Save Your Skin from Bumps and Breakouts with the Best Sunscreens for Your Face

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Yes, sunscreen before an outdoor workout or a day at the beach is important, but so is everyday sun protection, which many people tend to forget. Using SPF 30 and above can help protect your skin from damage, wrinkles, and even skin cancer, but many formulas leave something to be desired, especially for the delicate skin on your face. If you don’t like the idea of dousing yourself in highly-fragranced, greasy, sunscreen that’s sure to prompt a breakout, we found the best sunscreens for your face that slot right into your skincare routine.

High-quality sunscreen for your face is formulated to be lighter and more breathable than those intended for use on your body, and many are even designed to sit well under makeup. Face sunscreen comes in many different forms, from moisturizers to serums to tinted formulas, giving you plenty of choices to find one that works the best with your skin.

We rounded up the best face sunscreens to protect your face from both UVA and UVB rays so you can enjoy the outdoors throughout the summer and all-year round.

The Best Face Sunscreens

What to Consider

When looking for a new face sunscreen, there are a few key ingredients and terms to look out for, as they determine how the sunscreen functions, reacts with your skin, and appears on your face.

Mineral Versus Chemical

Mineral sunscreen creates a physical barrier between your skin and the sun, sometimes leaving a visible white or purple cast on the skin. This option is often a good choice for sensitive, vulnerable skin like the face. The active ingredients are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which create a barrier that blocks ultraviolet light, so the SPF doesn’t need to soak into the skin. Some mineral sunscreens are tinted to match your skin to abate the pasty, chalky residue that this type of sunscreen can leave, especially on dark skin tones.

Chemical sunscreens seep into the skin rather than sitting on top of it. They are generally thinner than mineral sunscreens and don’t leave behind any color. They often work well as a primer used under makeup, and are also a good choice for acne-prone skin.

How We Selected

To find the best facial sunscreens among the many options on the market, we researched the most popular formulas available and considered their ingredients, feel, SPF level, texture, and wear longevity. We then looked at both expert reviews and feedback from real customers to settle on the best sunscreen for your face, whether you’re prepping for a run or laying out on the beach.

Anthelios Melt-In Milk Body & Face Sunscreen

For days spent out in the sun, this face and body sunscreen takes the cake. It is fragrance-free, fast absorbing, and packs 60 SPF—but won’t have you looking like a ghost or feeling like you rolled around in butter. It is water-resistant and lasts up to 80 minutes before needing to be reapplied, so it’s great for the beach or a sweaty workout. Apply this to your face 15 minutes prior to heading outside into the sun and you’ll be ready-t0-go.

Reviewers love this sunscreen because it feels like it absorbs quickly, which is nice as the last thing you want when you go outside in the heat is to feel a greasy product weighing you down.

Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen

If affordability is a major concern for you, you can’t go wrong with CeraVe's hydrating mineral sunscreen. It has an SPF level of 30 and the mineral-based formula is irritation-free. Since it uses zinc, it can have a bit of a white cast, but the tinted option works well for many skin tones. If you have sensitive or easily irritated skin, this is a great option for you.

However, if you plan on spending a day at the beach or pool, this may not be the sunscreen to bring since it is not water resistant. CeraVe’s products are known for being super gentle on sensitive skin, and this sunscreen is no exception.

Face and Body Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Set

This mineral-based sunscreen is great if you have sensitive, acne-prone skin. It’s hydrating, fragrance-free, and uses hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to help keep your skin clear, moisturized, and looking healthy. It’s transparent, packs SPF 46, and you can also buy it in a pack with Elta MD’s SPF 50 sport sunscreen for the body, which is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

Although this bundle’s price tag is on the higher end, reviewers say it’s worth it. One user says this sunscreen “never clogs my pores and makes my skin feel and look great”—what else could you ask for?

Beach Defense Sunscreen Stick

If you’re looking for a sunscreen that’s easy to apply without getting all over your hands, this one is a great choice—and the one I wear every day because it’s clean, looks good under my makeup, and doesn’t get everywhere. It’s also relieving to know that I’ll be protected if I happen to make an impromptu trip to the beach or the pool, since it’s water resistant.

With SPF 50+ protection, you can rest assured that your skin will be shielded from the harshest of UV rays. Since this sunscreen is sold in stick form, it’s small enough to fit in most bags to be carried when on-the-go.

MEGASHADE Face Sunscreen

If you prefer a lightweight face sunscreen, you'll love this one from ZitSticka. It has SPF 50, protects from both UVA and UVB rays, and it's a serum, so you can wear it under moisturizers and makeup without it getting cakey and heavy. This one is specifically designed for sensitive and acne-prone skin, making it a particularly great choice if you're concerned about breaking out. If you plan on exercising outdoors, this sunscreen is sweat-resistant so you can spend more time enjoying your workout and less time worrying about whether or not your sweat is wiping off your sunscreen.

Mineral SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Face Lotion

If you want a mineral sunscreen without too much of a white cast, this Sun Bum sunscreen is a great choice. It has a matte finish, which leaves your skin feeling clean and soft, and it’s lightweight, so you won’t feel greasy even after reapplying. Since this uses zinc instead of a chemical formula, it’s also a great option for sensitive skin. Plus, it is water-resistant, so you can wear it at the beach or at a pool party for 80 minutes at a time, and has that delicious banana scent.

Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

This Ilia skin tint wears like a mix between a serum and foundation. It provides medium coverage, so it looks light and natural while also helping to even out your skin tone. With more than 30 shades to choose from, it is unlikely that you won’t be able to find one that will best suit your skin tone. It has SPF 40 and includes ingredients like niacinamide to improve texture and discoloration, and hyaluronic acid and squalane for hydration. This sunscreen is also a clean one as it is vegan and cruelty-free which is a bonus.

Tinted Sunscreen

If you're looking for a basic tinted sunscreen that won't break the bank, this CeraVe formula is a great choice. It only contains the physical filters Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, so you can rest assured that there will be no unnecessary ingredients sitting on top of your skin while you wear it. While it only comes in this one peachy tone, it actually works for a wide variety of skin colors, and helps even out skin tone instead of simply covering it up. It can also be worn under makeup or by itself depending on the look you’re going for.

Glowscreen SPF 40

This Supergoop primer not only helps protect your skin, but it also leaves you with a beautiful, luminous glow. While not technically tinted, it does have a pearlescent sheen that looks great when worn alone or under makeup. This formula also packs hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and niacinamide, all of which help keep your skin clear and bright. As an added bonus, it protects from blue light, which is especially helpful if you spend a lot of time in front of your computer or on your phone during the day.

Organic Makeup Setting Spray with SPF 30

If you wear makeup frequently—or are just looking for a setting spray for hot summer days—this one by Coola works great and has SPF 30 with both UVA and UVB protection. Not only will this water-resistant spray help prevent a makeup meltdown when the weather gets warm, but it also has a cooling effect on your face and leaves you with a hydrated, but still matte, finish. And, if you’re a person who likes products with fragrances or are looking to try a product with a scent, this one smells like green tea.

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