The 12 best face sunscreens to keep you radiant and protected

If you’ve spent even 30 seconds searching for face sunscreen, you’ve most definitely stumbled upon Supergoop. Their uber-popular formulas are a favorite among skincare addicts and novices alike with an ever-expanding lineup of sun-protective products. I’ve tried several, but my absolute favorite is the Unseen Sunscreen. Not only is this my favorite sunscreen, it’s one of my top five beauty products of all time. Like desert island-levels of must-have.

The silky gel-like formula is unlike anything I’ve ever encountered, leaving a velvety finish that is somehow not at all drying. (Sorcery!) It leaves my skin perfectly primed for make-up and doesn’t come back to haunt me with grease or slippage when the temps rise throughout the day. It also blends seamlessly into all skin tones which (though all sunscreens should) is not often the case. I give it an 11 out of 10 and live in fear of it being discontinued. (Supergoop powers that be, DO YOU HEAR ME?)

As a commerce editor and skincare enthusiast, I test an embarrassing amount of products–and very rarely does a brand stand out to me the way MDSolarSciences does. It started with their obsession-worthy kids line and from the instant I tried their dermatologist-developed MD Mineral BB Crème, I was equally hooked. The super silky tinted formula glides on easy and diffuses whatever redness/funkiness my skin has going on, leaving me to decide if I even need to bother with actual makeup. (An infusion of caffeine and niacinamide help minimize discoloration and redness, making it a real multitasker!) Most times, nope. In the event I want more coverage and opt for concealer or foundation, the product doesn’t pill in the least. It’s available in four shades that work for a wide range of skin tones. Also! The formula has a matte finish that I personally adore, but if you’re more into the dewy look, their Gleam + Glow formula has my seal of approval too.

This sunscreen is a must-have! Despite my dry and sensitive skin (and I mean sensitive), it gave me a glowy look and kept me feeling hydrated. It doesn’t feel sticky or uncomfortable and glides on super easily. You can go on hikes, horseback riding (what I did!), and it WILL make sure you don’t get a tan.

Erin Chen, Social Media Audience Strategist

This cult-favorite comes highly recommended by dermatologists and apparently everyone on Amazon. (It’s the giant’s #1 best-selling sunscreen and has over 29K ratings!) It goes on clear with zero white cast and is ideal for people with sensitive or acne-prone skin. It also comes in a tinted version that’s just as lightweight and gentle and both work great under makeup!

Allie Litwak, Business Development Director

It’s award-winning, it’s French, and it’s a whopping SPF 60. The La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen is a popular (and personal) favorite for all those reasons and more. It’s incredibly sheer and lightweight, never stings or irritates and doesn’t leave you feeling greasy at all either. The formula is on the thin side which helps it sink in super fast and since the applicator tip is quite small you don’t have to worry about too much coming out.

If you’re looking for a zinc oxide-based sunscreen, this is the sunscreen for you! No white cast, no fragrance and no pilling which is pretty impressive for a zinc formula. This is great for sensitive skin, especially if you get breakouts easily since it’s nice and lightweight. It feels more like a moisturizer than anything, honestly, and that’s always what I’m looking for!

Erin Chen, Social Media Audience Strategist

This sunscreen is on the pricier side, but it definitely keeps you from tanning. I used this throughout a swim program (on the HOTTEST days) and didn’t change a single shade. It’s light and goes on well without pilling under make-up (but you definitely have to rub it in). And because it’s formulated to strengthen when exposed to heat and water, it’s a top choice if you’re going to spend any time pool or beachside.

Erin Chen, Social Media Audience Strategist

I am an absolute skincare junkie with a passion for Skinceuticals cult favorite, C E Ferulic (my Vitamin C indulgence), so when I learned about their sunscreen offering, I needed no convincing. The Daily Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen had me hooked from the first application. For one thing, it’s formulated with 1% tranexamic acid and 2% niacinamide, two ingredients that work to prevent and reverse hyperpigmentation (one of my top skin battles). The multi-tasking formula goes on super smooth with an almost powdery finish and thanks to subtle, reflective mica it instantly brightens my face without looking greasy or sparkly. (I’m over forty. Hold the sparkles please.) It’s spendy but given all the extra work it does, it feels worth the investment.

Sara Goldstein, Commerce Editor

If you’ve got any melanin at all, it can seem all but impossible to find a sunscreen that doesn’t leave a ghostly cast. Mineral sunscreens are totally not your friend, leaving behind that weird bluish tint that takes legit scrubbing to remove. As a white lady with two biracial kids, I’m kind of ashamed to say I never gave this a thought until slathering them with otherwise high-quality formulas that clearly were not developed with dark skin in mind.

Leave it to Rhianna to come to the rescue. Launched in 2020, her Fenty Skin line is built on the same ethos as Fenty Beauty: simple products for all skin types, all skin tones and all genders. And while I love them all, the Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 is a real stand-out. The pearly pink formula pulls double duty as a moisturizer and sunscreen and sinks into my pale skin and my kids’ dark skin equally well. It has a subtle citrusy scent that none of us mind but is worth mentioning since not everyone loves scent in their face products. Also, it’s not water-resistant but perfect for everyday use otherwise.

Sara Goldstein, Commerce Editor

This is the first-ever sunscreen that kept its promise of not causing a breakout, even after multiple applications for multiple days. It applies like any moisturizer–not too thick and easily spreadable. I definitely recommend the 50 SPF (30 is never enough). And at less than $12 bucks, it’s hard to beat!

Hayli Craig, Editorial Operations Manager

As religious as I am about sunscreen application in the morning, I’m not that great about reapplying during the day. I don’t wear a ton of makeup, but I also don’t love re-slathering myself with spreadable formulas without washing my face and starting fresh–a routine I don’t always have time for. Enter powdered sunscreen! A stellar formula for mid-day reapplication, I was introduced to the powdered sunscreen from Colorescience by my facialist. (She swears by their products and has skin a newborn baby would be jealous of, so I’ll take her word on any and all things SPF.) It’s mineral-powered and comes in four different shades which all work brilliantly even over make-up. But my favorite thing is just how easy it is to have with me all the time. Not only is it super compact, but I also don’t worry about it getting spoiled as it sits in my hot car or bakes in my bag in the sun.

Sara Goldstein, Commerce Editor

I’d also be remiss not to mention the award-winning Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50. A viral favorite, I only recently gave this formula a try and have to agree with every bit of hype. The lightweight mineral formula is made with their patented EnviroScreen Technology which blocks not only UVA and UVB rays but also helps defend skin against blue light, pollution and infared radiation. And while it comes out white, it’s packed with the tiniest iron oxide pigments that transform into color coverage which adapt to your skin tone. (It’s plain sorcery if you ask me!) I love the fresh-faced look it gives even without make-up over top and it’s not the least bit greasy or stingy. Choose from four different shades and per the brand’s recommendation, if you’re between shades, go lighter.

Sara Goldstein, Commerce Editor