The 9 Best Sunscreens For Oily Skin, According To Dermatologists
If you have oily skin, you may find that sunscreens can leave behind a greasy sheen on your complexion. To find the right version, you’ll want to consider formula type, oil-free labeling and of course your own preferences in feel and finish. The best sunscreens for oily skin are lightweight, non-occlusive (i.e. they don’t clog pores) and include the right combination of sebum-absorbing, mattifying ingredients while providing broad-spectrum sun protection. That’s exactly what you’ll find in our top pick for this category, La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Clear Skin sunscreen, which has a dry-touch formula that’s specifically formulated to absorb excess sebum and reduce shine.
Since the right sunscreen for this skin type might look different from person to person, we scoured the market to find SPFs that meet a wide range of preferences. From tinted options to gel formulas, find our recommendations for the very best sunscreens for oily skin.
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Best Sunscreen Overall For Oily Skin : La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Sunscreen
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Best Drugstore Sunscreen For Oily Skin: CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
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Best Luxury Sunscreen For Oily Skin: Isdin Eryfotona Actinica
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Best Face Sunscreen For Oily Skin: EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen
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Best Tinted Sunscreen For Oily Skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Sunscreen
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Best Sunscreen For Combination Skin: Curology Everyday Sunscreen
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Best Korean Sunscreen For Oily Skin: Innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen
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Best Gel Sunscreen For Oily Skin: Dune Suncare The Mug Guard
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Best Tinted Moisturizer With SPF: BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Natural Matte Tinted Moisturizer
Best Sunscreen Overall For Oily Skin
An SPF 60 Lotion That Absorbs Oil And Reduces Shine
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Sunscreen
Type: Chemical | Size: 1.7 fluid ounces | Scent: None | Finish: Matte
What you’ll love:
- High SPF
- Reduces shine and mattifies skin, even in high heat and humidity
Keep in mind:
- Dry-touch formula requires quick application
With a formula that includes oil-absorbing ingredients like perlite and silica, La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Clear Skin Sunscreen is designed to reduce shine even in hot, humid weather. The oil-free formula also includes potent antioxidants and the brand’s signature ingredient: thermal spring water sourced from France, which is high in minerals, trace elements and selenium. The lightweight chemical sunscreen has a high SPF 60 along with the dermatologist-recommended UVA and UVB protection.
Best Drugstore Sunscreen For Oily Skin
A Non-Greasy, Affordable Formula
CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Type: Chemical | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.7 fluid ounces | Scent: None | Finish: Matte
What you’ll love:
- Oil-free
- Gentle formula
Keep in mind:
- Some reviewers say it has a strong odor
The lightweight texture and oil-free formula make this budget-friendly pick feel more like moisturizer than sunscreen despite its SPF 30 sun protection. The non-greasy, non-comedogenic sunscreen lotion, which made our list of the best sunscreens, includes hyaluronic acid and ceramides to maintain moisture and restore the skin barrier. It dries to a matte finish, which is a major plus for oily skin. All of CeraVe products are developed in conjunction with dermatologists, and this sunscreen is allergy-tested and free of both fragrance and parabens. Best of all, it’s easy to find at local drugstores and pharmacies, often for less than $20 on sale.
Best Luxury Sunscreen For Oily Skin
An Ultra-Sheer Formula With Skin-Repairing Actives
Isdin Eryfotona Actinica
Type: Mineral | SPF: 50 | Size: 3.4 fluid ounces | Scent: Lightly powdery | Finish: Matte
What you’ll love:
- Sheer, lightweight and quick to absorb
- Includes antioxidants and photolyase to help repair damaged skin
Keep in mind:
- It’s scented
- The formula is runny
Isdin’s mineral sunscreen, one of our top tested picks for the best mineral sunscreens overall, has a thin, watery texture that spreads evenly and absorbs almost immediately, leaving a matte finish. Zinc oxide, which has natural oil-absorbing properties, gives the formula a high SPF rating of 50. Meanwhile, its antioxidant- and photolyase-rich formula is said to help repair sun-damaged skin, which is a great bonus if you spend long days outside. The Isdin sunscreen does have a light, powdery scent, but it fades relatively quickly.
Best Face Sunscreen For Oily Skin
An Hybrid SPF That Won’t Trigger Breakouts
EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen
Type: Hybrid | SPF: 46 | Size: 1.7 fluid ounces| Scent: None | Finish: Matte
What you’ll love:
- Hybrid formula that includes both chemical and mineral actives
- Matte finish to nix shine
Keep in mind:
- May leave a white cast on dark skin tones
This oil-free, non-comedogenic sunscreen includes both mineral and chemical sun protection in the forms of zinc oxide and octinoxate. It features prominently on several Forbes Vetted lists, including stories on the best sunscreens, face sunscreens and sunscreens for sensitive skin. It’s highly recommended by dermatologists, too, thanks to ingredients like skin-smoothing lactic acid and niacinamide, which helps balance sebum production. The gentle formula works well for acne-prone skin, and the lightweight texture goes on smoothly with a non-greasy finish.
Best Tinted Sunscreen For Oily Skin
A Tinted Mineral Option With A Matte Finish
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Sunscreen
Type: Mineral | SPF: 50 | Size: 1.7 fluid ounces | Scent: None | Finish: Matte
What you’ll love:
- Non-greasy and absorbs quickly
- No white cast
Keep in mind:
- Goes on thin and shiny, but mattifies quickly
Mineral sunscreens often leave behind a white cast, but this pick from La Roche-Posay (which made our list of the best tinted sunscreens) has a pigmented mineral formula that easily blends into most skin tones. It absorbs quickly, dries to a matte finish and offers great SPF 50 broad-spectrum coverage, plus a healthy dose of antioxidants. The dermatologist-recommended formula is a great pick for both oily and sensitive skin.
Best Sunscreen For Combination Skin
A Long-Lasting Daily Sunscreen With A Soft Finish
Curology Everyday Sunscreen
Type: Mineral | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.7 fluid ounces | Scent: None | Finish: Soft-focus
What you’ll love:
- Soft-focus finish leaves skin looking fresh
- Oil-absorbing ingredients
Keep in mind:
- May leave a white cast on darker skin tones
Curology’s mineral sunscreen includes oil-absorbing dimethicone and zinc oxide, which helps minimize shine on your T-zone throughout the day. The non-greasy sunscreen goes on slightly tacky, but sinks in quickly and leaves a soft-focus finish that layers well under makeup. The non-comedogenic formula won’t clog pores, and the mineral protection shields the skin against both UVA and UVB rays. Reviewers say it’s a great everyday option for reliable sun protection.
Best Korean Sunscreen For Oily Skin
A Deeply Hydrating Formula That Neutralizes Redness
Innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen
Type: Mineral | SPF: 45 | Size: 1.69 fluid ounces| Scent: None | Finish: Satin
What you’ll love:
- Lightweight and hydrating
- Green tint corrects redness
Keep in mind:
- Goes on slightly shiny but dries quickly to a satin finish
Eight types of hyaluronic acid and squalane in this lightweight mineral sunscreen hydrate without making skin look oily, while a subtle green tint neutralizes redness for a more even skin tone. The soothing, zinc-based formula won’t clog pores, and it’s safe for even sensitive skin. The silky formula has a soft, satin finish, though reviewers note that it looks a little shiny when it’s first applied.
Best Gel Sunscreen For Oily Skin
An Antioxidant-Rich Gel Formula
Dune Suncare The Mug Guard
Type: Chemical | SPF: 30 | Size: 2.4 fluid ounces | Scent: None | Finish: Natural
What you’ll love:
- Quick to absorb
- Antioxidants and botanicals protect and repair
Keep in mind:
- Finish is glowy at first, before losing its shine
This hydrating gel sunscreen includes hibiscus sabdariffa fruit extract, which has natural antioxidants that help minimize the effects of UVA and UVB rays, while protecting skin against free radicals. The SPF 30 formula sinks in quickly, with a serum-like texture that spreads easily and gently plumps skin. The green tint also helps ease redness and enhances all complexions without pilling under makeup.
Best Tinted Moisturizer With SPF
An Easily Layerable Skin Tint With 20 Shades To Choose From
BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Natural Matte Tinted Moisturizer
Type: Mineral | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.18 fluid ounces | Scent: None | Finish: Natural matte
What you’ll love:
- Wide range of shades
- Instantly controls oil and shine
Keep in mind:
- Best if applied with a sponge or brush
This tinted moisturizer from BareMinerals—featured in our roundup of the
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