We Tested 20 Sunscreens for the Face — Here Are the 8 We Recommend

If you’re wondering why you should use a separate sunscreen for your face and body, there are legitimate differences between the two formulas. “Many facial sunscreens are formulated with ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid, which have added benefits for facial skin,” says Melanie Palm, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Art of Skin MD in San Diego, California. “For these reasons, you’ll find facial sunscreens are typically more expensive per ounce.” This CeraVe sunscreen provides those beneficial ingredients while managing to stay more affordable than others.

It’s also a 100 percent mineral sunscreen, but don’t fret if you’re concerned about potential white cast: It’s tinted, which I found evened out skin tone without leaving any white residue or streaks. It also made my skin feel softer and more hydrated, yet didn’t cause any irritation, breakouts, or other adverse reactions. It was gentle, lightweight, and quick to dry when I tested it.

Once blended in, it gave my skin a subtle but flattering glow — one I’d described as a “your skin but better” type of look. However, it took a bit longer to fully rub in compared with others I tested, and it’s only available in three shades.

Though it’s a sunscreen, I found myself comparing this formula to makeup. It hydrated my skin, provided coverage, and gave a beautiful, bronzy glow, which reminded me of a BB cream ("beauty balm" or "blemish balm") rather than a typical sunscreen. In fact, the tint was more intense than others I tested.

In terms of consistency, I found the texture nearly weightless. It wasn’t heavy or thick on my skin, which may come in handy for those with oily skin or during the summer months. Some might even find this formula too thin — it has a runny, water-like consistency, which comes in handy for blending in, but also gets messy to apply. It’s also only available in four shades.

This EltaMD sunscreen was particularly popular among the dermatologists we spoke to, who recommended it for its hydrating ingredients. “I’m a big fan of EltaMD’s entire line and use their sunscreen products in my routine regularly,” Dr. Palm says. “This lightweight formula is hydrating, comfortable to use, and layers really well under makeup.”

A standout ingredient that makes it so hydrating, and therefore suitable for those with dry skin, is hyaluronic acid, Dr. Reed says. Hyaluronic acid works by binding to water to hydrate skin.

I found that this product lives up to its promises to soften and moisturize. Even though the consistency is more lightweight, it reduced dryness and made my skin feel more moisturized. It was extremely easy to apply and required little to no effort to blend in. It has the opaque white look that sunscreen typically has — and even a slight sunscreen smell — but it reminded me more of applying a moisturizer. Once I applied it, it disappeared onto my skin, leaving no white cast.

This is also a great example of a hybrid or combination sunscreen, meaning it contains both mineral and chemical sunscreen filters. “Most cosmetically elegant sunscreens are often a combination of the two,” Reed says. If you can’t decide between chemical and mineral sunscreens, maybe try one like this that provides both.

Your skin type can help determine the best sunscreen for your face. “Some sunscreens are targeted to help mattify the skin and will share this on the label, with ingredients such as silica or dimethicone,” Reed says. Supergoop! Mineral Mattescreen sunscreen contains both, making it a mattifying option that reduces shine while protecting your skin from the sun. It’s also a 100 percent mineral, tinted formula, so it’s a more gentle option and one that’s less likely to leave any sort of white cast.

We found this sunscreen best for oily skin because it also had a blurring effect on the skin, which helped to reduce the appearance of pores. “Its blurring effect works wonders, and it’s super lightweight,” says Ashley Ziegler, an editor at Everyday Health who tested this sunscreen. It also didn’t add any sort of glow or dewiness, which those with oily skin may appreciate. Since it’s advertised as being a makeup primer, Ziegler tested it under makeup and found those claims to be true, making it a multitasker.

This sunscreen ended up being more than a sunscreen to us — it offers blurred pores, primes the skin for makeup, and tints the skin. The catch? It only comes in one shade.

Everyday Health writer Raki Swanson tested this sunscreen on her sensitive skin and found that it didn’t trigger any sort of irritation or rash. It also lived up to its sun protection promises. “I did not get any sunburn during my testing, and I was outside all of those days,” Swanson says. This gave us confidence in its efficacy.

One thing that surprised us about this sunscreen was how thin the consistency was. Being a 100 percent mineral sunscreen, you might expect it to be thick, goopy, and greasy, but that wasn’t our experience at all. “It’s watery and not as thick as your average sunscreen,” Swanson says. This made it easier to apply. Just keep in mind that this one has the potential for a white cast because it’s not tinted, though we were able to minimize this by thoroughly rubbing it in.

How to choose the best sunscreen for your face when you have acne-prone skin? “If you’re acne-prone, looking for a noncomedogenic formula is key,” Palm says. This refers to ingredients that can clog pores and contribute to breakouts. With the word “clear” in the name, it’s no surprise that this Neutrogena sunscreen is acne-friendly and free from pore-clogging ingredients. It’s also Reed’s recommended sunscreen for those with acne-prone skin because it’s lightweight, mattifying, and oil-free.

Everyday Health writer Mary Sauer tested this sunscreen on oily skin and found that it didn’t cause any breakouts or adverse reactions. “It was sheer, and I didn't feel greasy or oily at all,” Sauer says. It was also easy to apply and rub in, and we liked that it absorbed quickly, so we didn’t have to wait for it to dry down.

Just keep in mind that this is a 100 percent chemical sunscreen, which may not be ideal for those with sensitive skin.

The best sunscreen for darker skin may be different than those that are more suitable for lighter skin tones. “White cast can be seen on more pigmented skin,” Reed says. This isn’t only frustrating — it can be a deterrent to using sunscreen in general for some people. Fortunately, Black Girl Sunscreen Moisturizing Sunscreen lotion exists to address this issue.

LT, a writer for Everyday Health, tested Black Girl Sunscreen Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion on her own melanin-rich skin. “It’s an extremely sheer sunscreen that leaves no white residue,” Fleming says. “It blends into my skin quickly and rubs in clear.” In addition to zero white cast, it was lightweight yet moisturizing, leaving Fleming’s skin looking vibrant and feeling soft and smooth despite its airiness.

With its pleasant application, we could see this formula working for most skin types. This sunscreen may be particularly ideal for those who don't want to feel like they have anything additional on their skin, according to Fleming. However, it’s a chemical formula, so it may not be a top choice among those with sensitive skin.

We mainly tested sunscreen lotions for the face, but this powder sunscreen surprised us. Applying sunscreen over makeup is a common concern, so we wanted to include a product that addresses this problem. Everyday Health editor Katie Tuttle put this brush-on sunscreen from Colorescience to the test and declared that it’s just the thing for midday touchups.

“It’s easy to apply alone or over makeup,” Tuttle says. Even without needing your hands to rub it in, it blended in pretty quickly and evenly, she added. Perhaps even more impressive was its staying power. “I was very skeptical that I wouldn't sweat this off within 20 minutes, but it held up quite well during regular walks,” Tuttle says. It’s also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

This brush-on sunscreen is also a strong pick for oily skin, Palm says. “It absorbs oil while providing excellent mineral-based sunscreen protection.”.

There were a few downsides to note, however. Though convenient and portable, powder sunscreen isn’t always practical. “It does emphasize dry skin patches,” Tuttle says. “I'm also skeptical that one can apply powder in a thick enough layer to fully take advantage of this product's SPF of 50.”