The Best Facial Sunscreens of 2024
From sailing and fishing to extended beach trips, adequately protecting your skin while outdoors is essential. The best way to safeguard your skin against sunburns and damage is with sunscreen, including formulas specifically made for your face. A facial sunscreen with a suitable SPF rating can play an essential role in protecting your skin from UV rays without causing irritation.
We reviewed the best facial sunscreens of 2024 and found that the EltaMD UV Clear sunscreen is an efficient formula that’s delicate enough for acne-prone skin, making it our best overall pick. Find your favorite with help from our reviews and buying guide.
Our Top Picks
- Facial Sunscreens: A Buyer's Guide
- 1 How Does Sunscreen Work?
- 2 What is There to Consider When Buying Facial Sunscreens?
- 3 Pick up the right SPF value
- 4 Be aware of the ingredients
- 5 Remember your skin type
- 6 Say no to alcohol
- 7 Add it to your make-up routine
- 8 Consider your level of sun exposure
- 9 Sports/swimming
- 10 Regular use
- 11 Outdoors
- 12 What Different Sunscreen Formulas Are Available?
- 13 Lotions
- 14 Sprays
- 15 Sticks
- 16 Tips for Using Sunscreen:
- 17 What's the Typical Price of Facial Sunscreen?
- FAQ
- Related Reads
The Best Facial Sunscreens
Best Overall
Dermatologists recommend this facial sunscreen to assist in protecting people with sensitive skin that is prone to rosacea, discoloration, and acne. It contains zinc oxide that offers broad-spectrum coverage and great protection from UVA and UVB rays directly coming from the sun.
This sunscreen can be used by people with oily and sensitive skin types without worrying about pimples or acne. As our face is the most sensitive part of the body, this sunscreen has no scent to keep the chemicals at a minimum. Moreover, follow the directions to avoid sunburn and reapply it every two hours for the best protection.
Key Features
- Oil-free formula protects sensitive skin
- Recommended by dermatologists
- Contain zinc oxide for broad-spectrum protection
- Scent-and-harmful chemical-free formula
Best Value
Experience the ultimate sun protection with the Dermafirm SPF 50+ Sunblock Cream. As a trusted companion, this sunblock preserves the health and beauty of your skin. Crafted with precision, this high-performance sunblock cream will shield against the sun’s harmful rays. It offers broad-spectrum protection that goes the extra mile. With an SPF over 50, this sunblock ensures that your skin is safe from both UVA and UVB rays.
As a result, this sunscreen reduces the risk of sunburn, premature aging, and potential skin damage. Not only does it offer robust sun protection but it also offers a lightweight and non-greasy formulation. This cream can give you a comfortable and moisturizing experience. Unlike some sunscreens that leave a sticky residue behind, this product is designed to be easily absorbed, making it a convenient addition to any daily skincare routine.
Key Features
- Provides a high level of sun protection
- Designed to protect against UVA and UVB
- Moisturizing and easy-to-apply formula
Best for Men
This SPF 30 facial sunscreen is manufactured in South Korea and designed specifically for men’s skincare. With its premium ingredients and a modern approach to grooming, Cardon aims to revolutionize your skincare routine and offer you a personal care experience like no other.
This facial sunscreen is formulated with cactus extract and chia seed oil – the ideal combination for providing all-day moisture to your skin. Cacti, in particular, is known for firming, soothing, and healing effects for any skin type. Moreover, this product is packed with essential vitamins A, K, E, and D as well as electrolytes, and its Korean-based formula is non-comedogenic, which prevents blocked pores.
Key Features
- Advanced Korean skincare brand for men
- Multi-functional grooming products
- Daily SPF + moisturizer with broad spectrum SPF 30
- Cactus extract and chia seed oil for hydration
Most Nourishing
Experience the ultimate sunscreen protection and skincare benefits with the ZitSticka MegaShade facial sunscreen serum. This product is specially designed for breakout-prone and sensitive skin, making it the perfect solution for your needs. The mineral-chemical hybrid formula ensures broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. Say goodbye to sun damage and hello to a luminous glow without any white cast. Its sheer-to-clear blending technique gives your skin a radiant and natural look.
This sunscreen is a true multitasker. Not only does it shield your skin from harmful UV rays, but it also soothes breakout-prone skin and brightens the appearance of dark spots. The intensely hydrating formula leaves your skin feeling nourished and promotes a supple bounce. It even doubles as a silky makeup primer, providing a smooth canvas for flawless application. It’s time to simplify your skincare routine with this 6-in-1 powerhouse.
Key Features
Most Lightweight
One of the problems with many facial sunscreens is that they’re quite thick and oily, but that’s not an issue with this Eryfotona Actinica facial sunscreen from Isdin. Designed to repair your skin after actinic damage and provide lightweight protection against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, this product contains a whole host of key active ingredients for protection and repair.
It features zinc oxide to block the sun’s rays, Vitamin E to boost the skin’s own defenses against environmental damage, and photolyase enzymes to repair sun damage on your skin. The lightweight formula makes it easy to apply, and the blend of efficient, high-quality ingredients ensures your skin stays protected while outdoors.
Key Features
- Very lightweight and not oily
- Easy to apply
- Powerful active ingredients
Most Moisturizing
The HydroPeptide Solar Defense facial sunscreen stands out from the crowd as one of the most effective sunscreens that also doubles as a skin moisturizer. With this product, not only do you get SPF 30 broad-spectrum protection but you can also soothing, nourishing essentials for skin health, too.
This sunscreen protects you from UV damage and fights the signs of aging at the same time. It contains key natural ingredients like cucumber, acai extract, and calendula to provide antioxidants. It’s also completely free of unwanted extras like parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. What’s more, it’s made in a cruelty-free way, perfect for people who care about animals or follow a vegan lifestyle.
Key Features
- 30 SPF protection
- Mineral sunscreen with no artificial fragrance
- Safe and cruelty-free formula
Most Gentle
Get the benefits of coconut water and organic aloe vera with this refreshing facial sunscreen from Coola that enhances beauty and makes you feel refreshed and rejuvenated. The organic ingredients in this water mist keep your skin hydrated and protect it against environmental and digital pollution (infrared, blue light, etc.). The combination of plant-derived actives and antioxidants mitigates the effects of sun exposure.
Its lightweight texture makes it compatible with all skin types, from normal, and combination to dry or oily. It also reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by hydrating the skin. Use this refreshing water mist and facial sunscreen as a part of your daily skincare routine and feel the difference.
Key Features
- Made from 70%+ organic ingredients
- Vegan-friendly, non-GMO, free of alcohol
- Cruelty-free testing
- Gives SPF 18 UVA/UVB protection
Most Versatile
The non-chemical formula of the Australian Gold sunscreen has an SPF 50 rating to protect your skin against harmful UV rays in scorching hot weather. It also contains zinc oxide and titanium oxide that provide great protection and deflects UVA & UVB rays to give a refreshing look. The weightless lotion easily blends and promotes a better complexion by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The sunscreen has a matte finish that acts like a BB cream or a foundation cream that does not clog your pores. In addition, it offers light coverage that can function as a base for your make-up look. People who have sensitive skin can use it regularly because it’s made of natural ingredients.
Key Features
- Contains Vitamin C content and Kakadu
- Mixture of antioxidant-rich botanicals
- Free of sulfates, paraben, phthalates, and oxybenzone
- Contain zinc oxide and titanium oxide
Best Quality
The Sun Bum facial sunscreen is a fragrance-free lotion with a 50 SPF rating that makes it safe for regular usage. The cream is approved by dermatologists and protects against UVA and UVB rays.
The lotion is water-resistant, reef-friendly, and provides an oil-free look suitable for all skin types. Moreover, it has Vitamin E that helps in moisturizing your skin. As it does not contain Octinoxate, oxybenzone, paraben, or gluten, you can have peace of mind using a safer sunscreen. For great sun protection, apply it after every two hours.
Key Features
- Oil-and-fragrance free formula
- Comes with an SPF50 rating
- Water-resistant and reef-friendly
- Free of parabens, oxybenzone, and octinoxate
- Vitamin E provides moisturization
Best Protection
This oil-free facial sunscreen lotion from Neutrogena protects your skin against the damage of UV rays. It also helps fight signs of aging like uneven skin tone, fine lines, and wrinkles caused by sun exposure.
The Helioplex technology of this sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. It has a lightweight, non-greasy formula and does not feel tacky or chalky. The application is so unnoticeable that people won’t even know you’ve applied anything on your face. Furthermore, it has a skin conditioner for hydrating the skin all day long.
Key Features
- Dermatologically tested
- Contain skin moisturizers that hydrate your skin
- Helioplex technology blocks UVA and UVB rays
- Fight the free-radical damage caused by the sun
- Lightweight, non-greasy, and oil-free formula
Best Ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross’s facial sunscreen is a great mineral SPF for sensitive skin because the zinc oxide formula is fragrance-free, oil-free, and reef-safe. This means that it includes nanoparticles that are bigger than 30 nanometers and are not absorbed by the skin.
Ingredients such as sea buckthorn and lingonberry, a cranberry-like plant native to the arctic tundra, will help protect your skin from free radicals and UV rays. This sunscreen contains transparent zinc oxide and powerful antioxidants that assist in keeping fine lines and wrinkles at bay. It’s lightweight and ultra-sheer, so it protects and hydrates skin at the same time.
Key Features
- Effective for all skin types
- Zinc oxide formula specifically protects sensitive skins
- Fragrance and all other harmful chemical-free
Dermatologically Tested
If you’re fed up trying hard to blend sunscreens, try this one from La-Roche Posay as the melt-in formula absorbs faster. It provides a velvety feel that leaves your skin smooth and hydrated. The lotion has an SPF 60 value and has a cell-ox-shield technology that offers broad-spectrum protection to protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays.
It also contains antioxidants as part of a formula that protects your skin from free radicals. You can use this on your body, face, and all skin types. Furthermore, it’s dermatologically tested and free of harsh chemicals, so you can use it with peace of mind.
Key Features
- Cell-ox shield technology
- Contains antioxidants
- Water-resistant for 80 minutes
- Dermatologically tested
- Paraben-, fragrance-, oxybenzone-, and octinoxate-free
Facial Sunscreens: A Buyer's Guide
How Does Sunscreen Work?
Sunscreen works by absorbing and blocking the UV rays via chemical and physical particles present inside the product. Physical particles such as titanium oxide and zinc oxide assist in reflecting the UV radiation from your skin. These particles also absorb the sun’s rays and release the energy in heat. Moreover, the chemical components inside the sunscreen react with radiation before it gets absorbed by the skin.
What is There to Consider When Buying Facial Sunscreens?
Pick up the right SPF value
Both UVA and UVB rays are the reason behind skin cancer. The UVA rays are behind the wrinkles and speed up aging signs. In comparison, the UVB rays cause sunburns. Dr. Alex Trevatt, MD, Director of Avon Aesthetics, further details that “UVB has a shorter wavelength and damages the outermost layers of the skin. Its intensity fluctuates and is strongest during the summer. UVA has a longer wavelength and penetrates deeper into the skin.”
According to dermatologists, a person should use sunscreen with a minimum of 30 SPF rating as it offers 97% protection from the UVB rays of the sun. People who have skin burns more and have fair skin should use high SPFs. Remember that no sunscreen can help you block 100% of the sun rays.
Be aware of the ingredients
Have a quick look at the ingredients that ensure great coverage and quality as per your need. Ensure that you get UVA and UVB protection; it is only possible when you buy a product that provides broad-spectrum protection. Mineral sunscreen uses natural minerals like titanium oxide or zinc oxide that reflect the harmful sun rays from your skin.
Moreover, the chemical sunscreen utilizes compounds like avobenzone, biscotizole, and bemotrizinol that offer great broad-spectrum protection. It’s better to avoid buying sunscreen with ingredients like oxybenzone which is the reason behind the allergic skin reaction and may cause hormone disruption.
Remember your skin type
Most sunscreens are specially made for oily, dry, and sensitive skin. Many certified dermatologists say that people with dry skin should avoid buying products that have ingredients such as oils, silicones, glycerin, aloe, lanolin, and alcohol.
People with oily skin should buy lightweight gel lotions that contain isododecane or silica. Avoid buying mineral sunscreen that contains preservatives, alcohol, zinc oxide, and titanium oxide. In addition, picking a product that’s free of fragrance and hypoallergenic is the right option for sensitive skin people.
Say no to alcohol
If you are a person who suffers from rosacea and acne, you have to avoid sunscreen that contains alcohol. Find out the gel formulas that contain alcohol that should not trigger acne. Moreover, if a person with acne uses any cream or medication, a light cream assists in balancing out the drying effects of the acne medication.
Add it to your make-up routine
Add sunscreen to your daily morning make-up routine to keep your skin protected and healthy. Experts suggest applying sunscreen under your make-up and a protective moisturizer or after the moisturizer. You have to apply it to your neck, face, and ears. Let the sunscreen soak, and to clean any leftovers use a tissue. Remember to wash the sunscreen from your hands when applying makeup.
Consider your level of sun exposure
When purchasing sunscreen, you have to note your daily sun exposure levels. Below are some of the situations you need to consider:
Sports/swimming
When going out for sports or in water, pick a sweat-resistant or water-resistant sunscreen. Go with SPF 30 according to your color and reapply it after every 40 to 60 minutes.
Regular use
You should apply sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15 daily.
Outdoors
If you go outdoors most of the time, buy sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher as per your skin color and the weather conditions.
What Different Sunscreen Formulas Are Available?
Lotions
It’s one of the most common and moisturizing formulations. You can conveniently apply it to your hand and body parts like the face, neck, and ear. People with various types of skin can buy it in different variants.
Sprays
Sunscreen sprays are a good choice for those who have lots of hair on their body. It is perfect for applying sunscreen due to hard-to-reach places on your body. Moreover, ensure that you don’t inhale spray when applying it.
Sticks
It’s portable and acts as a less messy option. Sunscreen sticks are a convenient option that is perfect for traveling and has few chances of leakage.
Tips for Using Sunscreen:
The tips you should follow for properly using facial sunscreen are:
- Use sunscreen in every season.
- When wearing swimwear on the exposed part of the body, use two tablespoons of sunscreen on the exposed parts of the body. If using the sunscreen spray, spray it evenly on your entire body.
- Apply sunscreen on body parts like feet, ears, neck, hands, and head’s top if your skin is exposed.
- On all of your exposed body parts, apply a base coat of SPF 15 a minimum of half an hour before going out into the sun. Again, use sunscreen after every two hours.
- Don’t forget to reapply the sunscreen right after excessive swimming, sweating, or toweling off. Follow the guidelines for reapplication available on the label.
What’s the Typical Price of Facial Sunscreen?
The price for the facial sunscreen is between $11 to $30. The difference in the cost is due to the features you get inside the lotion, the quantity you buy, and the SPF value. The sunscreen available in a high amount costs you more than the less quantity. Sunscreens that are oxybenzone, octinoxate, fragrance, and greasy-free offer better quality and cost a lot more. Some manufacturers also offer bundles that offer two or more products in a single bundle that provide great value for invested money.
FAQ
How do I pick sunscreen for my face?
When choosing, pick a high SPF 30 or higher sunscreen that gets easily absorbed, like the sunscreen gel with SPF 50, ideal for oily skin. Irrespective of the skin tone, you get protection from UV rays when using sunscreen.
Is sunscreen the reason behind skin darkening?
If your sunscreen stresses your skin, it may be the reason behind your skin's darkening. Moreover, sunscreen can cause hormonal skin darkening if there is a hormonally-active ingredient such as oxybenzone.
Can I use sunscreen without a moisturizer?
When using a chemical sunscreen, you should first apply a moisturizer. This step is important for protection and happens when chemical sunscreen gets absorbed inside the skin. However, if using physical sunscreen, such as mineral sunscreen, apply the moisturizer after the sunscreen.