Sporting SPF each day could be a onerous promote in case your pores and skin is prone to shine—in spite of everything, who needs so as to add extra greasiness to already-oily pores and skin? However a sunscreen formulated particularly for shiny pores and skin could make the every day behavior quite a bit simpler to stay with. It’ll have a lighter consistency and comprise mattifying or oil-absorbing components that’ll depart your pores and skin trying recent, not slick. If each SPF you’ve tried has left your face with a greasy sheen or heavy really feel, enable us to introduce you to one of the best sunscreens for shiny pores and skin, hand-picked by dermatologists and Attract editors. After getting your holy grail, you’ll by no means skip placing on SPF once more.
Our Prime Sunscreens for Oily Pores and skin
Regularly Requested Questions
Greatest Total: Shiseido City Surroundings Oil-Free Mineral Sunscreen SPF 42
This light-weight, fluid sunscreen is the whole lot you can need in an SPF for shiny pores and skin. First off: Shiseido City Surroundings Oil-Free Mineral Sunscreen SPF 42 is oil-free (therefore the title), which is a must have while you’re apprehensive a few method feeling greasy and including to the slickness of your pores and skin. Not solely will this not contribute to grease, it’ll actively assist remove it with dimethicone and silica—two components that take up oil and provides your pores and skin a smoother, shine-free end (consider it like your favourite mattifying primer). Don’t fear, although—the method is noncomedogenic, so these silicones received’t clog your pores and trigger breakouts.
It additionally packs hydrating components like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to be sure to’re not missing in moisture—as a result of everyone knows drying out your pores and skin isn’t the reply to fixing oiliness. If that’s not sufficient to persuade you to slide this into your seashore bag, know that it’s additionally waterproof for as much as 40 minutes. You’ll be able to splash round to your coronary heart’s content material and look nice whereas doing it.
Tester suggestions from contributing commerce author Annie Blackman
“An oily sunscreen is like nails on a chalkboard for me, particularly throughout summer season months the place my face will get oily by itself. This Shiseido sunscreen is oil-free, light-weight, and leaves no white solid. The bottle is smaller than I anticipated, nevertheless it has turned out to be an excellent factor as a result of it slips proper into my purse. I normally like creamier formulation, however I admire the thinness mixed with the excessive safety stage.”
Sunscreen kind/Key components
mineral/glycerin, hyaluronic acid, camellia leaf extract, turmeric
Greatest for Zits-Inclined Pores and skin: SkinCeuticals Clear Every day Soothing UV Protection Sunscreen SPF 50
Why it is price it: The SkinCeuticals Clear Every day Soothing UV Protection Sunscreen SPF 50 is a mineral-chemical hybrid that was particularly examined on acne-prone pores and skin to verify it doesn’t flare up breakouts. Its star components are peptides, which soothe sensitivity, and bisabolol—an anti-inflammatory that’ll relax redness. And it leaves out probably irritating components like perfume and comedogens that may clog pores.
Tester suggestions from commerce editor Sarah Han
“If you happen to don’t wish to compromise glow within the seek for calming, non-irritating formulation, that is it. SkinCeuticals’ Clear Every day leaves my pores and skin trying radiant after three small pumps (it’s tougher to portion out the two-finger rule with a pump, so I believe this is kind of an ample quantity) whereas peptides and bisabolol reduce any redness I’ve round my nostril and cheeks. It takes a bit of longer to mix in in comparison with most 100% chemical sunscreens I’ve tried, nevertheless it dries all the way down to a seamless, cast-free, and semi-dewy end on my light-medium Asian skintone.”
Sunscreen kind/key components
mineral and chemical/peptides, bisabolol, glycerin
Greatest Tinted: Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Ageless Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Why it is price it: In accordance with Brooklyn-based board-certified dermatologist Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, MD, the Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Ageless Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is a perfect choose for the oiliest of complexions, as a result of its grease-free end and common tint that blends into your pores and skin tone. It’s additionally an excellent choose for mature pores and skin, because it comprises skin-firming peptides to scale back the look of early-stage sagging and positive traces.
Tester suggestions from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
“My pores and skin is so oily, you’d assume I would get an invitation to OPEC. Whereas I’ve discovered completely serviceable sunscreens that do not make me look greasy, this one stands out as a result of it leaves my pores and skin trying matte, however not overly flat or one-dimensional. The tint does numerous heavy lifting for my pores and skin tone—on which most mineral sunscreens look chalky—and I really like that this has zero scent to talk of.”
Sunscreen kind/key components
mineral/glycerin, peptides, vitamin E
Greatest for Delicate Pores and skin: Extremely Violette Velvet Display screen SPF 50
Why it is price it: Perfume-free and made with zinc oxide, Extremely Violette Velvet Display screen SPF 50 is a good choice for delicate pores and skin. It additionally delivers critical skin-nourishing advantages, too: It packs vitamin C from kakadu plum that’ll brighten your pores and skin whereas Pentavintin (a hydrating plant extract) brings hydration into the equation. Plus, it provides pores and skin a blurred end that may stand as much as the solar’s warmth. The feel is on the thicker facet, so give this a beat to sink into your pores and skin earlier than making use of make-up.
Tester suggestions from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann
“I not too long ago spent the weekend at Coachella, open air and in 100-degree warmth for 3 days straight, and this delicate matte sunscreen saved my life. Not solely did I handle to not get sunburned in any respect, the velvety end actually helped my make-up from turning right into a gloopy, gooey mess.”
Sunscreen kind/key components
mineral/kakadu plum, pentavitin, glycerin
Greatest Korean: Then I Met You Essence Mild Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++
Why it’s price it: Having components of your face really feel tremendous dry whereas your T-zone can’t appear to cease pumping out oil could be very actual—and in addition difficult to navigate in relation to merchandise. However this Korean sunscreen is a secure guess for mixture pores and skin. Then I Met You Essence Mild Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++ makes use of a trio of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and panthenol to strengthen the pores and skin’s moisture barrier whereas antioxidants from galactomyces ferment filtrate (a by-product of fermented sake) soothe and scale back the looks of pores. It received’t fully do away with shine, nevertheless it’ll give your pores and skin a wholesome sheen that appears dewy somewhat than greasy.
Tester suggestions from affiliate magnificence director Sarah Kinonen
“Technically, I’ve mixture pores and skin, however catch me mid-day and you will see me shine from throughout the room. Whereas the Then I Met You Essence Mild Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++ would not sop up oil and even stop it, it does play into my every day gleam in one of the best, most useful method by giving my pores and skin dehydrated much-needed moisture (within the type of ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol) because it protects it. I’ve gone by means of two, perhaps three of those tubes already—it is one of the best!”
Sunscreen kind/key components
chemical/galactomyces ferment filtrate, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, panthenol
Greatest Clear: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Why it is price it: Board-certified dermatologist Jeannette Graf, MD, a professor at Mount Sinai Faculty of Drugs, suggests EltaMD’s barely-there UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, touting its capacity to scale back shine and clear pores by means of lactic acid. Consider this as extra of a mattifying moisturizer than a sunscreen. Though it is boosted with sodium hyaluronate (a type of hyaluronic acid) to hydrate pores and skin, it will by no means really feel oily or sticky. FYI: We’ve discovered that it helps to provide the formulation a couple of minutes to set earlier than making use of make-up to keep away from pilling.
Tester suggestions from Attract contributor Jessica Kasparian
Jessica Kasparian says this sunscreen has a dreamy texture that’s simple to reapply: “This is among the first zinc oxide-based SPFs I attempted and really preferred. It feels creamy whereas I’m rubbing it in and it has a delicate matte end (learn: it doesn’t make my face look shiny or powdery).”
Sunscreen kind/key components
chemical and mineral/niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
Greatest Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Extremely Mild Fluid Sunscreen SPF 60
Why it is price it: The La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid Sunscreen SPF 60 gives the entire light-weight, oil-free solar safety you can ever ask for, which is why it received a Best of Beauty Award in 2024. It feels extra like a primer on the pores and skin, because of its silky matte end, and make-up superbly layers on prime. Together with giving your pores and skin broad-spectrum SPF 60, it presents up a dose of senna alata, a tropical leaf extract that is wealthy in free radical damage-reducing antioxidants.
Tester suggestions from senior information editor Nicola Dall’Asen
“It delivers a no-nonsense, no-cast, no-rubbing-in-for-20-minutes sunscreen—a dream come true for a lady like me, who dreads every day sunscreen utility. It protects from the solar shortly and with out the greasy-feeling mess and chemical scent that sunscreen can usually depart behind, all at an inexpensive drugstore value.”
Sunscreen kind/key components
chemical/senna alata, thermal spring water, vitamin E
Different sunscreens for shiny pores and skin to think about
- When you’ve got easily-inflamed pores and skin, the Supergoop Mineral Mattescreen Sunscreen SPF 40 ($40) is price a shot, because it’s light-weight and calming. It has a light-weight method that guards in opposition to damaging solar rays whereas antioxidant-rich bamboo extracts defend in opposition to free radical injury and flippantly situation the pores and skin.
- If you would like one thing sweat- and waterproof, the Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield SPF 50 ($49) has your again. It’s resistant for 40 minutes, so you possibly can take an extra-long dip within the pool or do an additional lap in your run with out worrying in regards to the method sporting off.
- If you happen to’re apprehensive about air pollution, the Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36 ($64) comprises ectoin, which helps defend pores and skin in opposition to blue mild and air pollution. Its light-weight method is non-comedogenic, so it received’t clog pores, and it provides pores and skin a wholesome sheen with out trying greasy.
- If you happen to’re on a funds, take into account selecting up the Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50. Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York Metropolis, says the Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 will get her seal of approval for shiny pores and skin varieties due to its light-weight really feel and spectacular oil management. “This mineral sunscreen dries and will not depart the pores and skin feeling greasy, making it an excellent choice for these with oily pores and skin,” she says. “It additionally comprises vitamin E to guard in opposition to free radical injury.” Bonus: This face sunscreen is hypoallergenic, fragrance- and paraben-free, and filled with soothing components, making it a winner for these vulnerable to redness.
Regularly Requested Questions
Ought to oily pores and skin use mineral sunscreen?
You’ll be able to if that’s your desire. In accordance with Corona Del Mar-based board-certified dermatologist Stefani Kappel, MD, begin with oil-free, mineral sunscreens that comprise zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. “These not solely provide higher safety in opposition to UVA and UVB rays, however they’re naturally much less comedogenic, or acne-causing, than chemical sunscreens,” she says. (That mentioned, chemical sunscreens do provide huge benefits; they’re normally simpler to mix into deeper pores and skin tones, and really feel light-weight on pores and skin, which is why we have included some good choices for shiny varieties within the beneath record.)
Which components do you have to keep away from in a sunscreen for shiny pores and skin?
Along with the kind of sunscreen filter, keep away from formulation that comprise pore-clogging oils, like coconut, soybean, and wheat germ oils. Whereas they’re ultimate for dry pores and skin (and value contemplating when you have mixture pores and skin), they could inadvertently activate sebum manufacturing, which could be a downside for a pores and skin kind that already has bigger oil-producing sebaceous glands.
Meet the specialists
- Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in Brooklyn
- Jeannette Graf, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and professor at Mount Sinai Faculty of Drugs primarily based in New York Metropolis
- Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in New York Metropolis
- Stefani Kappel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in Corona Del Mar
How we check and assessment merchandise
When Attract tests a product, our editors take a look at it from each angle in an effort to finest serve you. We assessment components, scrutinize model claims, and, when needed, look at peer-reviewed scientific and medical research. Along with testing every product that is included in every assessment, we depend on specialists who form their fields, together with dermatology, beauty chemistry, and medication, to assist us vet the ingredients and formulation.
