What are the benefits of face sunscreens?

According to Madfes, daily exposure to UV (ultraviolet) light causes your skin to produce free radicals, which can inhibit collagen production. In essence, wearing face sunscreen every day helps prevent loss of elasticity, hyperpigmentation , and signs of aging. And aside from pulling the brakes on photoaging, there's the benefit of preventing skin cancer.

How often should you apply face sunscreen?

"Wear sunscreen daily!" says Madfes. In addition to slathering it on every morning as part of your normal skincare routine, you're wise to continue applying it throughout the day. Why? Most formulas only guarantee coverage for 80 minutes—sometimes less if you're sweating or swimming. If you're already wearing makeup, spritz on a sunscreen spray or dust on a powder sunscreen . And don't forget to apply a scalp sunscreen as well, something many people forget.

At what point in your skincare routine should you apply a face sunscreen?

Generally speaking, whether you're using a stick sunscreen , a liquid, or a cream, sunscreen should go on last—after eye cream , serum, moisturizer, and anything else you apply during your morning skincare routine. However, if you're wearing makeup, you can apply it after your sunscreen. But if possible, wait a few minutes for it to absorb completely before reaching for your foundation.

The 9 Best Sunscreens for Face of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

collage of three facial sunscreens — Byrdie / Kevin Liang

There's no debating the importance of applying sunscreen every morning—especially on your face. Everyday application is necessary to reap the benefits of SPF, as dermatologist Diane Madfes, MD, explains. "We are exposed to ultraviolet and infrared light every day that produces free radicals in our skin," she tells Byrdie. "These free radicals inhibit collagen production and decrease our elastin. This leads to premature aging, wrinkling, brown spots, and sagging."

However, finding a facial sunscreen that works well with your skin type and skin concerns can be challenging. So, we did the work for you. We tested dozens of top-rated face sunscreens in our lab and at home for two weeks. In the lab, we conducted two moisture level readings to determine how well each wore throughout the day and chose opacity and feel ratings for each pick. At home, we noted how well each one kept us protected during a day out in the sun, and evaluated each formula's texture, feel, and finish.

We then combined these results with expert recommendations and additional research to put together this list of the best in show.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 at Amazon ($38)

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Best Mineral:

Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Mineral SPF 50+ Sunscreen at Amazon ($70)

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Best Chemical:

Coola Organic Classic Face Sunscreen SPF 50 at Amazon ($32)

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Best Liquid Consistency :

Summer Fridays ShadeDrops SPF 30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen at Sephora ($36)

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Best For Dark Skin Tones:

Black Girl Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 at Ulta ($16)

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Best Hybrid:

Cocokind Silk SPF at Amazon (See Price)

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Best for Sensitive Skin:

Kinship Moisturizing Sunscreen at Amazon ($28)

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Best for Acne-Prone Skin:

Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 at Amazon ($20)

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Best Multitasking:

Iris & Romeo Weekend Skin SPF 50 + Vitamin C + Glow at Sephora ($50)

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Best Overall

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

PHOTO:

Amazon

$38 at Amazon $22 at Sephora $18 at Ulta

One of the highest-rated sunscreens on the market, it’s no surprise that the Supergoop! Unseen formula performed beautifully during testing. The broad-spectrum sunscreen has a lightweight, gel texture that glides on smoothly, absorbs easily, and leaves a soft, velvety finish. We love that it has a completely clear formula that never leaves a white cast and has a subtle, non-irritating scent.

We loved that it felt hydrating and created a smoother base for makeup, acting as a moisturizer and a primer. It’s also oil-free, so it shouldn’t leave you greasy—but we noticed that it did leave a slight sheen on already oily skin types. Still, we’re giving this sunscreen top honors for its overall lightweight feel and clear formula.

Best Mineral

Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Mineral SPF 50+ Sunscreen

PHOTO:

Amazon

$70 at Amazon $70 at Dermstore $70 at Isdin.com

Finding a mineral sunscreen that doesn’t create a white cast or leave a chalky residue behind is a challenge, but we’re happy to report that this pick from ISDIN is a winner. It has a thin, lightweight texture (more similar to a chemical formula than other mineral options) that spreads seamlessly and dries without a greasy finish. It does apply slightly white initially, but it looks clear on the skin after blending it in with the fingers.

Aside from zinc oxide, it also contains vitamin E for antioxidant protection and photolyase, which can repair already-existing sun damage. While this sunscreen does contain synthetic fragrance, it has a very pleasant smell that isn’t too overpowering.

Byrdie / Joy Kim
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

Best Chemical

Coola Organic Classic Face Sunscreen SPF 50

PHOTO:

Amazon

$32 at Amazon $32 at Sephora $32 at Ulta

Coola’s Classic Face Sunscreen provides broad-spectrum protection and is enriched with natural, certified organic antioxidants to protect your skin and fight environmental free radicals. While it does have a thicker consistency that needs to be rubbed in well, we love that it dries down with a sheer, dewy finish that makes the skin look healthy and hydrated. It’s great for all skin types but is especially beneficial for those with dry skin that's prone to dry patches or is often irritated by other sunscreen formulas. It's also great no matter your skin tone since it doesn't create a white cast or leave a residue behind.

Closeup person applying Coola Classic Face Organic Fragrance-Free Sunscreen Lotion to their face — Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

Best Liquid Consistency

Summer Fridays ShadeDrops SPF 30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen

Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen

PHOTO:

Sephora

$36 at Sephora $36 at Summerfridays.com $36 at Kohls.com

As the name indicates, this sunscreen from Summer Fridays has a thin, milky texture (similar to a liquid foundation) that blends into the skin easily and doesn’t leave a residue. It's truly one of the most liquidy, weightless formulas we've tried. It has a subtle tint that complements all skin tones without causing a white cast—and has a matte (but not drying) finish that smoothes the complexion without settling into fine lines or accentuating skin texture.

It’s formulated with squalane to hydrate and plump, as well as an antioxidant complex to protect the skin from free radical damage. After testing it thoroughly, we found that it works for all skin types—it nourishes dry skin without leaving a greasy residue on oily skin types.

Person dispensing Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen onto finger — Byrdie / Joy Kim

Best For Dark Skin Tones

Black Girl Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30

PHOTO:

Ulta

$16 at Ulta $16 at Target $11 at Walmart

Made by a woman of color for people of color, this wallet-friendly SPF and moisturizing lotion is ideal for dark skin tones. The zinc-free formula absorbs quickly without creating a white cast, plays well under makeup, and provides SPF 30 protection from the sun's harmful rays.

This sunscreen made our skin look glowy and healthy, and it absorbed instantaneously with very minimal blending. It has a lightweight but creamy texture, so it can even double as your AM moisturizer. We also love that it contains a multitude of skin-benefiting ingredients, like avocado oil, jojoba oil, and carrot juice. We did notice that it became pretty shiny throughout the day on those with oily skin, but it leaves a healthy, dewy finish nonetheless.

Best Hybrid

Cocokind Silk SPF

PHOTO:

Amazon

View on Amazon $25 at Target $18 at Walmart

This pick from Cocokind is a hybrid sunscreen, meaning it contains both chemical and mineral blockers to protect you from UVA and UVB rays. This makes it a great choice for those with sensitive skin (which can sometimes be irritated by chemical filters) who want a sunscreen that doesn’t leave a pasty finish.

We love that this formula is creamy and light, with a silky consistency that sinks into the skin effortlessly. It has a similar texture to a daytime moisturizer, so it’s easy to blend in and doesn’t leave a greasy feel behind. After wearing it throughout the day, we noticed that it never settles into fine lines or dry patches and gives the skin a noticeable glow. However, we don’t love that it’s not water-resistant, so you might want to pick a different formula if you’re heading to the beach or pool.

Best for Sensitive Skin

Kinship Moisturizing Sunscreen

Kinship Self Reflect SPF 32 Probiotic Moisturizing Sunscreen

PHOTO:

Amazon

$28 at Amazon $28 at Ulta View on Lovekinship.com

This sunscreen from Kinship boasts a 22.4% zinc oxide concentration and a gentle formula that won’t wreak havoc on sensitive skin types. Formulated with kinbiome, a plant-based probiotic, and turmeric, it works to strengthen the skin barrier and soothe irritation. It has more of a watery consistency that spreads and absorbs easily, and it leaves a dewy finish that layers nicely under makeup. We think the slight pink tint gives the skin a healthy-looking glow, but it might appear slightly pale on those with dark skin.

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30

Hero Cosmetics Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30

PHOTO:

Amazon

$20 at Amazon $20 at Ulta $20 at Dermstore

This sunscreen from Hero Cosmetics is a great pick for acne-prone skin for many reasons: It has a lightweight, comfortable feel, doesn’t leave the skin looking shiny, and has a soothing formula. And if you deal with redness from blemishes, it has a sheer green tint to neutralize the skin tone. After applying, we noticed that it had a creamy texture that absorbed quickly and didn’t leave the skin feeling oily. However, we found that the green tone took longer to rub in for those with darker skin tones. But, we appreciate the antioxidant-rich formula, which is full of natural superfood ingredients and probiotics, and we think it's a nice option for those looking to neutralize redness while protecting their skin.

Best Multitasking

Iris & Romeo Weekend Skin SPF 50 + Vitamin C + Glow

PHOTO:

Iris & Romeo

$50 at Sephora $50 at Irisandromeo.com View on Credo Beauty

If you’re looking for a sunscreen that can do more than just protect you from the sun, the Iris & Romeo Weekend Skin SPF is the perfect pick. This three-in-one product is able to provide broad spectrum coverage, brighten and protect the skin with stabilized vitamin C and niacinamide, and work as a makeup base with a tint that complements all skin tones.

When we first applied this product, we were pleasantly surprised at how seamless it is—it almost felt like we didn’t have sunscreen on at all. It has a smooth texture that spreads easily (almost like a liquid foundation) and is hydrating without becoming greasy. It doesn’t settle into fine lines or accentuate wrinkles, making it the perfect base for the rest of your makeup. The only thing that we could complain about is that the dewiness does fade throughout the day and would have to be reapplied if you’re using it for makeup coverage. But as we know, sunscreen should be applied multiple times throughout the day, so we still love this formula nonetheless.

What to Look for When Buying Sunscreen for the Face

SPF Protection Factor: When it comes to SPF, which indicates how much protection a product offers against UVB rays (note: not UVA rays), it’s best to look for a formula that offers SPF 30 or higher. “An SPF of 15 filters about 93% of UVB rays, while an SPF of 30 filters out approximately 97%,” explains board-certified dermatologist, Azza Halim, MD. On the other hand, an SPF of 50 filters out approximately 98%, though a recent study by EWG claims that SPF products above 50 aren’t necessarily any more effective. That said, choosing a sunscreen with an SPF in the 30 to 50 range is best.

Broad-Spectrum Protection: As mentioned above, SPF doesn’t protect against UVA rays, which can be just as dangerous as UVB rays. “UVA rays penetrate the skin deeply—even without causing any sunburn—and they result in sun damage and aging,” says Halim. It's important to note that both types of ultraviolet rays can also lead to skin cancer. With that in mind, it’s crucial to find a product that offers broad-spectrum protection, meaning it will absorb or deflect both UVA and UVB rays. And if you're worried about ocean life, there are also reef-safe sunscreens available for both the face and body.

Formula: As you would with any type of facial skin care product, Halim stresses the importance of choosing a formula based on your skin type. If you’re oily or prone to blemishes, look for mattifying formulas that are non-comedogenic and non-greasy, ensuring they’ll keep shine under control and won’t clog your pores. Drier skin types should look for products that provide hydrating benefits while still being lightweight in texture (nobody likes a heavy sunscreen!). Those with more sensitive skin should avoid anything with potential irritants, like added fragrances or dyes.

FAQ

What are the benefits of face sunscreens?

According to Madfes, daily exposure to UV (ultraviolet) light causes your skin to produce free radicals, which can inhibit collagen production. In essence, wearing face sunscreen every day helps prevent loss of elasticity, hyperpigmentation, and signs of aging. And aside from pulling the brakes on photoaging, there's the benefit of preventing skin cancer.
How often should you apply face sunscreen?

"Wear sunscreen daily!" says Madfes. In addition to slathering it on every morning as part of your normal skincare routine, you're wise to continue applying it throughout the day. Why? Most formulas only guarantee coverage for 80 minutes—sometimes less if you're sweating or swimming. If you're already wearing makeup, spritz on a sunscreen spray or dust on a powder sunscreen. And don't forget to apply a scalp sunscreen as well, something many people forget.
At what point in your skincare routine should you apply a face sunscreen?

Generally speaking, whether you're using a stick sunscreen, a liquid, or a cream, sunscreen should go on last—after eye cream, serum, moisturizer, and anything else you apply during your morning skincare routine. However, if you're wearing makeup, you can apply it after your sunscreen. But if possible, wait a few minutes for it to absorb completely before reaching for your foundation.

Why Trust Byrdie

Theresa Holland is a commerce writer specializing in lifestyle and cosmetics. She considered dozens of sunscreens for the face for this roundup, evaluating each on active ingredients, texture and skin-feel of formula, and finish.

Shannon Stubbs is a staff commerce updates writer at Byrdie, where she covers beauty. She’s frequently trying new skincare and makeup products to recommend the best of the best to readers. She’s tried multiple sunscreens on this list, including Black Girl Sunscreen and the Hero Cosmetics Superlight Sunscreen.

To learn more about what to keep in mind when buying facial sunscreen, contributors consulted with two experts. Those experts include:

Azza Halim, MD, a board-certified anesthesiologist/aesthetics/functional medicine physician based in Florida.
Diane Madfes, MD, board-certified dermatologist specializing in dermatology and dermatologic surgery based in New York City.

Updated by Jill DiDonato

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