We've Tested Hundreds of SPF Formulas, But Nothing Tops These 10 Face Sunscreens
See our editor-approved, year-round lineup.
Ask any dermatologist, and they'll tell you that the one part of your skincare routine you should never skip is sunscreen. And despite the reported rise of people skipping on sunscreen in exchange for tanning oil, tanning, and peak UV hours, sunscreen is just as important now as it's ever been.
"The face is one of the most consistently sun-exposed areas of the body and is often where we first see signs of cumulative UV damage," says board-certified dermatologist Dmitriy Schwarzburg, MD,."Daily sunscreen use helps reduce the risk of skin cancer, premature aging, hyperpigmentation, collagen breakdown, and the development of fine lines and wrinkles." And yes, this applies to cloudy days or days spent indoors—it all adds up over time.
I'm well aware that I can use a standard sunscreen made for my body on my face, but using a face sunscreen specifically gives me a different kind of peace of mind. And over the course of my six-year career in beauty, I know a thing or two about which formulas are well worth the investment. So without further ado, here are the 10 face sunscreens to complete any well-rounded skincare regimen.
The Best Face Sunscreens, at a Glance
- Best Overall: Beauty of Joseon Dayscreen 2-in-1 SPF 30 Moisturizer With Green Tea-Ha + Ceramides
- Best for Combination Skin: Lion Pose Unghosted 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 42 With Zinc & Squalane
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Osea Marine Screen Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
- Best Serum: Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum Spf 50+ Facial Sunscreen With Collagen Peptide
- Best Tinted: Merit The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45
The Best Face Sunscreens of 2026
Best Overall: Beauty of Joseon Dayscreen 2-in-1 SPF 30 Moisturizer
I always have a little bit of redness on my face, but some days it's more noticeable than others. Those are the times when I prefer a formula like this one from Beauty of Joseon. The K-beauty brand uses green tea-HA to soothe skin while ceramides promote moisture retention and protect the skin barrier. It's fragrance-free, and it doesn't clog pores.
Pros: Soothing, no fragrance, hydrating, safe for sensitive skin
Cons: None
Sunscreen type: Chemical
Key ingredients: Green tea-HA, ceramide
Fragrance-free: Yes
Customer review: "I am loving this sunscreen. Leaves me glowy but not feeling greasy. Did not break me out. Layers well under make up. Doesn’t have a strong odor or burn my eyes."
Assistant beauty editor Sabrina Talbert testing the Beauty of Joseon Dayscreen 2-in-1 SPF 30 Moisturizer
Best for Combination Skin: Lion Pose Unghosted 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 42
This 100% mineral sunscreen doesn't leave a white cast (hence the name), and it's great for combination skin, which can be tricky to get right. It has a dewy finish that doesn't look greasy, making it a great base for makeup all while treating concerns such as uneven skin tone and dark spots. Plus, it has this super-fresh, almost cucumber scent.
Pros: Smells good, can be worn under makeup
Cons: Can pill without skin prep
Sunscreen type: Mineral
Key ingredients: Super Zinc Non-Nano Zinc Oxide, squalane, glutathione
Fragrance-free: No
Customer review: "I have a medium-dark complexion, and this sunscreen leaves zero white cast on my face. It is so difficult to find a mineral sunscreen that leaves no cast. This one is a winner."
Best for Sensitive Skin: Osea Marine Screen Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Anyone with sensitive skin can appreciate this new formula from Osea. In addition to preventing visible signs of aging, it also smoothes and softens skin. It's untinted, non-greasy, and it doesn't leave a white cast. If you need more proof, check out our full review, where senior e-commerce analyst Charlotte Acevedo also gave it a test.
Pros: No smell, no white cast, safe for sensitive skin
Cons: Can pill without skin prep
Sunscreen type: Mineral
Key ingredients: Non-nano zinc oxide, Undaria seaweed, hyaluronic acid, olive-derived natural silicone alternative
Fragrance-free: Yes
Customer review: "I typically have an issue with face sunscreens. I hate the feeling and tend to break out from them. I love this one! It leaves me glowy and not oily."
Senior e-commerce analyst Charlotte Acevedo testing Osea's Marine Screen Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Best Serum: Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50+ Facial Sunscreen
Sunscreen serums are my go-tos when I'm in the mood for a lightweight formula that I can layer on during hot summer days. That's where this Kiehl's formula comes in. It visibly corrects easy signs of aging like dullness, uneven skin texture, and dark spots. Plus, it gives a glow that's not greasy.
Pros: Treats uneven skin tone, dewy finish, no smell
Cons: Not ideal for acne-prone skin, pricey
Sunscreen type: Chemical
Key ingredients: Collagen peptide
Fragrance-free: No
Customer review: "This is by far the best SPF I have ever used. It goes on so smoothly and melts right into my skin, giving it a healthy nourished glow. There’s no scent or white cast. It’s a beautiful formula and well worth the cost."
Best Gel: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50 Invisible Sun Protection
If you know about Supergoop, you know that it's no surprise to see the brand's Unseen Sunscreen on our list. The gel formula works for all skin types and doesn't clog pores in the process. I love that goes on completely invisible and addresses everything from fine lines and wrinkles to pore visibility and dullness. If you haven't tried this iconic formula before, this is your sign.
Pros: No white cast, doesn't clog pores
Cons: Some users don't like the texture
Sunscreen type: Chemical
Key ingredients: Chamomile-derived bisabolol, licorice root complex, meadowfoam seed oil, antioxidant-rich marine algae
Fragrance-free: No
Customer review: "I have tried so many sunscreens that have either pilled or had a white cast. This sunscreen feels weightless, has no white cast, and gives my skin a nice glow. Worth the price!!"
Best Tinted: Merit The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45
I'm all for a product that can do double the work, which is why I'm a huge fan of Merit's The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen. It's lightweight, has a blurring effect, and plays well with other makeup products. I personally like pairing this formula with my Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick when I want fuller coverage. My colleagues also gave this a test, and it's become a staple in several of their routines.
Pros: Natural finish, easy to layer
Cons: Can pill without skin prep
Sunscreen type: Mineral
Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, final natural powders, lightweight emollients
Fragrance-free: No
Shades: 20
Customer review: "After using this daily for the last few weeks I can honestly say I love it! My skin is so soft while wearing and it stays put with a little setting powder. Perfect amount of coverage for daily wear, and no clogged pores!"
Best for Dry Skin: Isdin Fusion Water Magic SPF 40 Sunscreen
This buy comes as a recommendation from associate beauty editor Alyssa Brascia. (See her full review here.) It's both lightweight and hydrating thanks to the nourishing blend of hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and Mediterranean algae. You can expect no white cast and a dewy finish that never looks greasy.
Pros: Softens skin, dewy finish
Cons: Some don't love the scent
Sunscreen type: Chemical
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, Mediterranean algae
Fragrance-free: No
Customer review: "This sunscreen is amazing. So clean for my face and has not caused any breakouts at all. It goes on so smooth and keeps my face hydrated while protected at the same time. It blends really easily as well."
Best for Dark Spots: Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+
"I'm super obsessed with Tatcha's Milky Sunscreen these days," says Brascia. This formula, made with broad-spectrum UV protection, encapsulated ectoin, vitamin E, and okinawa aloe, was designed to melt into skin within seconds. It also targets UV-induced damage like wrinkles, fine lines, redness, and dark spots while soothing skin.
Pros: Prevents fine lines and wrinkles, absorbs fast
Cons: Not ideal for acne-prone skin
Sunscreen type: Chemical
Key ingredients: Broad-spectrum UV protection, encapsulated ectoin, vitamin E, Okinawa aloe
Fragrance-free: No
Customer review: "I was hoping this wouldn’t be worth it because of the price point. I tried it anyway, and I’m blown away. It sits better than any other SPF I’ve tried under makeup and feels so nice on the skin, no white cast, either!"
Best for Fine Lines: Youth to the People Youthscreen Daily Hydration + Pollution Defense Invisible Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 60
I'm admittedly a fan of Youth to the People products for my sensitive, combination skin, so when Youthscreen came out, trying it was a no-brainer. The formula is hydrating, but it's also noncomedogenic, so I was able to reap the benefits for the drier parts of my face without worrying about causing breakouts where I tend to be oily. The kale and green tea extracts, dandelion root, vitamin E, and jojoba protects skin from premature aging (think fine lines, wrinkles, and dullness).
Pros: Prevents fine lines and wrinkles, doesn't clog pores
Cons: Not ideal for oily skin
Sunscreen type: Chemical
Key ingredients: Kale and green tea extracts, dandelion root, vitamin E, and jojoba
Fragrance-free: No
Customer review: "Oh my goodness! I was so afraid I wasn’t going to like this but I LOVE it!! I will not be going back to my other sunscreen! It applies so easily, doesn’t leave any sticky feeling afterwards and I absolutely love that!"
Best Stick: Eadem Sunsuede SPF 50+ Lightweight Sunscreen & Blurring Primer Stick
This K-beauty sunscreen stick from Eadem is making waves on social media, and for a good reason. This blurring formula provides SPF 50 protection while doubling as a primer for makeup. The shine-control element makes it a particularly good buy for anyone with combo to oily skin, but any skin type can benefit from it.
Pros: Easy to apply, matte finish, primes skin for makeup
Cons: Can pill after reapplying
Sunscreen type: Chemical
Key ingredients: Priming Shine Control Complex, resveratrol, camellia oil, fruit enzyme
Fragrance-free: No
Customer review: "For my girls with a little bit more melanin than most, this is it for us! No white cast, doesn’t feel greasy upon application or after application. No pilling and no scent for my sensitive skin folks - 100% match made in heaven for us."
What should people look for in a face sunscreen?
With plenty of options available on the market, there are a few things to keep in mind before making a purchase. Here are some key pointers from our experts:
SPF level: According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it's recommended to use sunscreen with an SPF level of 30 or higher. "SPF 30 blocks approximately 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 blocks about 98%," says board-certified dermatologist Sejal Shah, MD. She adds that it's also crucial to select a sunscreen labeled "broad-spectrum," which means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
Skin type: A good sunscreen is one that you'll be comfortable using every day. That said, it's important to invest in a product that caters to your skin type. "For acne-prone skin, lighter noncomedogenic formulations are often preferable," says Schwarzburg. "For sensitive skin, mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide tend to be well tolerated."
Water resistance: This may go without saying, but if you plan on spending a lot of time swimming or sweating, you'll want to opt for a water-resistant sunscreen. Just be sure to reapply frequently.
Type: As you saw on our list, there is a wide variety of formula types. There are sticks, gels, serums, creams, etc., so think about what works best for your lifestyle, and go from there. Shah notes that keeping this in mind will also make it easier to stay on top of daily use.
What’s the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreens?
This is one of the more common questions when it comes to sunscreen, but it ultimately comes down to the ingredients and how they function to protect the skin barrier. "Mineral sunscreens, also known as physical sunscreens, create a protective barrier on the skin’s surface that reflects and scatters ultraviolet rays," says Shah. "Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, absorb UV radiation and convert it into heat, which is then released from the skin."
Although one isn't better than the other, your skin type may be an indicator for which formula is best for you. "Mineral sunscreens are often preferred for sensitive skin because they tend to be less irritating and are less likely to cause stinging around the eyes," says Schwarzburg. "Meanwhile, chemical sunscreens often offer a lighter texture and greater transparency on the skin making them easier for many people to wear consistently." With that in mind, that doesn't mean you can't wear chemical sunscreen if you have sensitive skin; you may just want to consider patch testing it before fully committing to it.
How often should sunscreen be reapplied?
The general rule of thumb is to reapply sunscreen every two hours if you're out in the sun. But depending on what your day looks like, you may need to reapply it more or less often. "It should also be reapplied after swimming, sweating, or towel drying," says Shah. "For people spending most of the day indoors a single morning application may be sufficient if UV exposure is minimal." She adds that you might also want to throw on another layer if you sit near windows for long period of time, commute, or eat outdoors during the day.
How We Chose
As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best facial sunscreens, we leaned heavily on firsthand testing and expert insight. We also considered several factors, including type, shade range, fragrance, and key ingredients. We're aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list.
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