15 Oil-Free Sunscreens That Feel Like Air and Won't Clog Your Pores

I've been super transparent about my love-hate relationship with sunscreen—a beauty product that, up until recently, I largely avoided due to my sensitive, acne-prone skin. In fact, just looking at 80% of the sunscreens on the market makes my oily skin erupt into one big zit. (Honestly, I wish that was me being dramatic.) Luckily for me and my sunscreen-despising psyche, lots of brands and formulas have come a long way in recent years, and more and more oil-free, acne-safe options have made their way onto the sun-protection scene. 

best-oil-free-sunscreens-300369-1654725415019-main

(Image credit: @soblushing)

By now, we all know that wearing sunscreen every single day (no matter the time of year or weather) is of utmost importance if you want to stave off damage and premature signs of aging. And thanks to the editor-approved selection of oil-free sunscreens below, even the oiliest, most acne-prone people can get by with that daily application sans irritation, clogged pores, and breakouts. Not all oil-free sunscreens are up to our high standards, but rest assured any of the below 15 have our discerning seal of approval. Keep scrolling! 

Best Overall: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

Best Invisible Formula: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

Best for Sensitive Skin: Avène Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50+

Best for Oily Skin: Starface Clear as Day SPF 46

Best Budget-Friendly Find: Coppertone Face SPF 50 Oil-Free Sunscreen Lotion

Best High SPF: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60

Best for Mature Skin: Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 42 With Hyaluronic Acid

Best Pore-Minimizing Formula: Paula's Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50

Best Primer + SPF Combination: Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Primer

Best Refillable Formula: Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Refillable Invisible Face Moisturizer SPF 30

Best for Dry Skin: M-61 Hydraboost Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 40

Best for Face & Body: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizing Water Gel Sunscreen Lotion with Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Best Oil-Absorbing Formula: Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF30

Best for Acne: Neutrogena Clear Face Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 50

Best Sweat-Wicking: Clinique City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 25 Primer

Beauty Director

Erin has been writing a mix of beauty and wellness content for Who What Wear for over four years. Prior to that, she spent two and half years writing for Byrdie. She now calls Santa Monica home but grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and studied writing, rhetoric, and communication at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She studied abroad in Galway, Ireland, and spent a summer in L.A. interning with the Byrdie and Who What Wear family. After graduating from UW, she spent one year in San Francisco, where she worked as a writer for Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen before moving down to L.A. to begin her career as a beauty editor. She considers her day-to-day beauty aesthetic very low-maintenance and relies on staples like clear brow serum (from Kimiko!), Lawless's Lip Plumping Mask in Cherry Vanilla, and an eyelash curler. For special occasions or days when she's taking more meetings or has an event, she'll wear anything and everything from Charlotte Tilbury (the foundations are game-changing), some shimmer on her lids (Stila and Róen do it best), and a few coats of the best mascara-type product on earth, Surratt's Noir Lash Tint.