Sporting SPF each day is usually a arduous promote in case your pores and skin is susceptible to shine—in any case, who needs so as to add extra greasiness to already-oily pores and skin? However a sunscreen formulated particularly for greasy pores and skin could make the every day behavior lots simpler to stay with. It’ll have a lighter consistency and comprise mattifying or oil-absorbing elements that’ll depart your pores and skin wanting contemporary, not slick. If each SPF you’ve tried has left your face with a greasy sheen or heavy really feel, permit us to introduce you to one of the best sunscreens for greasy pores and skin, hand-picked by dermatologists and Attract editors. Upon getting your holy grail, you’ll by no means skip placing on SPF once more.
Our Prime Sunscreens for Oily Pores and skin
Incessantly Requested Questions
Finest General: Shiseido City Atmosphere Oil-Free Mineral Sunscreen SPF 42
This light-weight, fluid sunscreen is every little thing you could possibly need in an SPF for greasy pores and skin. First off: Shiseido City Atmosphere Oil-Free Mineral Sunscreen SPF 42 is oil-free (therefore the identify), which is a must have if you’re anxious a couple of system feeling greasy and including to the slickness of your pores and skin. Not solely will this not contribute to grease, it’ll actively assist get rid of it with dimethicone and silica—two elements that take up oil and provides your pores and skin a smoother, shine-free end (consider it like your favourite mattifying primer). Don’t fear, although—the system is noncomedogenic, so these silicones gained’t clog your pores and trigger breakouts.
It additionally packs hydrating elements like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to be sure to’re not missing in moisture—as a result of everyone knows drying out your pores and skin isn’t the reply to fixing oiliness. If that’s not sufficient to persuade you to slide this into your seaside bag, know that it’s additionally waterproof for as much as 40 minutes. You possibly can splash round to your coronary heart’s content material and look nice whereas doing it.
Tester suggestions from contributing commerce author Annie Blackman
“An oily sunscreen is like nails on a chalkboard for me, particularly throughout summer season months the place my face will get oily by itself. This Shiseido sunscreen is oil-free, light-weight, and leaves no white solid. The bottle is smaller than I anticipated, nevertheless it has turned out to be factor as a result of it slips proper into my purse. I normally like creamier formulation, however I respect the thinness mixed with the excessive safety stage.”
Sunscreen kind/Key elements
mineral/glycerin, hyaluronic acid, camellia leaf extract, turmeric
Finest for Zits-Inclined Pores and skin: SkinCeuticals Clear Day by day Soothing UV Protection Sunscreen SPF 50
Why it is price it: The SkinCeuticals Clear Day by day Soothing UV Protection Sunscreen SPF 50 is a mineral-chemical hybrid that was particularly examined on acne-prone pores and skin to verify it doesn’t flare up breakouts. Its star elements are peptides, which soothe sensitivity, and bisabolol—an anti-inflammatory that’ll settle down redness. And it leaves out doubtlessly irritating elements like perfume and comedogens which may clog pores.
Tester suggestions from commerce editor Sarah Han
“In the event you don’t need to compromise glow within the seek for calming, non-irritating formulation, that is it. SkinCeuticals’ Clear Day by day leaves my pores and skin wanting radiant after three small pumps (it’s tougher to portion out the two-finger rule with a pump, so I believe this is kind of an ample quantity) whereas peptides and bisabolol decrease any redness I’ve round my nostril and cheeks. It takes slightly longer to mix in in comparison with most 100% chemical sunscreens I’ve tried, nevertheless it dries right down to a seamless, cast-free, and semi-dewy end on my light-medium Asian skintone.”
Sunscreen kind/key elements
mineral and chemical/peptides, bisabolol, glycerin
Finest Tinted: Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Ageless Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Why it is price it: In line with Brooklyn-based board-certified dermatologist Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, MD, the Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Ageless Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is a perfect decide for the oiliest of complexions, as a consequence of its grease-free end and common tint that blends into your pores and skin tone. It’s additionally a terrific decide for mature pores and skin, because it incorporates skin-firming peptides to scale back the look of early-stage sagging and high-quality traces.
Tester suggestions from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
“My pores and skin is so oily, you’d suppose I might get an invitation to OPEC. Whereas I’ve discovered completely serviceable sunscreens that do not make me look greasy, this one stands out as a result of it leaves my pores and skin wanting matte, however not overly flat or one-dimensional. The tint does loads of heavy lifting for my pores and skin tone—on which most mineral sunscreens look chalky—and I really like that this has zero scent to talk of.”
Sunscreen kind/key elements
mineral/glycerin, peptides, vitamin E
Finest for Delicate Pores and skin: Extremely Violette Velvet Display SPF 50
Why it is price it: Perfume-free and made with zinc oxide, Extremely Violette Velvet Display SPF 50 is a superb possibility for delicate pores and skin. It additionally delivers critical skin-nourishing advantages, too: It packs vitamin C from kakadu plum that’ll brighten your pores and skin whereas Pentavintin (a hydrating plant extract) brings hydration into the equation. Plus, it offers pores and skin a blurred end that may stand as much as the solar’s warmth. The feel is on the thicker aspect, so give this a beat to sink into your pores and skin earlier than making use of make-up.
Tester suggestions from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann
“I just lately spent the weekend at Coachella, outdoor and in 100-degree warmth for 3 days straight, and this gentle matte sunscreen saved my life. Not solely did I handle to not get sunburned in any respect, the velvety end actually helped my make-up from turning right into a gloopy, gooey mess.”
Sunscreen kind/key elements
mineral/kakadu plum, pentavitin, glycerin
Finest Korean: Then I Met You Essence Gentle Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++
Why it’s price it: Having elements of your face really feel tremendous dry whereas your T-zone can’t appear to cease pumping out oil could be very actual—and likewise tough to navigate on the subject of merchandise. However this Korean sunscreen is a protected guess for mixture pores and skin. Then I Met You Essence Gentle Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++ makes use of a trio of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and panthenol to strengthen the pores and skin’s moisture barrier whereas antioxidants from galactomyces ferment filtrate (a by-product of fermented sake) soothe and cut back the looks of pores. It gained’t fully eliminate shine, nevertheless it’ll give your pores and skin a wholesome sheen that appears dewy fairly than greasy.
Tester suggestions from affiliate magnificence director Sarah Kinonen
“Technically, I’ve mixture pores and skin, however catch me mid-day and you will see me shine from throughout the room. Whereas the Then I Met You Essence Gentle Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++ does not sop up oil and even forestall it, it does play into my every day gleam in one of the best, most useful approach by giving my pores and skin dehydrated much-needed moisture (within the type of ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol) because it protects it. I’ve gone by two, possibly three of those tubes already—it is one of the best!”
Sunscreen kind/key elements
chemical/galactomyces ferment filtrate, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, panthenol
Finest Clear: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Why it is price it: Board-certified dermatologist Jeannette Graf, MD, a professor at Mount Sinai College of Drugs, suggests EltaMD’s barely-there UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, touting its potential to scale back shine and clear pores by means of lactic acid. Consider this as extra of a mattifying moisturizer than a sunscreen. Though it is boosted with sodium hyaluronate (a type of hyaluronic acid) to hydrate pores and skin, it’s going to by no means really feel oily or sticky. FYI: We’ve discovered that it helps to present the formulation a couple of minutes to set earlier than making use of make-up to keep away from pilling.
Tester suggestions from Attract contributor Jessica Kasparian
Jessica Kasparian says this sunscreen has a dreamy texture that’s simple to reapply: “This is among the first zinc oxide-based SPFs I attempted and really appreciated. It feels creamy whereas I’m rubbing it in and it has a gentle matte end (learn: it doesn’t make my face look shiny or powdery).”
Sunscreen kind/key elements
chemical and mineral/niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
Finest Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Extremely Gentle Fluid Sunscreen SPF 60
Why it is price it: The La Roche-Posay Anthelios Extremely Gentle Fluid Sunscreen SPF 60 supplies the entire light-weight, oil-free solar safety you could possibly ever ask for, which is why it gained a Better of Magnificence Award in 2024. It feels extra like a primer on the pores and skin, because of its silky matte end, and make-up fantastically layers on prime. Together with giving your pores and skin broad-spectrum SPF 60, it gives up a dose of senna alata, a tropical leaf extract that is wealthy in free radical damage-reducing antioxidants.
Tester suggestions from senior information editor Nicola Dall’Asen
“It delivers a no-nonsense, no-cast, no-rubbing-in-for-20-minutes sunscreen—a dream come true for a lady like me, who dreads every day sunscreen utility. It protects from the solar rapidly and with out the greasy-feeling mess and chemical scent that sunscreen can usually depart behind, all at an affordable drugstore worth.”
Sunscreen kind/key elements
chemical/senna alata, thermal spring water, vitamin E
Different sunscreens for greasy pores and skin to contemplate
- In case you have easily-inflamed pores and skin, the Supergoop Mineral Mattescreen Sunscreen SPF 40 ($40) is price a shot, because it’s light-weight and calming. It has a light-weight system that guards in opposition to damaging solar rays whereas antioxidant-rich bamboo extracts shield in opposition to free radical injury and frivolously situation the pores and skin.
- If you need one thing sweat- and waterproof, the Colorescience Sunforgettable Whole Safety Face Defend SPF 50 ($49) has your again. It’s resistant for 40 minutes, so you may take an extra-long dip within the pool or do an additional lap in your run with out worrying concerning the system carrying off.
- In the event you’re anxious about air pollution, the Alastin HydraTint Professional Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36 ($64) incorporates ectoin, which helps defend pores and skin in opposition to blue mild and air pollution. Its light-weight system is non-comedogenic, so it gained’t clog pores, and it offers pores and skin a wholesome sheen with out wanting greasy.
- In the event you’re on a funds, think about selecting up the Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50. Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York Metropolis, says the Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 will get her seal of approval for greasy pores and skin sorts due to its light-weight really feel and spectacular oil management. “This mineral sunscreen dries and will not depart the pores and skin feeling greasy, making it a terrific possibility for these with oily pores and skin,” she says. “It additionally incorporates vitamin E to guard in opposition to free radical injury.” Bonus: This face sunscreen is hypoallergenic, fragrance- and paraben-free, and full of soothing elements, making it a winner for these susceptible to redness.
Incessantly Requested Questions
Ought to oily pores and skin use mineral sunscreen?
You possibly can if that’s your choice. In line with Corona Del Mar-based board-certified dermatologist Stefani Kappel, MD, begin with oil-free, mineral sunscreens that comprise zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. “These not solely provide higher safety in opposition to UVA and UVB rays, however they’re naturally much less comedogenic, or acne-causing, than chemical sunscreens,” she says. (That stated, chemical sunscreens do provide large benefits; they’re normally simpler to mix into deeper pores and skin tones, and really feel light-weight on pores and skin, which is why we have included some good choices for greasy sorts within the beneath checklist.)
Which elements do you have to keep away from in a sunscreen for greasy pores and skin?
Along with the kind of sunscreen filter, keep away from formulation that comprise pore-clogging oils, like coconut, soybean, and wheat germ oils. Whereas they’re preferrred for dry pores and skin (and price contemplating when you have mixture pores and skin), they might inadvertently activate sebum manufacturing, which is usually a downside for a pores and skin kind that already has bigger oil-producing sebaceous glands.
Meet the consultants
- Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based mostly in Brooklyn
- Jeannette Graf, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and professor at Mount Sinai College of Drugs based mostly in New York Metropolis
- Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based mostly in New York Metropolis
- Stefani Kappel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based mostly in Corona Del Mar
How we check and assessment merchandise
When Attract checks a product, our editors have a look at it from each angle in an effort to finest serve you. We assessment elements, scrutinize model claims, and, when vital, study peer-reviewed scientific and medical research. Along with testing each product that is included in each assessment, we depend on consultants who form their fields, together with dermatology, beauty chemistry, and drugs, to assist us vet the elements and formulation.
