscreen is that it can stain clothes. The most serious side effect can be a severe allergic reaction. Seek help immediately if you experience symptoms like throat swelling and difficulty breathing.

Most people won’t experience worse than a rash or skin irritation. You can often solve this issue by trying a different sunscreen.

Unless your doctor states otherwise, you shouldn’t skip sunscreen. Many doctors will judge the pros of sunscreen greater than its everyday cons.

Do your lips need sunscreen?

Yes, you should apply specialty sunscreen to your lips. Lips are vulnerable to sun damage because they lack melanin. Wearing lip sunscreen keeps their collagen from breaking down.

Normal sunscreen and facial varieties aren’t recommended for your lips. Aside from the taste, they won’t provide the protection your lips need. Instead, look for lip balm with a good SPF number around 30.

Have You Found Your Next Sunscreen?

It’s no secret that you should wear sunscreen every single day, rain or shine. It can prevent premature aging and reduce your risk of skin cancer. Finding the right sunscreen formula for your face can be a challenge, however. The wrong sunscreen can feel sticky, clump-up under your other skin products, or cause breakouts.

Still, you’ll never regret wearing sunscreen when you look at your youthful skin in 20 years. Daily SPF not only helps prevent more serious forms of sun damage like skin cancer, it can also prevent wrinkles and fine lines.