What Is the Best Face Sunscreen?
Sunscreen should be worn daily, no matter your ethnicity or the time of year. While for the most part it’s OK to apply body sunscreen all over, you may consider investing in a formula specifically designed for the face—one you can easily incorporate into your skincare routine. In addition to protection against skin cancer and premature aging, a face sunscreen may contain additional skincare properties that your body sunscreen doesn’t, such as antioxidants and acne-fighting ingredients.
To find the best face sunscreens, we researched and reviewed a variety of what’s on the market today, considering type, ingredients, SPF, size, and value. We also tapped three board-certified dermatologists: Dr. Macrene Alexiades, MD, founder of Macrene Actives, Dr. Adam Mamelak, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology, and Dr. Michelle Henry, MD, founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan.
Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen for Acne-Prone Skin at Amazon
$18
$13
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It moisturizes and soothes the skin to prevent acne.
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It might be too greasy for those with oily skin.
For a high-performing chemical sunscreen, Dr. Alexiades recommends La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen SPF 100. It offers broad-spectrum protection, is water resistant, and is suitable for most skin types. With SPF 100, this dermatologist favorite shields you from 99% of harmful UV rays.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen SPF 100 is specifically formulated to help guard sun-sensitive skin that burns easily. Unlike most chemical sunscreens, this face sunscreen is formulated without oxybenzone and octinoxate, making it ideal for those prone to irritation and redness. This choice also contains ingredients that contribute to healthier skin, such as ceramide-3, a lipid that helps retain moisture and protect your skin barrier, and niacinamide, a soothing, anti-inflammatory vitamin beneficial for those with acne-prone skin.
Type: Chemical | SPF: 100 | Size: 3 ounces | Water Resistant: Yes, up to 80 minutes
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It gives you the appearance of smaller pores and layers well under makeup.
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This mattifying sunscreen may be too drying for those with dry skin.
We picked Supergoop! Mineral Mattescreen SPF 40 as our all-time-favorite mineral sunscreen, and it’s easy to see why. It visibly blurs pores and smooths the appearance of skin, creating a perfect canvas for your makeup. The oil-free and lightweight cream leaves a matte finish, too, making it ideal for those with normal to oily and sensitive skin. The formula uses wild butterfly ginger (to shield the skin against blue light) and antioxidizing bamboo extract (to protect the skin against free radicals), and it blends out nicely across most skin tones (no white cast!). For a glowier finish, there’s