12 Best Face Sunscreens, Tested & Reviewed with Pics

Finest drugstore face sunscreen

“In case you hate sunscreen, it’s good 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 verify it was, in actual fact, a ‘actual’ sunscreen. The consistency is light-weight and milky, making it simple to therapeutic massage in, and the hyaluronic acid-spiked formulation leaves your pores and skin wanting 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 accordance with 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 wanting 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 good girls of colour—might need simply restored my hope. Regardless of it being a mineral sunscreen, I don’t must spend ceaselessly massaging it in. As a substitute, it’s simple to use and leaves behind a hydrated, satin-y end, making it an amazing choice to put on earlier than placing on make-up. It additionally has cucumber extract that provides a pleasant cooling impact whenever 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 on your face. The hydrating formulation offers 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 nearly 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 beneficial this sunscreen to me after 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 appeared 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 delicate, skin-soothing trio that helps calm my reactive pores and skin. I truthfully 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 at all times search for a hydrating formulation that makes my pores and skin glowy and plump. This moisturizing one from Naturium matches 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 shield in opposition to environmental harm. Every time I exploit it, my pores and skin appears to be like extra luminous and hydrated, so I truly 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 beneficial quantity of sunscreen wanted on your face. I simply pump it in, scoop it out with my pinky, and apply it. Tremendous simple and really sensible.” —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 prior to now by chalky formulation with main white solid, so I strategy each mineral formulation with a aspect eye till confirmed incorrect. This one proved me incorrect. It’s fully sheer, tremendous hydrating, and extremely water-resistant. I used this throughout my face (and even on my physique, tbh) throughout my final trip and was tremendous impressed at how undetectable it appeared and felt on my pores and skin.” —AS

Chemical or Mineral:

Mineral

Sunscreen filters:

Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide

Finest Korean sunscreen

“If me—truthfully, even in case you don’t know me—you’ve in all probability heard me wax poetic in regards to the magic of this Korean sunscreen. Sunscreens made and bought in Korea are sometimes lighter, sheerer, extra protecting, and extra comfy to put on than sunscreens made within the U.S. Why? As a result of the FDA classifies American sunscreens as medical medicine, leading to an intensely sluggish approval course of for brand new sunscreen filters (like avobenzone or titanium dioxide). However different international locations, together with Korea, classify sunscreens as cosmetics, so new sunscreen filters are frequently innovated and examined, leading to solely the perfect of the perfect 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 whenever you first apply it, however dries right down to a satiny sheen after 15 seconds. And sure, that’s nonetheless true whenever you apply the beneficial quantity—i.e., the size of two fingers, or one-quarter teaspoon. It’s simply the most effective 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 greasy pores and skin

“In case your pores and skin is oily, that some SPF formulation can flip greasy quick. That’s why I preserve this formulation in my toolkit after 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 largest gripes with some mattifying formulation. And, regardless of being a mineral formulation, it’s completely clear and tremendous light-weight; I nearly at all times overlook 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 pimples marks and darkish spots from worsening. This one from Dermaologica not solely has an SPF score of fifty, but in addition comprises niacinamide and licorice root—two anti-inflammatory and brightening substances that work double-duty on my breakouts and scars. Simply bear in mind: Consistency is essential. The extra you employ it, the higher your pores and skin will look—although consistency is fairly simple when you have got a formulation that smells this good and applies this effectively.” —AS

Chemical or mineral:

Chemical

Sunscreen filters:

Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate

Finest for wonderful strains

“I not too long ago survived my first 12 months as a father or mother to an toddler. Evidently, life is catching up with me, and earlier than extra wonderful strains begin creeping in, I’m attempting 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 few months, with none irritation that I get from typical line-smoothing substances. I actually at all times overlook I’m technically making use of sunscreen after I’m utilizing today cream.” — AS

Chemical or mineral:

Chemical

Sunscreen filters:

Avobenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene

Finest completely clear

“In case you can’t assist however eye-roll whenever you see a product claiming to be ‘invisible,’ I get it—it’s typically B.S. Nevertheless, I can 10/10 verify 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 typically really feel sticky in your pores and skin—this one dries right down to a non-shiny, velvet end, so it’s excellent for layering below make-up whenever you need a easy base on a scorching day.” —AS  

Chemical or mineral:

Chemical

Sunscreen filters:

Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene

Finest stick

“I bought a sneak-peek of this mineral sunscreen earlier than it hit cabinets, and it’s been a staple in my home since. For the reason that climate’s been warming up, I’ve been going out for each day walks with my toddler daughter; I preserve this in our stroller so we are able to each reapply whereas outdoor. It’s secure for little ones over six months, so I even have peace of thoughts understanding I can shield her pores and skin whereas I’m defending mine. It additionally checks all of the essential packing containers: no ashy solid, no greasy really feel, and no leaks or spills—all wins! Simply do not forget that stick sunscreens are finest for touch-ups reasonably than as your one-and-only SPF, because it’s inconceivable to get the satisfactory quantity of protection from a stick that you just’d must be absolutely protected.” —AS

Chemical or mineral:

Mineral

Sunscreen filters:

Zinc oxide