Best Sunscreen for Face: 10 Solid Options That Actually Work

Picking the best sunscreen for face is harder than it should be. Some feel greasy. Some burn your eyes. Some claim they’re for sensitive skin but end up breaking you out. And then there's SPF numbers that mean nothing if you don’t reapply.

So if you're tired of throwing money at bottles that don’t work for your skin, here’s a list of sunscreens people are actually using and liking in real life. No fake glow talk. Just what works, what doesn’t, and who should try what.

EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

This one’s been around for years for a reason. It doesn’t clog pores. No heavy feel. And it calms redness thanks to niacinamide. One of the safest picks if your skin reacts to everything. A lot of dermatologists actually recommend this.

• Skin Type: Sensitive, acne-prone
• Texture: Lightweight lotion
• Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, niacinamide
• How to Use: Apply a full pump on clean skin in the morning. Reapply every 2 hours if you're outdoors.
• Price Range: $35 to $40

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Sunscreen SPF 60

It goes on thick but sinks in fast. Works well under makeup too. It has high SPF without leaving a weird film. If you’ve got dry skin or flake easily, this one helps keep things hydrated while still protecting.

• Skin Type: Dry, normal
• Texture: Creamy
• Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate
• How to Use: Apply on face and neck 15 minutes before sun exposure
• Price Range: Around $37

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

This one feels like nothing. Literally invisible on skin. No white cast. It works well under foundation or on its own. The finish is soft matte, which makes it a go-to for people who hate greasy products.

• Skin Type: All, especially oily or combo
• Texture: Gel-like
• Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, octocrylene
• How to Use: Use as a makeup primer or solo sunscreen
• Price Range: Around $38

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF 50+

One of the most viral Korean sunscreens right now. It feels soft, not oily. No sting near eyes. The texture is smooth enough to reapply without pilling. And it doesn’t mess with makeup.

• Skin Type: Sensitive, combo
• Texture: Cream
• Active Ingredients: Rice extract, niacinamide
• How to Use: Two fingers worth of product before going outside
• Price Range: $18 to $20

CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

It’s a mineral sunscreen, which means it uses physical blockers. So there might be a slight cast on deeper skin tones. But for people who can’t handle chemical filters, this is a solid drugstore option.

• Skin Type: Dry, sensitive
• Texture: Thick cream
• Active Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, ceramides
• How to Use: Use daily, especially when skin is dry or recovering
• Price Range: About $15

Paula’s Choice Resist Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30

This one has a soft tint that evens out skin tone. It’s not full coverage but enough to skip foundation on low-effort days. It also has anti-aging ingredients, which helps if you’re trying to protect and treat at the same time.

• Skin Type: Oily, mature skin
• Texture: Tinted lotion
• Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, antioxidants
• How to Use: Use in place of tinted moisturizer
• Price Range: Around $35

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 55

Budget-friendly and easy to find. It dries fast, doesn’t leave you shiny, and offers high SPF. Not the best if you’ve got really dry skin, but great if you just need something simple that works.

• Skin Type: Normal to oily
• Texture: Lightweight lotion
• Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, oxybenzone
• How to Use: Use 15 minutes before sun exposure, reapply every 2 hours
• Price Range: About $9 to $12

ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica SPF 50+

This one’s more on the medical side. It has enzymes that help repair sun damage. It’s pricey but designed for people with real skin concerns like hyperpigmentation or early signs of damage.

• Skin Type: Aging, sun-damaged skin
• Texture: Watery lotion
• Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, DNA repair enzymes
• How to Use: Shake well and apply daily
• Price Range: Around $60

Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+

Perfect for on-the-go use. You don’t need to touch your face to reapply, and it doesn’t mess up makeup. Super portable. The stick format works well for travel or if you’re outside a lot.

• Skin Type: All
• Texture: Balm stick
• Active Ingredients: Octocrylene, octinoxate
• How to Use: Swipe directly on skin or over makeup
• Price Range: Around $30

Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen SPF 35

This is more of a skincare-meets-makeup type sunscreen. It helps blur pores while giving sun protection. Pricey, but some people use it in place of primer and sunscreen combined. If texture bugs you, this one feels nice.

• Skin Type: Combo, normal
• Texture: Creamy primer
• Active Ingredients: Silk extract, Japanese wild rose
• How to Use: Use under foundation or BB cream
• Price Range: $70

Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish SPF 50+

Good if you want something affordable and matte. It dries down quickly and doesn’t feel sticky. Fragrance-free, so less likely to irritate. Can leave a little white cast on deeper skin tones, but for lighter or medium skin, it works fine.

• Skin Type: Oily, sensitive
• Texture: Lightweight fluid
• Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide
• How to Use: Apply after moisturizer. Let dry before makeup.
• Price Range: Around $10 to $15

Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30

Created for darker skin tones so it blends in clear without that grayish layer some mineral sunscreens leave. Also moisturizes, so you might not need an extra layer underneath. Good option if you're skipping foundation or want something simple.

• Skin Type: Normal to dry, melanin-rich skin
• Texture: Cream
• Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate
• How to Use: Use generous layer daily, especially if you're going makeup-free
• Price Range: Around $15

Saie Sunvisor Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 35

This one’s popular with the "skin first, makeup second" crowd. It's technically a mineral sunscreen but doesn’t leave a cast. Feels more like a serum than SPF. Gives a dewy look so not great for oily skin but ideal for dry skin or dull texture.

• Skin Type: Dry, normal
• Texture: Dewy cream
• Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, grape seed oil
• How to Use: Use as the last step of morning skincare
• Price Range: Around $35

Colorescience Sunforgettable Brush-On Shield SPF 50

This is a powder sunscreen. Works best as a reapplication tool over makeup. Not great as your only SPF in the morning, but perfect for topping up protection without messing with your skin or base. Also has a tinted version.

• Skin Type: All
• Texture: Loose powder
• Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, iron oxides
• How to Use: Brush over face to reapply SPF during the day
• Price Range: Around $70

Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+

Originally made for babies, but adults with reactive skin use it too. No fragrance, no parabens, no chemical filters. It’s thick, so takes effort to rub in. But if your skin reacts to everything, this is one of the safest bets. Also good for pregnant people avoiding certain ingredients.

• Skin Type: Sensitive, pregnancy-safe
• Texture: Cream
• Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide
• How to Use: Use a small amount and rub in well
• Price Range: Around $15