The Best Face Sunscreens
Remembering to apply sunblock while at the beach seems almost second-nature, but making this an everyday practice in your normal life can be a challenge. Yet, we've all seen enough of those photos of peoples' faces after being exposed to UV light to know that this is a challenge worth rising to. After all, we'd prefer not to succumb to early aging signs and increased risk of skin cancer (yeesh). Thankfully, meeting this challenge doesn't have to translate to clogged pores and breakouts caused by the heavy sunscreens of yesteryear. Nowadays, face sunscreens are specially formulated to protect your skin while causing less irritation on the most sensitive (and visible) part of your body. Here we lathered up and did the research to give you our top choices for face sunscreens. These won't just keep the sun out, but they'll also keep all the good stuff in and on your skin.
EltaMD Clear Facial Sunscreen (SPF 46)
Sworn to Soothe and Protect
There’s a lot of factors to keep in mind when buying facial sunscreen. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a fast-absorbing, broad-spectrum lotion above SPF 30 that won’t irritate your skin too much. But while this seems like quite an easy checklist, anyone who’s used the same sunscreen for years and years knows that when you find the right one for your skin, it’s hard to imagine switching to anything else.
This is precisely why the EltaMD Clear Facial Sunscreen is a beach-town favorite. It offers solid UV protection for so many different skin types. In addition to the sustainable and healthy mineral composition, this sunblock also has niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and lactic acid in it – all ingredients commonly used in fancy facial serums to reduce wrinkles and moisturize your skin. Knock two steps off your morning skin routine and keep your skin looking young no matter the weather with this professional cream.
Pros:
- 9.0% transparent zinc oxide
- Broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB)
- No fragrance, oil, or parabens
- Sustainably composed (no avobenzone or oxybenzone)
Cons:
- Higher cost
PURITO Comfy Water Sun Block (SPF 50+)
Planet-Friendly Physical Protection
While you may not instinctually think of the word “coral reefs” when you think of sunblock, it might be time to start. Certain ingredients commonly used in sunscreens – such as avobenzone and oxybenzone – have been shown to harm marine life, and consumers are starting to care. And though many creams claim to be ocean-safe, none can beat this vegan, cruelty-free mineral sunscreen from PURITO.
This bodes doubly well for conscientious sunbathers because PURITO’s eco-friendly composition is also extremely healthy for us. Why? Simple: the same nanoparticles that hurt the reefs are also those that absorb into your skin and cause irritation. And despite all its sustainable benefits, the cream itself is lightweight, unscented, and easy to apply for daily wear every morning, so you can face the world guilt and UV- free.
Pros:
- Non-nano physical sunscreen
- Unscented
- 70% water base (thinner application)
- No white cast
Cons:
- Can cake up on dry skin
- Harder to blend in
Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunscreen (SPF 110)
More Blockage, Less Bucks
Some of us need more sun protection than others, be it because of our genetic makeup, where we live, or even our jobs. But more coverage doesn’t have to mean that we walk around wearing a thick white mask of sunblock. Thankfully, it also doesn’t have to mean a bigger dent in our wallets.
The dermatologist-tested, broad-spectrum Age Shield Face Sunscreen from Neutrogena penetrates six layers deep to protect your skin on the cellular level, all while giving you more volume for less money. And at such a high SPF (110), you’d think that this cream would be oily and weighty on the skin, but the added conditioners ensure that your skin remains youthful and moisturized. Keep in mind though that chemical sunscreens such as this one can sting the eyes if you are having a sweaty day, so make sure to towel off and reapply when needed.
Pros:
- High SPF helps fight against signs of aging
- Broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB)
- PABA-free and oil-free
Cons:
- Contains avobenzone and oxybenzone (not reef-safe)
- Chemical composition can sting the eye
Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Sunscreen for Acne-Prone Skin (SPF 30)
Coverage Without Clogging
Wearing sunscreen every day sounds easy enough until your skin starts breaking out left and right. And if we have to apply makeup after the thick, greasy cream, then it’s a sure recipe for disaster. Thankfully, the chemists at Neutrogena designed this Clear Face Liquid Sunscreen for Acne-Prone Skin to give you disaster-free mornings.
Not only is this cream oil-free and non-comedogenic (meaning that it’s formulated to not cause breakouts), but it also has a water-light texture that is easy to apply and stays weightlessly put under foundation and powders. But while this sunblock is made for sensitive skin, we recommend a little extra moisturizer the first week of use or so to prevent your skin from drying out.
Pros:
- Compact, sustainable packaging
- Water-resistant (80 minutes)
- Weightless, matte finish
- Great cost value
Cons:
- Contains avobenzone and oxybenzone (not reef-safe)
- Leaves a bit of shine on the face
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Mineral Sunscreen (SPF 50)
Tinted Texture You Can Trust
Though it’s natural to picture the classic white-nosed lifeguard when we think of sunblock, this image isn’t too far from the frustrating truth for those of us who have even the slightest tans or darker skin tones. But while one could argue that all sunblocks should be tinted for this very reason, the reality is that tinted sunblocks often cause skin irritation or cakey-buildup because they have extra substances in them.
With all that in mind, the folks at La Roche-Posay have worked hard to make their high-SPF mineral sunscreen super lightweight and oil-free to prevent clogged pores, protecting even the most sensitive faces. Simply shake the tinted sunscreen a bit before using and then rub in until it’s absorbed for a flawless matte finish that looks good both under your normal makeup routine and on its own.
Pros:
- Sustainably made (reef-safe)
- Water-resistant for 40 min
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons:
- Only contains titanium-oxide as broad-spectrum protection
- Has a slight muddy smell
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “broad-spectrum” mean, and why should I aim for this kind of sunblock?
Great question. Broad-spectrum sunscreens are designed to protect against both UVA and UVB rays – the two main types of UV rays that reach the Earth from the sun. Overexposure to either of these can lead to skin cancer, but they also harm your skin in different ways. UVA rays cause wrinkles and spots, aging your skin faster, while UVB rays are those that directly cause the painful blisters we call sunburn. We don’t want either of these things, so we tend to reach for broad-spectrum creams only.
Is using a sunscreen with higher SPF better?
You would think this would intuitively be the case, but dermatologists say that SPF 30 may be enough. You definitely want to make sure you apply at least this level, as SPF 30 blocks out 97% of those harmful sun rays. Higher SPFs may block out slightly more rays, but no sunblock will completely protect you. And regardless of how high you choose to go, you’ll still have to reapply the same amount of times as you would with a lower SPF (we typically do this every 2 hours when out in intense sunlight).
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