Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (2024)

Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (1)

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Look, we’re not here to be your mother. You’re a grown man–you probably know by now that you should be wearing sunscreen. And we’re not just talking about when you’re on vacation either. Wearing sunscreen every day is one of the single best things you can do for your skin in both the short and long terms. Yes, it helps prevent skin cancer–which is a huge plus, obviously–but it also helps prevent signs of aging and other skin issues, many of which can be linked to damage caused by UV rays. In fact, it’s so effective that you can really consider sunscreen an anti-aging product more than anything else.

The problem with wearing sunscreen every day is that, well, it’s sunscreen. Traditionally, sunscreen has not been pleasant to wear. It can be goopy, greasy, thick and sticky, especially when we’re talking about wearing it on your face. And don’t even get us started on the dreaded white cast. Who wants to show up to the office looking like a ghost? Well, let us reassure you–modern sunscreens, particularly ones that are designed for daily wear on your face, are lightyears ahead of what you may remember your mom slathering onto your body as a child. They come in a variety of formulas like gels, emulsions and even sprays that allow for easier, more comfortable wear every day. Which is exactly the point. As for which is best for you, we’ve tested hundreds (seriously) over the years, and these are the ones we reach for over and over.

Best Sunscreens for Your Face

What to Consider

SPF Level

You’ll notice that SPF (Sun Protection Factor) comes in a variety of levels. This notes how well the product protects you from getting a sunburn within two hours. Generally, the higher the SPF, the more protection you get (though no sunscreen will protect against 100 percent of UV rays). The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a minimum of SPF 30 for adequate protection for most people. In that case, we advise never using something below SPF 30.

Mineral vs. Chemical

Sunscreen is technically a drug regulated by the FDA and you’ll find two types of approved sunscreens: chemical and physical/mineral. While both are effective, they work in different ways. Chemical sunscreens, such as avobenzone, homosalate and octisalate, sink into your skin and then absorb UV rays, convert them to heat and then diffuse them. Physical sunscreens, like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, actually sit on top of your skin and form a physical barrier that reflects UV rays so they can’t penetrate into your skin. Generally, experts like dermatologists agree that both types of sunscreens are effective, so which you choose is more of a personal choice, but mineral sunscreens may be more suitable for sensitive skin since they not only do not penetrate your skin, but also zinc has been shown to have soothing properties.

Key Ingredients

You’ll notice that on sunscreen labels, active ingredients are listed separately from inactive ingredients. This is because the active ingredients–the sunscreens in the formula–are considered drugs by the FDA. This is where you’ll see what kind of sunscreens the formula contains: chemical, physical or both.

Format

These days, sunscreens come in all types of formats from sprays, lotions, emulsions, gels and more. What type of format you choose really comes down to personal preference, but if you’re sensitive to the weight of your products, we recommend looking for lightweight formats like gels and emulsions which tend to have less weight and greasiness. We are also a fan of sunscreen sprays, but keep in mind that if you use one, you still should rub it into your skin to ensure you get adequate coverage.

Skin Type

Most sunscreens will be suitable for most skin types, but you may want to keep a few things in mind. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, look for oil-free formulas that are labeled non-comedogenic, which means they won’t clog pores. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to try a physical sunscreen. And if you have very dry skin, look for formulas with more moisturizing ingredients.

How We Selected

When choosing the best spray sunscreens, our intrepid team of grooming editors and dermatologists tried more than 25 top-reviewed face sunscreens, and evaluated how well they absorbed in our skin, if they provided ample sun protection (no sunburns!) and whether they remained effective in water. Read on to find see our top sunscreens for your face to use this summer and beyond.

Best Overall Sunscreen for Face

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40

Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (8)

Pros
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (9)Completely clear texture with no white cast
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (10)Matte finish
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (11)Suitable for all skin tones
Cons
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (12)Small bottle
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (13)Not water resistant

Is this the platonic ideal of a facial sunscreen? We’d make the argument that yes, this is the sunscreen that all others aspire to be and not just because we’ve been wearing it ourselves for years, but also because we have never met a single person who didn’t like it enough to wear it every day. Basically, it all comes down to the formula. Where other sunscreens are goopy and oily, this is a clear gel formula. Where other sunscreens take forever to rub into your face and may still leave a white cast behind, this distributes over your skin with ease and sinks in quickly without leaving anything behind whatsoever. Where other sunscreens can leave your face looking oily or shiny, the matte finish of this sunscreen helps to smooth and blur imperfections, leaving you looking slightly airbrushed.

This sunscreen is such a genuine pleasure to use, we actually look forward to applying it every day. But there are two downsides. First, the bottle is small, so if you get down to price per use, it can be on the expensive side. Second, because it’s not water resistant, it can slide down into your eyes as the day progresses, particularly if you have oily skin or are on the sweatier side. Frankly, we find that as a daily sunscreen, that slide is tolerable and minimal. However, it also means that we wouldn’t recommend using this one for an outdoor workout or something equally sweaty (and that goes double if you have sensitive eyes). For us, neither of those two things take away from how great this sunscreen is overall and how much we love to use it.

Read more: Best Sunscreens for Oily Skin

SPF Level40
MIneral vs. ChemicalChemical
Key IngredientsAvobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
FormatGel
Skin TypeAll

Best Mineral Face Sunscreen

Vacation Shake Shake SPF 50 Mineral Milk Face Sunscreen

Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (14)

Pros
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (15)Super lightweight formula
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (16)Leaves barely any cast
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (17)Non-comedogenic
Cons
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (18)Does leave a slight sheen

There are a few reasons you may want to use mineral sunscreen, namely if you have sensitive skin. Mineral sunscreens sit on top of skin and actively reflect UV rays as opposed to chemical sunscreens which sink into skin and disperse UV rays in the form of heat. Since they don’t actually sink into skin, mineral screens are good for sensitive skin, but it’s also what creates that dreaded white cast that’s left behind on your skin. And because of the nature of mineral screens, that white cast is pretty much impossible to avoid. The good ones, however, minimize it. And this one is one of the best we’ve found at doing just that.

Because of the innovative ZincWater ingredient that this sunscreen utilizes, the formula is watery and thin, allowing it to smooth over your skin in a sheer layer without feeling greasy or oily. Yes, there is a cast, but it’s so miniscule chances are you won’t even notice it (we didn’t). In fact, it really just comes off as a slight dewy glow, instead of a goopy white mess. For a streak-free application, just make sure you shake the bottle before pouring the liquid into your hand to make sure all the components are mixed effectively. Overall, it’s the closest thing we’ve found to a fool-proof mineral sunscreen that’s light enough to wear every day, but effective enough to give you the sun protection you need.

SPF Level50
MIneral vs. ChemicalMineral
Key IngredientsZinc oxide
FormatLiquid
Skin TypeAll

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Best Tinted Facial Sunscreen

EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Face Sunscreen

Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (19)

Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (20)

Pros
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (21)Multiple tint option suitable for all skin tones
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (22)Hybrid chemical/mineral formula
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (23)Moisturizing formula contains niacinamide
Cons
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (24)Expensive for the size of the bottle

One way to get around the white cast problem that most sunscreens have is to go for a tinted version. To the uninitiated, tinted sunscreens can seem scary because they may get a little close to the tinted moisturizer and/or makeup category (which isn’t a bad thing, for the record). However, in practice, a tinted sunscreen is not going to make you look like you’re wearing a face full of foundation. The subtle tint used in these products (usually mineral sunscreens) is to minimize the white cast that’s left behind and improve how well it blends into your skin. This tinted sunscreen is one of our favorites–and the one we reach for over and over – because it features just the right amount of tint (enough to help blend, but not enough to change the tone of your skin).

However, not all tints are created equal and some tints are better suited for certain skin colors. That’s another reason this is our favorite tinted screen – it comes in two different tint options which cover essentially the entire Fitzpatrick scale, so no matter what skin color you have, one of these tints will work on it (and leave no obvious residue or color behind). The base formula is the same for both tints and it’s a highly moisturizing, nourishing formula that’s laced with niacinamide to help reduce redness in your skin and help it stay hydrated. Additionally, since it’s a mineral-chemical hybrid formula, it’s suitable for all skin types, even very dry or acne-prone.

Read more: Best Sunscreens for Acne-Prone Skin

SPF Level46
MIneral vs. ChemicalBoth
Key IngredientsZinc oxide, octinoxate
FormatLotion
Skin TypeAll

Best Lightweight Facial Sunscreen

Paula s Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50

Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (25)

Dermatologists are fond of saying that the best sunscreen for you is the one you can wear every day and it’s true. Your sunscreen isn’t going to do you any good if it’s just sitting in your medicine cabinet. One of the biggest hurdles men, including us, have when using sunscreen is the heavy texture and one way around that is to switch to a fluid like this. The best thing about this sunscreen is that it somehow packs a serious sun protective factor (50!) into a thin, milky-watery texture that instantly sinks into your skin without leaving any film behind. And since it utilizes chemical sunscreens, it doesn’t sit on top of your skin or feel greasy in any way.

It doesn’t leave a white cast either, but it’s not a matte finish. Instead, it leaves behind a slight sheen which for some, may take some getting used to, but it’s a small compromise in the grand scheme of things for a sunscreen this lightweight and this easy to wear. On top of all of that, the hydrating formula is packed with plant extracts that help to reduce redness, soothe skin and offer antioxidant protection against environmental damage. It’s not as hydrating as your moisturizer (so we would still recommend using both), but you can’t argue with the added benefits this sunscreen brings to your skin beyond just protecting it from UV rays.

SPF Level50
MIneral vs. ChemicalChemical
Key IngredientsAvobenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene
FormatLiquid
Skin TypeAll

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Pros
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (28)Leaves no white caste
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (29)Hydrates skin with hyaluronic acid
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (30)Doesn’t sting eyes
Cons
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (31)Some may find the finish sticky

This incredibly popular sunscreen has been the number one selling sunscreen in Japan for years thanks to its watery gel texture that leaves behind no white cast any skin tone and instead leaves skin feeling and looking hydrated and dewy. But here’s the thing: it couldn’t be sold in the United States because the UV screens used in the original Japanese formula are not approved by the FDA. Things have changed. Biore reformulated this sunscreen to keep everything that’s most popular about the original but using FDA-approved chemical sunscreens so now we can enjoy the benefits of this sunscreen stateside as well.

Have we used the original Japanese formula? Yes. Can we tell a difference between the original and this new US-friendly one? No. Even with these new sunscreens included in the formula, this is some of the best facial sunscreen you can possibly find. The cooling gel texture feels ultra-hydrating on your skin – so much that you may even be able to skip your moisturizer – and uses hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day. The non-greasy formula is also non-comedogenic and leaves your skin with a slight dewy sheen, but in a healthy way, not a greasy way. The formula isn’t technically water resistant (so you may want to choose another one for the pool or beach), but we found that even after a day of normal sweating, it didn’t melt or sting our eyes, which is honestly the biggest test of all for a daily facial sunscreen.

SPF Level50
MIneral vs. ChemicalChemical
Key IngredientsAvobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
FormatLotion
Skin TypeAll

Best For Sensitive Skin

Skinceuticals Clear Daily Soothing UV Defense

Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (32)

Pros
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (33)Chemical/mineral hybrid protection
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (34)Contains soothing ingredients to reduce redness and sensitivity
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (35)Moisturizing formula with glycerin
Cons
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (36)Expensive compared to other sunscreens

Yes, generally mineral sunscreens are recommended for sensitive skin not only because they sit on top and don’t sink it, but also because zinc has been shown to have a soothing effect on skin. However, the downside to that is if you’re often stuck with sunscreens that leave a white cast and make your skin feel greasy and heavy. This sensitive-skin friendly formula solved that using both chemical and physical sunscreens (so you have less of each) to protect skin from UV rays. That way you get the best of both worlds – sun protection that reduces the chance of irritation and a minimal white cast. We can confirm that, while there is always going to be a bit of a cast with a mineral screen, this one is so minimal we could barely see it.

In addition to the sunscreens itself, this high-level formula goes above and beyond to empower your skin. Inside the lotion there is moisturizing glycerin, redness-reducing bisabolol, palmitoyl tripeptide-8 to reduce sensitivity and irritation and more to make this white would be a pretty damn good moisturizer on its own, even without the sunscreen component. Depending on your skin’s hydration, you may even be able to use this in place of your moisturizer to cover two steps at once (those with dry skin, however, should still double up).

SPF Level50
MIneral vs. ChemicalBoth
Key IngredientsZinc oxide, homosalate, bisbolol
FormatLotion
Skin TypeAll

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Best Anti-Aging Facial Sunscreen

Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Ultralight Emulsion SPF 50

Pros
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (39)100% mineral sunscreen
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (40)Helps repair existing sun damage
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (41)Antioxidants help prevent future sun damage
Cons
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (42)Very expensive compared to similar sunscreens

If we were judging sunscreens based purely on their sun protection, this would still be at the top of our list because it’s hard to find a 100% mineral sunscreen that is this easy to wear. While it still leaves a slight white cast, just because of the nature of mineral sunscreen, we found that it’s still subtle enough that we barely noticed it during the day. It’s a liquidy “emulsion” texture, which means it’s milkier than your traditional lotion, and thus smooths over skin more easily and doesn’t leave an oily or greasy film over your skin. It might be slightly aggressive for some people to wear daily, but we found that in terms of mineral sunscreens, it’s one that we were able to tolerate most on a daily basis.

But we’re not just judging these sunscreens on sun protection because frankly that’s only part of why you would choose a sunscreen for your face. This screen also contains additional ingredients that help with the overall health of your skin, especially if you’re concerned with anti-aging. It’s rich in antioxidant Vitamin E, which helps to prevent future sun damage and aging from environmental factors, but it also has DNA repairosomes which actually help to repair existing sun damage. That’s something you won’t find in any other sunscreens on this list and is especially welcome if you already have signs of sun damage and UV-related skin aging, like dark spots. It truly is a complete anti-aging and sun protecting product that targets the past, present and future of your face.

SPF Level50
MIneral vs. ChemicalMineral
Key IngredientsZinc oxide, DNA repairosomes
FormatEmulsion
Skin TypeAll

Best Moisturizer with SPF

Neutrogena Hydro Boost With SPF 50

Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (43)

Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (44)

Pros
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (45)Super moisturizing formula
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (46)Easy-to-apply gel texture
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (47)Fragrance-free
Cons
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (48)May sting sensitive eyes

The thing about moisturizers with sunscreen is that they’re often more focused on the moisturizing part and go too light on the sunscreen part, falling short of the recommended SPF 30 benchmark. That’s why we usually gravitate toward hydrating sunscreens instead of moisturizer/sunscreen hybrids. However, this addition to the popular Neutrogena Hydro Boost range (one of our personal favorites) deserves a shout out because it’s one of the few moisturizers with sunscreens that we actually like and use.

One of the reasons we love it so much is that you actually forget that it even contains sunscreen. If you still have a problem finding a sunscreen you can tolerate and that you enjoy applying, we guarantee that this one is for you because, well, it doesn’t feel like sunscreen at all. The lightweight gel formula sinks into your skin immediately (some might say your skin drinks it up) and is packed with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants that help to nourish, hydrate and protect your skin the way all the best moisturizers do. Add to that broad-spectrum SPF 50, plus no added fragrance, and you have an all-around winner in our book.

SPF Level50
MIneral vs. ChemicalChemical
Key IngredientsAvobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
FormatGel
Skin TypeAll

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Best Drugstore Facial Sunscreen

CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion With SPF 30

Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (49)

Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (50)

Pros
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (51)Oil-free formula
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (52)Suitable for sensitive skin
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (53)Contains ceramides and moisturizing ingredients
Cons
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (54)May leave a slight white cast on some skin tones

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again–the best facial sunscreens do more than just protect your face from UV rays. Sure, that’s the most important thing they can do (and really their only job when it comes down to it), but if you’re going to put something on your face, you want it to really go to work. That’s why we love this product. It’s packs a serious skincare punch into a budget-friendly does-it-all package. Of course it contains the recommended SPF 30 for sun protection, which it gets from both mineral and chemical screens, allowing you the different kinds of protection that both offer.

But it goes beyond that as well. We consider this a moisturizing sunscreen because if you took out the SPF, it would still be a pretty damn good moisturizer. Developed with sensitive skin in mind, this oil-free formula is non-comedogenic (it won’t clog pores) and gentle on your skin. It’s packed with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide for hydration, but also contains three essential ceramides which help to strengthen your skin’s natural barrier and bolster protection from outside aggressors that could cause damage. On top of that, the non-greasy finish doesn’t leave your skin looking shiny or feeling slick, even with the addition of sunscreen. It’s the perfect go-to morning product.

SPF Level30
MIneral vs. ChemicalBoth
Key IngredientsHomosalate, meradimate, octinoxate, octocrylene, zinc oxide
FormatLotion
Skin TypeAll

Best Facial Sunscreen Mist

Coola Face Mist SPF 50

Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (55)

Pros
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (56)Lightweight, cooling formula
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (57)Easy to reapply
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (58)Water-resistant
Cons
  • Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (59)Need to make sure you apply enough for adequate protection

If we’re being honest, one of our biggest pet peeves about sunscreen is reapplying. Yes, putting it on in the first place is your first, and most important, step, but it’s recommended to reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially if you’re outside. That boils down to a lot of time spent throughout the day reapplying your sunscreen. Remembering to slather on some lotion every couple of hours can be a chore, which is why we love this mist. Not only does this cooling and hydrating mist instantly chill out your skin, but it also is packed with SPF 50 so you don’t have to worry about slathering on more lotion if you’re already sweaty.

One caveat here: since it’s a mist, it can be hard to tell whether you’re applying enough of the stuff for adequate protection. We usually spray it generously, probably more than you’d think you need, and then gently rub it into our faces so we make sure we’re not missing any spots. That said, even with the generous helping, it’s a much more pleasant experience than reapplying any lotion or cream. The mostly-organic formula is supercharged with aloe and coconut water to instantly cool and hydrate your skin, leaving it feeling calmed and moisturized. There is a slight scent, but it goes away quickly and leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth, but not overly perfumed. We recommend keeping a bottle of this in every bag you own so you never leave home without it.

SPF Level50
MIneral vs. ChemicalChemical
Key IngredientsAvobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
FormatMist
Skin TypeAll

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Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (60)

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Grooming Experts Found Face Sunscreens That Are Comfortable to Wear All Day (2024)
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