The most important step in every skincare routine: face sunscreen. Wearing and reapplying a daily sunscreen can help protect your skin from sun damage and prevent premature aging. Whether you’re headed out for a day swimming at the beach or dodging puddles in the rain, sun exposure of any kind can be damaging, so finding a solid sunscreen routine is crucial. As important as wearing a facial sunscreen is, the greasy feeling, clogged pores, and oily shine some leave behind can make you want to skip that step altogether. That’s why it’s important to find a product you actually want to wear every day.
To help you discover your new favorite face SPF, our editors tested dozens of top-selling sunscreens on the market, wearing them on planes, to the park, the beach, the gym, and everywhere in between to see which performed the best. We tested a mix of both chemical and mineral sunscreens, as well as varying formulas—from invisible gels and sticks to tinted moisturizers. We also consulted an expert dermatologist to help guide our search, keeping key ingredients and SPF protection levels in mind. And we made sure to find options for every skin type—whether your skin is more dry, oily, sensitive, or requires a mineral formula, we’ve got you covered. Below, the 11 best face sunscreens to throw in your Dopp kit or beach bag this summer and beyond.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
FAQ:
What should I look for in a face sunscreen?
I asked Dr. Cybele Fishman, an aesthetic and medical dermatologist, for guidance on what to look for when shopping for a new face sunscreen. “SPF only measures protection to UVB, not UVA, and UVA is a risk factor for melanoma, as well as aging of the skin,” Dr. Fishman says. “So it’s important to look for a sunscreen that says broad spectrum and is above SPF 30.”
How much sunscreen should I apply?
When it comes to how much sunscreen you should be using, Dr. Fishman recommends more than you might think—about a shot glass worth, or two tablespoons, every two hours to be most effective.
Are mineral sunscreens better for you?
Dr. Fishman prefers a mineral sunscreen for all skin types: “No one is allergic to zinc and titanium—they are inert. Oxybenzone is a common cause of contact allergy and is bad for coral reefs. Plus, mineral sunscreen blocks both UVA and UBV,” she says. But if your favorite sunscreen is made with chemical ingredients, don’t worry: “The best sunscreen is the one you will actually use,” Dr. Fishman says. “So for me, the important thing is that you find something you like that has broad spectrum coverage (UVA and UVB) and is above SPF 30.”
More sun care recommendations:
Don’t forget to put sunscreen on any exposed skin (face, neck, and hands) when you’re in a car. Dr. Fishman warns that UVA gets through windows, meaning you need sun protection whether you’re in the passenger seat on a cross-country road trip or driving to the grocery store.
Our top picks:
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
Tested by: Meaghan Kenny, associate commerce editor
Type of protection: Chemical
Strength: Broad spectrum SPF 40
Stand-out features: Completely invisible, feels weightless, and performs well for all skin types and tones
Why we recommend it: Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen is a long-time cult favorite among Condé Nast Traveler editors. It lives up to its name, going on as a completely invisible, smooth gel, no matter your skin tone. Designed for all skin types, this Supergoop classic works for anyone looking for a new daily sunscreen, and is both reef-safe and oil-free. It feels similar to a makeup primer on your skin and provides waterproof SFP 40 coverage. I’ve tested out dozens of face sunscreens over the years, and while there’s lots of great ones on the market, I always come back to this reliable old friend. Bonus: It layers well underneath makeup, too.
Colorscience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50
Tested by: Megan Spurrell, senior editor
Type of protection: Mineral
Strength: Broad spectrum SPF 50
Stand-out features: Tone-adapting color coverage, protects against blue light and pollution, oil-free
Why we recommend it: You might have seen one of the several viral TikTok videos about the somewhat magical color-changing abilities of Colorescience’s Sunforgettable mineral sunscreen. We decided to put it to the test ourselves and see what all the hype was about. At first, Traveler’s senior editor, Megan Spurrell, was a little skeptical of how liquidy the formula is (you need to pour it into the center of our hand as opposed to onto a fingertip.) She was pleasantly surprised, though, noting that this makes it easy to blend in and soak into the skin smoothly. “The color-changing feature, though, is sort of miraculous. It appears speckled white in my hand, but changes to my skin tone once on my face. There’s no white cast, but subtle coverage, and my skin feels hydrated without being greasy. It’s kind of amazing,” says Spurrell. It layers well under makeup, but it shines all on its own, making it a great face makeup replacement if a tinted moisturizer is more your thing. It’s available in four shades—fair, medium, tan, and deep—which may not sound like an impressive range, but given its ability to perfectly adapt to your skin tone, it works for everyone.
Supergoop! Mineral Unseen Sunscreen
Tested by: Mercedes Bleth, global associate director of social
Type of protection: Mineral
Strength: SPF 40
Stand-out features: Leaves no white cast, feels so lightweight, and blends in effortlessly
Why we recommend it: If you’re on team mineral sunscreen, you may have envied your friends who have been wearing and swearing by Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen for years—Mercedes Bleth, our global associate director of social, sure did. At last, her prayers have been answered. The SPF brand recently launched a 100 percent mineral version of its best-selling chemical formula. The texture is a little different than the original Unseen, which is a gel. The mineral version is more like a mousse (and has a very similar texture to Supergoop’s Mineral Mattescreen). With a velvety smooth texture, it blends in effortlessly (even underneath makeup) and leaves absolutely no white cast behind, a stand-out feature mineral sunscreen-wearers must see to believe. It’s not one bit oily, so if “dew” is something you’re looking for, you won’t get it with this sunscreen. “It is truly, the perfect every day mineral sunscreen,” says Bleth.
Mustela SPF 50 mineral sunscreen stick
Tested by: Hannah Towey, associate editor, transportation and travel news
Type of protection: Mineral
Strength: Broad spectrum SPF 50
Stand-out features: Gentle enough for babies and kids, can be used on the face and body, fragrance-free
Why we recommend it: If you’re looking for a compact face stick to throw in a small beach bag or fanny pack, consider this small-but-mighty gem from Mustela. A sunscreen stick is great option for on-the-go travelers or busy parents—your hands stay clean and you can easily re-apply it. This has become a go-to for Traveler’s associate editor of transportation and travel news, Hannah Towey: “For a mineral Zinc sunscreen made with 70 percent natural ingredients, this is about as sheer and lightweight as you can get. It does leave a faint white cast (hard to avoid when it comes to mineral sunscreens), but is quite easy to blend in.” We especially love that its safe to use on babies, children, and anyone with sensitive-skin, making it a packing list staple for family vacations. “If you’re someone who, like me, has been wanting to make the jump from chemical to mineral sunscreens but would prefer to avoid that cakey white cast, this sheer formula makes the transition less daunting,” says Towey. She even wore it while surging at Rockaway Beach this spring (its water-resistant for up to 80 minutes). Towey did note that its not a sunscreen she would layer under makeup—it’s much better suited for outdoor activities and beach days instead.
Kinfield Daily Dew
Tested by: Mercedes Bleth, global associate director of social
Type of protection: Mineral
Strength: Broad spectrum SPF 30
Stand-out features: It smells amazing, is super hydrating, and leaves no white cast
Why we recommend it: A favorite of Bleth’s for years, the Kinfield Daily Dew continues to earn a place among our top face sunscreens. If you’re acne-prone, have sensitive skin, or are allergic to chemical sunscreen, this reef-safe, 100 percent mineral formula is for you. Its sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and feels a little bit thicker than your everyday sunscreen, making it an ideal choice for your most active days—swimming, surfing, or hiking. The hydrating, sport-ready sunscreen leaves your skin feeling hydrating and dewy without any streaks in sight. Oh, and it smells so so good.
Dune The Mug Guard
Tested by: Matt Ortile, associate editor
Type of protection: Chemical
Strength: Broad spectrum SPF 30
Stand-out features: Neutralizes redness, helps reduce fine line and wrinkles, non-pilling
Why we recommend it: Here’s an SPF that acts a whole lot like a moisturizer. Associate editor Matt Ortile appreciates how quickly and evenly this skincare-forward sunscreen from Dune dries down—and without feeling greasy, oily, or leaving a white cast. “The texture feels like any other great face moisturizer: lightweight and a tiny bit refreshing. Makes sense, since the bottle touts ‘72-hour hydration,’” he says. There’s also a green tint to the sunscreen itself, which helps neutralize any redness on your skin. “Given its lightweight feeling and easy-to-apply consistency, this invisible gel sunscreen is great for everyday use,” says Ortile.
La Roche Posay Anthelios UV Hydra Sunscreen SPF 50
Tested by: Jessica Chapel, editorial assistant
Type of protection: Chemical
Strength: Broad spectrum SPF 50
Stand-out features: Packed with hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E, layers well underneath makeup, and features an easy-to-open, leakproof bottle
Why we recommend it: If you’re searching for a daily sunscreen packed with key skincare ingredients for extra hydration, this might just be your new favorite. “The formula feels different from other sunscreens I’ve used, probably due to the inclusion of hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. It provides immediate moisture and takes a bit longer to dry down, but this can be a positive for anyone wanting to achieve a dewy look,” says editorial assistant Jessica Chapel. Hyaluronic acid helps leave the skin looking plump and glowy, making it a great ingredient for our friends with dry skin. La Roche Posay designed this formula with all skin types and tones in mind, all while providing SPF 50 protection. “My face was completely burn-free after spending all day in the park for one of the first warmer days in NYC of the season,” says Chapel.
CeraVe Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Tested by: Meaghan Kenny, associate commerce editor
Type of protection: Hybrid of chemical and mineral
Strength: Broad spectrum SPF 40
Stand-out features: Safe for sensitive, dry, and acne-prone skin; designed for the face and body
Why we recommend it: I’ve been a trusted devotee to CeraVe for years; the brand continues to win me over with its gentle everyday skincare products that keep sensitive skin top of mind (especially its Moisturizing Cream and Resurfacing Retinol Serum). I had high hopes that its Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen would perform just as well—and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Its made with a smart hybrid formula, blending both chemical and mineral sunscreen ingredients, to deliver great protection while still looking almost invisible on the skin. Its contains essential ceramides and niacinamide, meaning its treating my skin well while providing SPF 30 protection. The formula is liquidy and leaves a very slight white cast, but it blends in seamlessly and dries down pretty quick. It doesn’t feel greasy and I’ve worn it both on its own and underneath makeup. Its water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so I’ll be throwing it in my beach bag for trips down the shore all summer long. What I love most is that its designed for both the face and body. I usually don’t like to use the same type of sunscreen on my face that I use on my body, as it typically will clog my pores or cause irritation, but here’s my all-in-one exception to the rule.
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Tested by: Rebecca Misner, senior features editor
Type of protection: Mineral
Strength: Broad spectrum SPF 46
Stand-out features: Fragrance- and oil-free, pump dispenser, packed with niacinamide
Why we recommend it: Senior features editor Rebecca Misner raves about the EltaMD UV Clear sunscreen; its a crucial first step in her daily skincare routine rain or shine, with or without makeup. The lightweight, oil-free formula glides on easily and blends it quickly—without a white cast left behind. It has a very sheet tint—which helps even out your skin tone without covering it up and leaves a subtle glow behind. “It’s sheer enough that my husband and teenage son both use it and don’t feel like they’re putting on makeup,” says Misner. She also likes that the 1.7-ounce bottle with a pump dispenser is great for travel—it doesn’t leak and you can toss it right in your carry-on. Safe for acne-prone and sensitive skin, this EltaMD favorite contains high-purity niacinamide that helps reduce the appearance of discoloration and smooths the skin. “I notice I don’t need to wear as much makeup when I use this. It’s the rare product that I find myself telling friends about!” she says.
Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Moisturizing Face Sunscreen
Tested by: Hannah Towey, associate editor, transportation and travel news
Type of protection: Chemical
Strength: Broad spectrum SPF 60
Stand-out features: Oxybenzone-free, water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes, affordable price point
Why we recommend it: This weightless formula with prebiotic oat from Aveeno is moisturizing and refreshing, leaving you feeling glowy and hydrated. “It dries clear, doesn’t leave a white cast, and isn’t greasy or oily. I actually enjoy the feeling of putting it on,” says Hannah Towey. It’s also oxybenzone-free, another bonus for Towey. It’s water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes, making it a great choice for the beach and outdoor activities—just be sure to re-apply throughout the day. It dries clear and truly hydrates the skin, so you can layer it underneath makeup without any pilling. “I’ve tried much more expensive sunscreens and consistently find myself going back to this Aveeno lotion every summer. I have sensitive, acne-prone skin and it doesn’t make me break out,” says Towey.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair UV SPF Moisturizer
Tested by: Charlie Hobbs, associate editor
Type of protection: Chemical
Strength: Broad spectrum SPF 30
Stand-out features: Hydrating, oil-free, lightweight enough for daily wear
Why we recommend it: Rounding out our list of the best face sunscreens is another favorite of ours from La Roche-Posay. This daily moisturizer is ideal for anyone with dry or acne-prone skin—which has made it a favorite of associate editor Charlie Hobbs. “I have delicate, acne-prone skin (and have been on Accutane twice!) so it’s important to me that what goes on my face is gentle and moisturizing—to have a morning moisturizer that’s full of SPF is just wonderful. The skincare-first sunscreen boosts lots of key ingredients: essential ceramides, niacinamide, and glycerin. Its designed to help protect and restore your skin’s nature barrier, all while offering SPF 30 coverage. ”I love La Roche-Posay in part because it’s always in my mother’s medicine cabinet—sentimental—but it’s also just plain old good and reliable,” says Hobbs.
