The best sunscreen for your face is the one you’ll actually use every day. It’s perfectly fine to apply the sunscreen you use on your body on your face as well, though face-specific formulas can be more comfortable to wear.
To find facial sunscreens to suit a range of skin types, tones, and sensitivity levels, we considered dozens of options, and we conducted brand-concealed evaluations with a panel of 30 total testers who have different complexions. Some of our recommendations are more moisturizing, some contain no chemical UV filters, and others play better on dark skin or under makeup.
Our picks include chemical sunscreens, which contain filters that absorb UV light; physical (or mineral) sunscreens, which block UV light; and combination sunscreens, which contain some mix of chemical and physical active ingredients. The manufacturers of two of our picks, Hero Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 and Vanicream Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30, advertise these formulas as “reef safe.” Based on their listed ingredients, this checks out. (Wirecutter also has recommendations for reef-safe sunscreens in larger bottles.)
Like all sunscreens, the ones we recommend should be reapplied every two hours, so they achieve their promised effectiveness (most people don’t apply enough sunscreen, or they don’t reapply it often enough).
Chemical sunscreens we like
Chemical sunscreens contain active ingredients that absorb UV light. Compared with physical and combination sunscreens, chemical formulas are generally easier to rub in, blend well with other skin-care and makeup products, and look and feel less noticeable on the skin.
Those okayed by the FDA for sale in the US contain one or more of the following active ingredients: avobenzone, cinoxate, dioxybenzone, ensulizole, homosalate, meradimate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, oxybenzone, padimate O, or sulisobenzone. (The FDA says it is working with sunscreen manufacturers to further establish the safety and efficacy of these 12 UV filters.)
Banana Boat Light As Air SPF 50+
This sunscreen—Wirecutter’s top pick chemical sunscreen for body application—also works well as a face sunscreen, and it’s ideal for people who want an unfussy, non-greasy option that’s widely available for a great price.
Why it’s great
It’s a crowd-pleaser. Banana Boat Light As Air SPF 50+ rubs in easily and blends well on a range of skin tones. And it has a nice, breezy scent—one tester likened the smell to a “mild cantaloupe” upon application (the scent disappears after this formula is fully dried down).
It blends in quickly. We also liked that it didn’t take a lot of effort to spread this sunscreen on skin and that it stayed in place, which meant there was less chance it would sting the eyes. One tester said it immediately melted into their skin and gave their face a “soft, slightly powdery texture,” which they liked.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The fragrance may not be for everyone. Though none of our testers seemed to mind, this sunscreen does have a noticeable scent that might bother some. Also, a couple of testers noted a slight burning or tingling sensation on their skin right when they applied this sunscreen.
The “face” formula costs more. Banana Boat Light As Air Face SPF 50+ is the same formula repackaged in a smaller bottle. At the time of publication, it cost $3 more per ounce than the “body” version.
Key specs
- SPF: 50+
- Type of protection: chemical
- Active ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (9%), octisalate (4%), octocrylene (5%)
- Water resistant: yes, up to 80 minutes
- Price per ounce (at the time of publication): $1.67
Solimo Sheer Face Sunscreen SPF 30
If you’re okay with a slightly less matte look (when compared with our pick from Banana Boat) or want to save a few dollars over other dedicated facial sunscreens, this formula feels surprisingly lightweight and is a fine choice for daily wear.
Why it’s great
It’s lightweight and moisturizing. Solimo Sheer Face Sunscreen SPF 30 doesn’t feel heavy on the skin, even though it’s a bit greasier than Banana Boat Light As Air SPF 50+.
It’s less than $2 an ounce. There’s a premium attached to many sunscreens formulated specifically for faces, but not this Amazon branded one. While the price of this sunscreen can vary depending on your location, it’s the first of our face-specific recommendations that costs less than $2 per ounce, on average.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
It can look shiny. This is not a matte sunscreen, and throughout the day (and under makeup) it can get a bit greasy, especially on oily skin.
It smells a touch medicinal. While the smell eventually dissipates, our testers found the fragrance polarizing.
Key specs
- SPF: 30
- Type of protection: chemical
- Active ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (10%), octisalate (5%), octocrylene (6%)
- Water resistant: yes
- Price per ounce (at the time of publication): $1.64
Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30
This sunscreen is a great choice for people who want a less-expensive hydrating option that won’t leave a white cast.
Why it’s great
It’s thick yet blends smoothly. Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 has a nice, full texture to it (one tester compared it to Greek yogurt). It smells faintly of classic sunscreen—the kind you catch a whiff of at the beach as kids breeze by—but it isn’t overpowering. Upon application, this sunscreen does not immediately melt into the skin; it takes a little elbow grease to fully blend in the white formula.
It’s moisturizing. We like this sunscreen’s creamy texture, which testers said felt weightless on their skin. Because this sunscreen feels so hydrating, a tester who normally wears a separate moisturizer said they were able to skip it. It leaves a dewy finish that most of our testers appreciated, though some thought it made them look greasy.
It’s for everyone. Despite its name, this sunscreen will appeal to a wide array of people. If your skin is prone to dryness, this one may be a good fit for you.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
You may not like it if you have oily skin. Because Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 is slow to dry, it can leave what feels like a sticky layer on the skin after application. Though some testers liked that this produced a glossy finish, others thought it made them look too shiny. If you have oily skin, you may not like the sheen of this sunscreen.
Key specs
- SPF: 30
- Type of protection: chemical
- Active ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (10%), octisalate (5%), octocrylene (2.75%)
- Water resistant: yes, up to 80 minutes
- Price per ounce (at the time of publication): $5
Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50
People who want a lightweight, almost invisible formula may like this sunscreen the best. It will also appeal to those who want the option of buying an economical jug with a pump dispenser.
Why it’s great
It’s nearly imperceptible on the skin. We’ve found Supergoop’s Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 easy to rub in and nearly invisible after application. We like the way Play Everyday smells: minty with a hint of floral. Right out of the bottle, it binds quickly with the skin and doesn’t leave a white cast.
It comes in a wide range of bottle sizes. Unlike our other picks, this one comes in four sizes. Play Everyday is currently $10 per ounce in the smallest bottle. But if you buy the 18-ounce jug, it’s currently $3.78 per ounce—which is less expensive per ounce than any of our other face-sunscreen picks. “I’m partial to this giant pump format,” said one Wirecutter staffer who has relied on this sunscreen for the past five years and finds it nicely moisturizing. “It’s great encouragement for making sure you slather on the right amount every day.”
It’s not so pricey that you won’t want to use it. Another long-term tester said the economy size was “affordable enough that I can use it on more than just my face.” And they added possibly the strongest endorsement: “My preschooler tolerates it.”
Flaws but not dealbreakers
It may not be for you if you’re looking for something more mattifying. Some testers noted that this sunscreen left them feeling greasy, like there was a layer of gunk on top of their skin that never completely dried. If you’re unsure whether this is the right sunscreen for you, try the 2.4-ounce tube first.
Key specs
- SPF: 50
- Type of protection: chemical
- Active ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (10%), octisalate (5%), octocrylene (7.5%)
- Water resistant: yes, up to 80 minutes
- Price per ounce (at the time of publication): $10 (small tube), $3.78 (large jug)
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50
This sunscreen is a great choice for people who are willing to splurge a little for an invisible formula that spreads easily, and for those seeking something that layers well with makeup.
Why it’s great
It goes on like a makeup primer. Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50 is a clear gel, so you’ll avoid any white cast whatsoever. It spreads on skin much more easily than just about anything else we tried: One tester said it was “instantly absorbing” and felt sort of like a makeup primer. In fact, this formula shares a main ingredient—dimethicone crosspolymer—with some primers and thus creates a smooth, if slightly greasy, surface.
It’s easier to reapply than most sunscreens. The Unseen sunscreen “stays on great under makeup or can be reapplied throughout the day on top of makeup without looking oily or sticky,” said a long-term tester. It’s also small enough to stash in a bag or purse. Wirecutter contributor Hunter Harris proclaimed it’s “the only sunscreen that’s actually invisible” on her skin.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The texture can be off-putting to some. Some testers didn’t like that this sunscreen felt greasy, with a texture like watery petroleum jelly.
It’s pricey. At $19 per ounce in the largest size bottle (2.5 ounces), this is one of the most expensive sunscreens we recommend. Since this formula is essentially invisible and doubles as a makeup primer, we think it may be well worth it for people who prioritize these qualities in a sunscreen. But we’ve found that Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 is nearly as good, for about a quarter of the price.
Key specs
- SPF: 50
- Type of protection: chemical
- Active ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (7%), octisalate (5%), octocrylene (9%)
- Water resistant: yes, up to 40 minutes
- Price per ounce (at the time of publication): $19
Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40
People who want the look and feel of Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 without spending as much may find Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 to be a satisfying substitute.
Why it’s great
It’s a near-perfect lower-cost dupe for the pricier Supergoop Unseen. Among all the Supergoop Unseen-like formulas we’ve evaluated, the Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen is our favorite. It’s a clear-gel chemical sunscreen that leaves no white cast at all. This formula has all of the same active ingredients (in slightly different concentrations) and many of the same inactive ingredients as its pricier counterpart. One tester thought it settled in a velvety texture without “that weird matte feeling.” Another tester thought we’d simply sent them another sample of the Unseen Sunscreen. (All of our testers try brand-concealed samples.) Like Supergoop Unseen, Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen contains no added fragrance and is nearly unscented.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
It’s available only in stores. Like all Trader Joe’s products, this sunscreen is available only in stores (and even then it can be difficult to find). You might find tubes for sale online through third-party sellers, but there’s no guarantee they will be the real deal or have the best pricing.
Key specs
- SPF: 40
- Type of protection: chemical
- Active ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (12%), octisalate (5%), octocrylene (6%)
- Water resistant: yes, up to 40 minutes
- Price per ounce (at the time of publication): $5.80
CeraVe AM Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion With Sunscreen SPF 30
This formula may be great for people with sensitive skin who want a combination moisturizer and sunscreen, and for those who don’t mind a scented sunscreen.
Why it’s great
It’s a good compromise between moisturizer and sunscreen. If neither all-chemical nor all-physical formulas have been cutting it for you, and your skin needs a little extra moisture throughout the day, try CeraVe AM Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion With Sunscreen SPF 30. It rubs in easily without leaving a greasy feel on the skin. One tester said it has a “nice, silky feel and a matte appearance, but isn’t drying.” Nearly all of our testers found that it blended well with their various skin tones.
It’s a thinner formula than the classic version. We still like the original formula, the CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion, which is a combination sunscreen, but the Ultra-Light version scored higher in our most recent round of testing. Testers previously thought the OG formula was hard to rub in and left a slight white cast, but no one who tried the Ultra-Light version had these complaints.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
It has an overpowering “sunscreen” smell. The negative feedback testers gave about this sunscreen had mostly to do with the scent. One said it “smelled like sunscreen from the ’90s.”
Key specs
- SPF: 30
- Type of protection: chemical
- Active ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (10%), octisalate (5%), octocrylene (2.7%)
- Water resistant: no
- Price per ounce (at the time of publication): $9.14
Physical sunscreens we like
Physical sunscreens, also known as mineral sunscreens, are designed to scatter UV light that reaches the skin’s surface. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the active ingredients that can be found in physical sunscreens that are FDA-okayed for sale in the US.
Compared with chemical and combination sunscreens, physical formulas tend to have a thicker texture and take more time to absorb. They’re also more likely to leave a white cast, particularly on the darkest and fairest skin tones. In place of—or in addition to—creating a chalky appearance, some physical sunscreens can look overly greasy, even when fully rubbed in.
Vanicream Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30
This formula is the least expensive physical face sunscreen we’ve considered that qualifies as “reef safe,” and it’s beloved by people with sensitive skin. But it’s not water-resistant.
Why it’s great
It’s fragrance-free. Free of fragrances and other potential irritants commonly in facial sunscreens, Vanicream Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30 is a great choice for people with more acne-prone or sensitive skin.
It leaves less of a white cast than most physical sunscreens. On most people, there is a minimal white cast that over time becomes almost imperceptible—especially under makeup.
It’s reef-safe. Made with non-nano zinc oxide, this face sunscreen meets reef-safe guidelines at less than half the cost of our other reef-safe pick, Hero Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
It’s not water-resistant. If you’ll be swimming or sweating, you’ll likely want a different sunscreen.
Key specs
- SPF: 30
- Type of protection: physical
- Active ingredients: non-nano zinc oxide (19.5%)
- Water resistant: no
- Price per ounce (at the time of publication): $5.59
Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+
People who want a well-balanced physical sunscreen that doesn’t appear greasy or feel chalky will likely appreciate this formula.
Why it’s great
It’s slightly scented and feels light on the skin. Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ received high marks in our panel tests for its “fresh, light orange scent,” and it doesn’t feel chalky or oily after completely setting on the skin.
It’s an effortless physical sunscreen. This sunscreen rubs in easily and has an almost matte finish that doesn’t feel drying—a feat for a mineral formula. It can have a slight blue sheen on darker skin tones right after application, but that goes away after a few seconds.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
It’s probably not for people looking for a more hydrating option. While none of our testers found this formula drying, we don’t think people with dry skin will like the way it feels—it’s not overly moisturizing, and it tends to set with a matte-like finish. If you’re looking for a hydrating option, consider Hero Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 or Paula’s Choice Daily Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30.
It’s not cheap. At $23.66 per ounce (at the time of publication), this sunscreen is one of our more expensive picks. However, because it doesn’t fall victim to the common setbacks of mineral sunscreens—a white cast, chalkiness, greasiness, poor absorption—we think it’s worth it.
Key specs
- SPF: 50+
- Type of protection: physical
- Active ingredients: titanium dioxide (4.10%), zinc oxide (11.50%)
- Water resistant: no
- Price per ounce (at the time of publication): $23.66
Hero Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30
This moderately priced formula is for people who want an easy-wearing physical sunscreen that doesn’t feel chalky or leave a white cast. Plus, it qualifies as “reef safe.”
Why it’s great
You probably won’t hate it. Not a glowing review, we know, but it’s hard to find a mineral formula that isn’t overly drying or grainy, or that doesn’t leave a white cast. Hero Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 exceeded our expectations when compared with similarly priced options. Plus, like the Vanicream Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30 we recommend, it’s reef-safe (but not water-resistant).
The bottle is well designed. We like that the tube this sunscreen comes in dispenses enough for a generous application in a single pump. One tester said it was “easy to apply the right amount,” which means you’ll probably be encouraged to wear more instead of less.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
It’s not water-resistant. If you plan to swim or sweat, consider another sunscreen.
It doesn’t blend well in facial hair. Our bearded tester simply said that it was a “bad beard fail,” getting caught in their facial hair and never blending in. They didn’t like the feel of the sunscreen either—it was too tacky.
The green tint doesn’t seem to do anything. Although this sunscreen is marketed toward people with acne-prone skin, with a sheer/green tint that “blurs redness,” none of our testers noticed a difference. One tester said they were specifically looking forward to a sunscreen option that might conceal redness, “but it did not.”
Key specs
- SPF: 30
- Type of protection: physical
- Active ingredients: non-nano zinc oxide (17.53%)
- Water resistant: no
- Price per ounce (at the time of publication): $11.80
A combination sunscreen we like
Combination sunscreens contain a mixture of chemical and physical active ingredients, and they try—and often fail—to offer the best of both worlds. Generally, they still have the same drawbacks of both types of sunscreens, most notably leaving a whitish appearance (physical sunscreens) or being too oily or greasy (chemical ones).
Olay Complete Daily Moisturizer With Sunscreen SPF 30
