Say goodbye to grease.
For those with glow-prone skin, sunscreen can be a hard sell—but the best sunscreens for oily skin can make daily habits easier. This is important because using SPF is the best way to protect your skin from a variety of skin care issues, at best, fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation, and at worst, skin cancer. question? Many people with oily skin tones have long struggled with drawbacks like shine and heaviness.
However, if you have fairly oily skin, you can definitely avoid permanent sun damage without settling for oily skin. The thick, sticky SPF your mom put on you as a kid doesn’t cut it with today’s lightweight SPFs, many of which are suitable for oily skin. You just have to know what to look for. In some cases, you can combine the moisturizer and sunscreen steps into a non-greasy, lightweight formula you’ll never forget.
How can a member of the Oily Skin team finally find the Holy Grail SPF? Start by applying an oil-free mineral sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, according to Corona Del Mar board-certified dermatologist Stefani Kappel, MD. “Not only do these products better protect against UVA and UVB rays, but they are naturally less likely to cause breakouts or acne than chemical sunscreens,” she says. (Chemical sunscreens have a big benefit, though; they’re more Blends into darker skin tones and feels lightweight on the skin, which is why we’ve included some great options for oily skin types in our list below.)
In addition to sun filter types, avoid formulas that contain pore-clogging oils like coconut oil, soybean oil, and wheatgerm oil. While they’re great for dry skin (and worth considering if you have combination skin), they can inadvertently activate sebum production, which can be a problem for skin types that already have larger oil-producing sebaceous glands.
So, we’ve narrowed down the choices so you can easily find the best sunscreen for oily skin. Daily SPF will not only become a must-have in your skincare routine, but it will also feel like a luxury.
Best Overall: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Why it’s worth it: Board-certified dermatologist Jeannette Graf, MD, a professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, recommends EltaMD’s Virtually UV-Free Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46, touting its ability to reduce shine and cleanse pores through lactic acid. Think of it as an oil-control moisturizer rather than a sunscreen. While it’s enriched with sodium hyaluronate (a form of hyaluronic acid) to keep skin hydrated, it never feels greasy or sticky.
Best Drugstore: Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Why it’s worth it: Fun fact: You don’t have to spend more than $20 for an effective, non-greasy facial sunscreen. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, says Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 gets her seal of approval for oily skin types because of its lightweight feel and impressive oil-control capabilities. “This mineral sunscreen doesn’t leave the skin feeling greasy, making it a great option for people with oily skin,” she says. “It also contains vitamin E, which protects against free radical damage.”
Best Mineral: Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36
Why You Need It: There’s a fine line between looking radiant and looking greasy, but Alastin’s HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36 knows which side of the ball to work on, delivering a healthy-looking glow even if it’s Even the oiliest skin types will be delighted. PhD. Capel is a fan of the formula, explaining that it’s lightweight and won’t clog pores thanks to its non-comedogenic properties. It also contains ectoine, which helps protect skin from blue light and pollution.
Best Chemical: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid Sunscreen SPF 60
Why It’s Worth It: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Sunscreen SPF 60 provides the lightweight, oil-free sun protection you want. This SPF 60 broad-spectrum formula provides a matte finish and is enriched with senna, an antioxidant-rich tropical leaf extract that reduces free radical damage.
Best Tinted: MDSolarSciences Mineral Tinted Crème SPF 30
Why It’s Worth It: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Sunscreen SPF 60 provides the lightweight, oil-free sun protection you want. This SPF 60 broad-spectrum formula provides a matte finish and is enriched with senna, an antioxidant-rich tropical leaf extract that reduces free radical damage.
Best for Touch-Ups: Brush on Block Translucent Mineral Powder Sunscreen SPF 30
Why it’s worth it: What’s better than a sunscreen that protects your skin? Of course, it also absorbs shine from your forehead and nose. That’s exactly what Brush on Block’s Translucent Mineral Powder Sunscreen SPF 30 does, relying on its compact, self-dispensing brush applicator to get the job done. Because it’s a powder formula, you don’t have to deal with the common issues with traditional sunscreens (like greasy texture and white, chalky residue). P.S. You can swim or workout for up to 80 minutes thanks to this sweat- and water-resistant formula.
Best Spray: Alba Botanica Sensitive Fragrance Free Sunscreen Spray SPF 50
Why it’s worth it: If we could sum up the experience of using this drugstore-favorite formula that’s also suitable for sensitive skin, it would be, in one word, “pleasant” at its best—especially if you spend a little too much time in the sun. Alba Botanica’s Fragrance-Free Sensitive Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 is based on aloe vera and chamomile (ingredients that soothe the worst sunburns).
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield SPF 50
Why it’s worth it: Some people actually like to use SPF. Didn’t expect this happens to your acne-prone skin? This option might change your mind, especially if you regularly need to make sure your SPF doesn’t interfere with the active ingredients you use to treat breakouts (like troublesome retinol). PhD. Kappel says this isn’t an issue with the Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield, and you don’t have to worry about any ingredients in this SPF interfering with your acne-fighting regimen. To further market this all-purpose sunscreen, it has a lightweight texture and sheer finish, making it a must-have when wearing makeup or just using SPF.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Supergoop Mineral Mattescreen Sunscreen SPF 40
Why it’s worth it: Jodi LoGerfo, DNP, a dermatology nurse practitioner in New York City, says Supergoop Mineral Matte Sunscreen SPF 40 is one of her top recommendations for anyone with excess oil. “I love this oil-free sunscreen because it’s lightweight, 100% mineral-based, and soothes and soothes the skin,” she says. This feather-light formula protects against harmful sun rays, while antioxidant-rich bamboo extract prevents free radical damage and lightly nourishes skin.
Best for Mature Skin: Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Ageless Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Why it’s worth it: According to Brooklyn-based board-certified dermatologist Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, MD, Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Ageless Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is ideal for the oiliest skin tones because of its oil-free finish and compatibility with a variety of skin types. Blending universal shades with your skin tone. In addition to antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress, the formula also contains skin-firming peptides to reduce skin sagging and the appearance of early fine lines.
Best for Brightening: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sunscreen SPF 50
Having moisturized, non-greasy skin sounds almost impossible for oily skin types, but with Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow Sunscreen SPF 50, it’s totally possible. This lightweight sunscreen lotion is formulated with hydrating hyaluronic acid, soothing aloe, and brightening niacinamide for a radiant complexion without the build-up of oil.
Best Tinted Moisturizer: Ilia C Beyond Triple Serum SPF 40
Why It’s Worth It: The beauty of Ilias C Beyond Triple Serum SPF 40 is that it’s both a tinted sunscreen and an evening complexion serum. While pigments provide sheer coverage and broad-spectrum protection from UV rays, this facial sunscreen also nourishes skin with brightening vitamin C and niacinamide, an antioxidant known for its oil-balancing properties.