Dermatologists Say These Are The Best Sunscreens To Avoid Greasy Skin

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Finding the perfect sunscreen is not easy, particularly if you have oily skin. Many sunscreens leave a film on the skin, which, on some people, can give the skin a healthy, glowing appearance. Oily skin is already glowy enough on its own, so the best sunscreens for oily skin have to strike a balance between sun protection and oil control.

As much as I want to love glowy sunscreens, they’re just not for me – or my oily skin. Most sunscreens make my face look extra greasy, which is something that happens inevitably to me as the day goes on. Thick, creamy sunscreens are a recipe for a makeup meltdown, but luckily there are certain sunscreen formulations that are better suited for oily skin. jbfjnjkfnk

What to look for when shopping for sunscreen for oily skin

The best sunscreens for oily skin are typically gel or matte formulations, which blend and absorb quickly into the skin instead of just sitting on the surface looking shiny. "My favorite sunscreens for acne prone skin are physical (instead of chemical) sunscreens as they don’t react with retinol products and delicate acneic skin," says dermatologist Dr. Lori Aliksanian, a dermatologist at MedBeautyLA in Los Angeles, California.

Dr. Mona Gohara, a dermatologist based in Hamden, Connecticut, recommends looking for the words "oil-free" or "ultra-light," which are less likely to clog pores and lead to excess sebum production. Powder formulas are also a great product to use on-the-go to absorb oil throughout the day.

Over the years, I’ve tried hundreds of sunscreens for oily skin, and let me tell you: the formulations have only gotten better and better. Modern matte sunscreen formulations are smooth and blendable without being over-the-top creamy. To find out the best sunscreens for oily skin, I also consulted with top dermatologists to spill their secrets on the formulations they recommend the most to their patients with oily skin. Read on to discover the sunscreen formulations that play nicely with oily skin.

Mineral Mattescreen

Beauty contributor Cristina Montemayor has tried tons of matte sunscreens, but she always comes back to Mineral Matte Screen from Supergoop. It’s a mineral sunscreen, but unlike many mineral sunscreens, it actually easily blends into the skin without too much buffing or rubbing, at which point it’s nearly undetectable on the skin, she says.

The mousse-like formula is flesh-toned in color but blends away into nothingness, so it’s wearable across a wide variety of skin tones. "My favorite thing about this sunscreen is that it truly disappears into the skin without leaving a trace," she says. "It very much agrees with my oily skin and leaves behind a soft, velvet-y finish. I truly forget that I’m wearing it, which is the marker of a great sunscreen."

HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36

A good tinted sunscreen is the key to the feeling confident without wearing a stitch of makeup—at any age. For light to medium skin tones, this sunscreen provides sun protection and an amazing glow. The tint covers just enough to even out your skin tone without looking cakey or heavy. The golden undertone gives your complexion a healthy sun-kissed finish.

Multiple reviewers say they receive compliments on their skin whenever they’re wearing this sunscreen without any additional makeup. Our only gripe with this product is that we wish it came in more shades because the tint isn’t universal. However, associate fashion and commerce editor Lily Wohlner is a huge fan of it because it doesn't make her acne-prone and oily skin break out. "This one does just the opposite and makes my skin look smooth and clear without promoting oil or making my skin appear greasy," she says. "I love that it has a blurring effect, and it's not super full-coverage, so it looks natural without accentuating any acne marks or blemishes."

Daily SPF30 Lotion

If sunscreens tend to clog your pores and lead to breakouts, we recommend this colorless sunscreen from Face Reality. It provides UVA and UVB protection with antioxidant benefits. Green tea extract and allantoin helps to calm and soothe skin irritation while restoring hydration. These anti-inflammatory ingredients also completely eliminate the stinging sensation that you get with some sunscreens. Plus, it doesn’t leave a white cast, even on medium to dark skin tones.

Assistant love and life editor Addison Aloian says she's been wearing this sunscreen for years because it's one of the only sunscreens that's never made her break out. "Its matte application helps my skin look less oily too, plus, it just feels less oily than a lot of sunscreens." Aloian also says it layers well over other products, like moisturizer, and under makeup. "I swear it even gives me a glow!" she adds.

Physical Matte UV Defense SPF 50

Oily skin and enlarged pores go hand in hand, but luckily this 100 percent physical sunscreen tackles both to keep your skin smooth and shine-free all day long. We love the mousse-like texture, which creates a beautiful base for makeup.

The best part about this sunscreen for oily skin its that it contains aerated silica, which absorbs up to 15 times its weight in oil. This ensures a long-lasting matte finish even in hot, humid conditions. Montemayor lives in Texas, and this is the only sunscreen that she wears in the summer when the temperatures hit triple digits, she says. "I love keeping it with me throughout the day to touch up for added sun protection and to reduce shine," she adds.

Brush-On Sunscreen Mineral Powder

Generally, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours when you’re outdoors. If you wear makeup, the last thing you want is to smear sunscreen all over your freshly contoured face. This powder offers powerful SPF 50 UVA/UVB protection that reapplies easily over makeup. Montemayor loves carrying this powder in her purse when she knows she's going to be out all day for a quick boost of shine-eliminating sun protection.

Because it’s a powder, it doesn’t sting or smell like other sunscreens, and the active ingredients are mineral-based and benzone-free. The powder instantly absorbs any oils that may be sitting on the surface of the skin for a shine-free finish. While we don’t recommend it as your primary method of sun protection, it’s a great touch-up product for on-the-go reapplication.

ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen

This feels more like a lightweight serum than a sunscreen, which is one of the reasons why Montemayor loves it. It has a thin consistency, which makes it truly melt into the skin. Not greasy or thick, it also doesn’t leave a white cast like some mineral sunscreens.

"When I was suffering from acne, this was the only sunscreen I could use that didn’t make my skin break out more or irritate any active breakouts," Montemayor says. Loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, and soothing chamomile, this sunscreen instantly soothes any red, sensitive skin and sinks in quickly. It’s extremely gentle and goes on super smooth. "I can wear it alone or under makeup, and it doesn’t feel heavy or cakey," Montemayor adds. "A staple in my skincare routine, I’ve repurchased this sunscreen more than once and I will continue to do so until the end of time."

Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 35

Sure, you can find affordable sunscreens for under $15, but if you don’t actually enjoy wearing it, it’s not really doing you any favors. If you’re ready to find a sunscreen you love and are willing to pay a little extra for it, this one from SkinMedica will do. It’s oil-free and non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores or contribute to breakouts. For those with super sensitive skin, it's also hypoallergenic and fragrance and paraben-free.

"I first discovered this sunscreen when my esthetician applied it after a facial where she performed extractions all over my face," Montemayor says. "After such an extensive facial, I thought the sunscreen would at least sting a little, but it actually felt soothing on my skin." You can thank the green tea and caffeine for that, which calms irritation and reduces inflammation." I took a bottle home with me that day and it’s been a staple in my routine ever since," Montemayor adds.

Make It Matte SPF 45

If you’re a person of color on the hunt for a sunscreen that doesn't leave you looking like Casper the Friendly Ghost, meet Make It Matte from Black Girl Sunscreen. It’s a lightweight gel formula that leaves a true matte finish to the skin. It goes on so smoothly and so easily—and most importantly, no white cast. Seriously. Not even a hint of color.

It allows your true skin color to shine through, minus the actual shine. The thin consistency and matte finish makes it the perfect product to use under makeup, and it almost acts a barrier between your sebum glands and your makeup, ensuring no oil reaches the surface.

Refreshing Water Plumping Gel Serum Sunscreen SPF 30

This sunscreen doesn’t feel like a typical sunscreen, thanks to its' gel-like serum texture. Infused with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, organic aloe, and organic coconut water, this hydrating serum sunscreen boosts the skin’s water retention while also providing SPF 30 protection.

"In all my years of testing the best sunscreens for oily skin, I’ve never once described a sunscreen as 'refreshing,' but that’s exactly what this sunscreen feels like on the skin," Montemayor says. If you’re someone that hates the texture of sunscreens, give this one a try.

UV Clear Face Sunscreen

According to dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, EltaMD Clear is “the perfect formulation for acne-prone skin.” We couldn’t agree more; it’s one of our favorite sunscreens particularly if you’re acne-prone and oily. It features niacinamide, which is an anti-inflammatory ingredient you’re probably already familiar with if you suffer from acne. It helps reduce the appearance of blemishes and pores while also minimizing excess oil production.

Like the name suggests, the formula applies totally clear, so it’s great for all skin tones and doesn’t leave a white cast. The pump dispenses a perfect nickel-sized amount, which is enough to cover the face, neck, and ears. While this sunscreen is expensive compared to other sunscreens on the market, it’s one several editors always come back to because it always delivers.

Mineral Sunscreen

Dr. Gohara loves this ultra-light mineral sunscreen for oily skin because it goes on transparent and it’s easy to layer. The main ingredient is zinc oxide, which helps filter harmful UV rays and also contains antimicrobial properties. Reviewers say wearing this sunscreen daily actually helped heal their breakouts faster and that it doesn’t cause irritation or make their skin more oily.

It can be difficult to find a mineral sunscreen that does not feel sticky and actually sinks into the skin without leaving it looking shiny on the surface, but this one you can barely feel once it’s rubbed in. Great for everyday wear, you'll like that this sunscreen doesn’t burn around the eyes and sits beautifully underneath foundation without getting greasy.

Mineral Tinted Crème SPF 30 Sunscreen

One of dermatologist Jaimie Glick’s favorite sunscreen brands is MDSolarSciences because they offer oil-free mineral-based sunscreens. “I loved the tinted version, Mineral Tinted Crème SPF 30, because it is also helpful to cover up those left over dark spots from acne as they heal,” Dr. Glick says.

This lightweight sunscreen contains a blend of powerful antioxidants and calming ingredients like vitamin C, green tea, cranberry fruit, and pomegranate extract to soothe skin while protecting it from harmful UVA/UVB rays. It feels lightweight on the skin and is prefect on those days when you don’t want to wear makeup, but you want to add a little color to your face.

Rave Review: "Great sunscreen! I have very sensitive acne and eczema-prone skin and this sunscreen didn’t irritate my skin or make me break out."

How we chose the best sunscreen for oily skin

Women’s Health editors researched and tested the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated sunscreens for oily skin. Our team consulted three dermatologists, tested products ourselves, and evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the 12 best sunscreens for oily skin for a wide range of skincare needs and budget preferences.

Meet the experts

• Lori Aliksanian, MD, is a dermatologist at MedBeautyLA in Los Angeles, California.

• Mona Gohara, MD, is a dermatologist based in Hamden, Connecticut, vice president of the Women’s Dermatologic Society, and a member of the Women’s Health advisory board.

• Jaimie Glick, MD, is a dermatologist at New York Dermatology Group in New York.

How to choose the best sunscreen for oily skin

If you have oily skin and are looking for a sunscreen that won't make your skin look even more shiny, there are a few things you'll want to consider:

Formula

Look for lighter formulations, like lightweight lotions, gels, or powders. Avoid anything that's too creamy or moisturizing, since you probably don't need any help in that department. "It is important to look for oil-free and non-comedogenic products," says Dr. Glick. These types of products can help control oil production.

SPF

For daily use, you'll want to pick a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, choose a product with SPF 60 or greater. An SPF of 30 or higher allows for over 98 percent of sun protection from UVB light, says Dr. Glick. "You also want to make sure you are using broad spectrum sunscreens that cover both UVA and UVB light, which mineral sunscreens do," she adds.

Key Ingredients

Mineral sunscreens tend to be better for oily skin because the ingredients (zinc oxide or titanium oxide) are often more drying than chemical sunscreens. Dr. Aliksanian also prefers physical (AKA mineral) sunscreens over chemical sunscreens, as they don’t react with retinol products and delicate acneic skin.

P.S. If you have sensitive skin, you'll also want a sunscreen formulation that contains additional calming ingredients like green tea, aloe vera, or niacinamide.

Can I skip moisturizer and use sunscreen for oily skin?

It depends on the skin type and product, but Dr. Glick usually recommends against it. "I would not skip a moisturizer as moisturizers are important to keep your skin barrier intact which is important for overall skin and microbiome health and acne prevention," Dr. Glick explains. She recommends choosing a lighter moisturizer or one that penetrates a bit deeper, so it doesn't feel that the moisturizer sits on your skin, worsening the oil.

Also, Dr. Aliksanian advises against skipping all products with oil. "Patients with acne tend to think they are oily and should avoid all products containing oil, but this often makes the skin compensate by becoming even oilier to protect itself," she says. A lightweight moisturizer applied prior to sunscreen will help keep the skin‘s oil balance.

Why trust Women's Health

Cristina Montemayor is a freelance writer and journalist living in Austin, Texas, covering beauty, grooming, style, and culture. Her work has appeared in Men's Health, Women's Health, Fashionista, BRIDES, and BeautyMatter, among others.

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