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The Best Facial Sunscreen for Any Skin Type
If you’ve been skipping the sunscreen, we have a stat that will stop that behavior right in its tracks.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a whopping 90% of skin aging is caused by the sun, which means you should apply sunscreen daily to prevent those pesky wrinkles and fine lines. So, start the new year with a dermatologist-recommended sunscreen that elevates your skin. Protect yourself from signs of aging while reducing the risk of skin cancer and other side effects caused by sun damage with a facial sunscreen you love and will apply daily.
There’s no secret sauce here because the best facial sunscreen for any skin type is the one you will remember to use daily.
The good news is that high-quality facial sunscreens are easy to come by. There are many sunscreens, including ones formulated for sports, tinted foundations, oil-free lotions, and specialty products with anti-aging properties.
With so many great facial sunscreens to choose from, how will you know what’s right for your skin? That’s where we come in. We’ve chatted with the experts, compiled the research, and found the top face sunscreens to elevate your morning skincare routine.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall SPF for Face: SRI Daily Facial Sunscreen
Best Sporty Option: EltaMD UV Sport Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Best for Everday: Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50
Best Drugstore Facial Sunscreen: Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry-Touch Broad Spectrum SPF 70
Best For Mature Skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50
Best Drugstore Tinted Sunscreen: Tower 28 Sunny Days Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen
What to Look for When Shopping for a Daily Facial Sunscreen?
SPF 30 and up: Follow the American Academy of Dermatology’s advice and wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
Broad spectrum: Opt for a sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection.
Affordability: Check the price per ounce to determine its affordability. Keep in mind that you should apply sunscreen multiple times per day.
Water resistant: Sunscreens with higher water resistance are more likely to last after sweaty sports, a day at the beach, and more.
1. SRI Daily Facial Sunscreen
Get broad-spectrum protection from a brand you can trust. SRI Daily Facial Sunscreen harnesses good-for-skin ingredients to keep harmful UVA, UVB, and HEV rays at bay. Daily Facial Sunscreen is a one-stop shop for your sunscreen needs and works well for all skin types.
Powerful SPF 40 protects your skin from signs of aging while a dream team of anti-aging properties work behind the scenes to restore and rejuvenate dry, tired skin.
Beat pesky lines and wrinkles with this vegan formula, free from dyes, artificial flavors, and other harsh ingredients. It also does not contain octinoxate, which disrupts the natural endocrine system.
So, what’s our pick for the best facial sunscreen for any skin type? This clean formula utilizes 8% transparent zinc oxide to shield against sun damage while potent antioxidants like galangal root, winter cherry, Lipochroman™, and firming peptides repair the skin and eliminate issues caused by free radicals. It’s basically a sunscreen and serum rolled up into one easy-to-use product.
2. EltaMD UV Sport Broad Spectrum SPF 50
As one of the top dermatologist-recommended brands, you can’t go wrong with EltaMD’s products for sun protection. The broad-spectrum formula keeps the skin safe from harmful UVA and UVB rays and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes, which is as good as it gets.
UV Sport contains zinc oxide, which allows it to sit on top of the skin (on top of other skincare products like moisturizer or serum) to repel UV rays. Physical sunscreens can leave a slight white residue on the skin, but this formula is lightweight and non-greasy, making it ideal for daily use. It’s also avobenzone-free, which means it won’t make your eyes burn if you sweat while wearing it.
Don’t just take our word for it, though. UVA Sport Broad Spectrum SPF 50 is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation and earned the Active Seal of Recommendation (meaning it’s the perfect choice for those who spend time outdoors). The cherry on top is that this face (and whole body) sunscreen works well for every skin type.
3. Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50
Keep sun damage at bay with a sunscreen that’s as active as you. Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 has one goal: to block UV and infrared radiation that causes damage. Using a clean chemical formula, it soaks into the skin and offers water and sweat resistance for up to 80 minutes. That’s a lot of fun in the sun!
Play Everyday Lotion is a dermatologist-tested sunscreen that protects your skin from burns and signs of aging. This chemical sunscreen quickly absorbs into the skin and provides consistent sun protection. Chemical sunscreens are typically more water- and sweat-resistant, which makes them the ideal choice for daily use.
4. Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry-Touch Broad Spectrum SPF 70
If you’re prone to sunburns or just want maximal protection against the sun, Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Sunscreen SPF 70 is a superstar. Easily found at the drugstore or grocery store, this high-SPF, non-comedogenic formula can keep your skin safe at a budget-friendly price.
The lightweight lotion rapidly absorbs into the skin, and the ultra-sheer, dry-touch formula won’t leave behind a sticky residue. As a water- and sweat-resistant formula, it’s non-greasy and oil-free, making it a top choice for those with oily or acne-prone skin.
5. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50
Soak in the skin-loving benefits from La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50. The lightweight formula rapidly absorbs into the skin to provide fast-acting protection against UVA and UVB rays.
Active ingredients zinc oxide and titanium oxides lay on top of the skin to defend against burns and signs of aging. The unique formula uses Cell-Ox Shield technology to combine broad-spectrum protection with antioxidants, which soothe, nourish, and protect the skin from further damage.
La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal water, ceramide-3, and niacinamide make it a gentle, soothing formula ideal for mature skin.
6. Tower 28 Sunny Days Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen
Simplify your morning routine with a two-in-one sunscreen and tinted moisturizer. It’s broad-spectrum, so dermatologists love it, and the smooth mineral sunscreen foundation leaves your skin feeling soft while looking fabulous.
Formulated for sensitive skin and problem areas, it’s the perfect dual-purpose sunscreen for most skin types. It’s earned the seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Association and is an ideal match for those with severe skin conditions like eczema. Our most sensitive-skin friends will be thrilled to hear that there’s no avobenzone in sight on this ingredient list and only trace amounts of titanium dioxide, which can be a troublesome ingredient in rare cases.
Choose from seventeen shades to match your skin tone and get full coverage from the sun while covering up redness, discoloration, and other complexion issues.
