15 Best Sunscreens for Your Face to Shine Under the Sun

We all love basking in the warm, golden sunlight, but too much exposure can be harmful. There's no denying that the right amount of sun does wonders, providing essential vitamin D and boosting our mood. But the harm outweighs the benefits when we're under the sun for too long. That's where the best sunscreens for your face come into play.

Overexposure to UVA and UVB rays may lead to skin aging, pigmentation, and skin cancer in the worst cases (1). So, based on our observations, we've curated a list of the best sunscreens. These top-notch sunscreens aren't just effective; they're turning a necessary health routine into a luxurious ritual.

These sunscreens were chosen as per our expertise, considering factors like SPF, formulation, and additional skincare benefits. We believe that skin protection shouldn't come at the cost of comfort. So, each sunscreen on our list is designed to feel as good on your skin as it works. From the beach to the office, these best facial sunscreens ensure your skin is well-protected and continues to glow healthily.

Sun Bum Original SPF 50 sunscreen spray brings in the scent of a perfect summer day. This moisturizing spray is your skin's best ally against the sun. Providing robust SPF 50 protection, it expertly shields against harmful UVA/UVB rays. Furthermore, it is a vitamin E-enriched face sunscreen for extra skin nourishment and ticks all the boxes for being environmentally friendly. Also, this non-comedogenic product is good for sensitive skin. Apply 10-15 minutes before you are going out, let it sit, and you are all set.

Improving your sun protection, Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen with SPF 40 is one of the best sunscreens for the face. Beyond sun protection, it filters blue light emitted from screens and digital devices and leaves a velvety, makeup-gripping dewy finish, serving as an excellent primer. This sunscreen features soothing frankincense and hydrating meadowfoam seed, nourishing and protecting your skin. Being coral reef-friendly and suitable for all skin types, tones, and lifestyles, it truly feels like nothing while doing everything for your skin.

Empowering your sun-soaked adventures, Sun Bum Original SPF 50 sunscreen face lotion is meticulously crafted to offer superior sun protection. The formula, approved by dermatologists, is brimming with vitamin E. Besides being a potent shield against UVA/UVB rays, this is the best daily face sunscreen that keeps your skin moisturized. Complying with the Hawaii 104 Reef Act, it's free from oxybenzone, octinoxate, gluten, and parabens, ensuring your skin enjoys a safe and fun day in the sun.

Crafted with your baby's sensitive skin in mind, thinkbaby SPF 50+ sunscreen for babies offers gentle and natural protection. Boasting broad-spectrum UVA and UVB coverage, this ultra-violet shield is perfect for everyday use. Moreover, it is the best mineral sunscreen for face, free from harmful chemicals such as PABA, phthalates, BPA, oxybenzone, and more. At the same time, it is also water-resistant and guarantees that your baby has up to 80 minutes of splash-friendly fun before needing reapplication.

DERMA-E Sun Protection Mineral Powder is more than a cosmetic — it's your SPF 30 shield. This is one of the best face sunscreens for sensitive skin, absorbing excess oils for a fresh look while providing broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. Packed with natural ingredients like vitamin E, green tea, and chamomile flower extract, this powder guards your skin and enhances its glow. Apply this lightweight powder over your face, neck, and décolleté for all-day protection, and enjoy the beauty of healthy skin.

Get ready to step out with Mineral Fusion's brush-on sun defense confidently. This transparent mineral sunscreen powder provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection and diminishes shine, blurs pores, and sets makeup for a flawless finish. Infused with sea kelp, it delivers antioxidant protection, safeguarding your skin from environmental stressors. An excellent addition to your makeup routine, this is the best face SPF sunscreen that harmonizes well with pressed powder foundations and cheek colors.

Relish the outdoors worry-free with Pipette's SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen. This everyday sunscreen for face uses non-toxic, non-nano zinc oxide to provide broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, perfect for children and sensitive skin. Its lightweight formula absorbs fast, which is ideal for active kids. Infused with plant extracts and 100% sugarcane-derived squalane, it moisturizes and soothes your skin while defending against harmful infrared rays. Developed in consultation with expert biologists, pediatricians, and dermatologists, the product ensures safe and gentle protection.

Defend your skin with Colorescience's brush-on sunscreen. This award-winning, lightweight mineral powder, recommended by dermatologists, is especially designed for sensitive or acne-prone skin. Its potent formula, loaded with broad-spectrum SPF 50, provides a robust shield against harmful UVA/UVB rays. This versatile powder is excellent for use as a standalone or as a sheer coverage finishing touch to your makeup. Regardless of your activity level or skin type, this product offers powerful, convenient, and gentle sun protection for face.

Indulge your skin with the weightless, ultra-breathable formula by Banana Boat. Not only does it offer broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection with SPF 50, but it's also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. This non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula is designed to keep your skin feeling dry and fresh. As it's non-comedogenic, it won't clog your pores while moisturizing and absorbing excess oil. Apart from this, it is a lightweight sunscreen for face, free from oxybenzone and octinoxate, ensuring your protection against the sun's harmful rays without compromising your skin's health.

Hydrate and nourish your skin all at once with Olay's face moisturizer containing SPF 30. Crafted with vitamins E, B3, and soothing aloe, it gives your skin an immediate surge of active hydration. Being one of the best drugstore face sunscreens, it also protects your skin against 97% of the sun's burning rays. Its non-comedogenic formulation is light, non-greasy, and dermatologically tested for a barely-there feel. The beneficial ingredients gently condition the skin's surface for a healthy, younger look.

Embrace a daily skincare routine with Trader Joe's facial sunscreen. Infused with SPF 40, it offers broad-spectrum protection against harmful rays. Its active ingredients, including avobenzone and homosalate, safeguard your skin. Moreover, this is one of the best sunscreens that contains jojoba esters and shea butter for nourishing your skin while adding tocopherol provides an antioxidant boost. Ideal for adult use, this unisex formula doesn't discriminate. It's lightweight and easily absorbed, making it a go-to choice for daily wear.

Offering broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection, the no-chemical sunscreen, Supergoop! PLAY Everyday lotion diligently shields you from UVA, UVB, and IRA rays. In addition to sun protection, our formula focuses on nourishment and hydration, making it perfect for active days. Withstanding 80 minutes of sweat and water exposure, this sting-free solution keeps distractions at bay, making it one of the best everyday sunscreens. A careful selection of ingredients guarantees a clean, reef-friendly product that's free from harmful chemicals such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, parabens, and more.

Begin each day guarding your skin against harmful rays with a tinted sunscreen that multitasks as diligently as you do. EltaMD's UV sunscreen for face, a feather-light formulation with zinc oxide, protects your skin from damaging UVA and UVB exposure. Infused with hyaluronic acid, it quenches your skin with vital moisture. Its universal tint rubs in easily, leaves no white cast, and flawlessly adapts to lighter or darker skin tones, making it wearable alone or beneath makeup. With its travel-friendly size, this sunscreen ensures your skin stays guarded, even on the move.

Hawaiian Tropic offers a weightless hydration sunscreen lotion that provides SPF 30 protection while infusing your skin with 12-hour moisturization. Tested by dermatologists, this oil-free formula won't clog pores, ensuring your skin breathes easily. Enjoy up to 80 minutes of water resistance with this sunblock for face, whether you are swimming or sweating. The light, iconic tropical scent transports you to the lush botanical landscapes of Hawaii, and its thoughtfully formulated recipe is free of oxybenzone and octinoxate.

Designed for acne-prone skin, Neutrogena's clear face liquid sunscreen harnesses the power of Helioplex Technology, offering broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection without triggering breakouts. The oil-free formulation is a boon for your skin, with its water-light texture leaving a weightless, matte finish, letting your skin breathe freely. This is the best everyday face sunscreen that promises not to clog pores or cause breakouts. With a water resistance of up to 80 minutes, this fragrance-free lotion makes your outdoor activities worry-free.

The approach to selecting a good face sunscreen for your face is not a one-size-fits-all. You need to consider various factors to ensure your sunscreen effectively protects your skin and complements your skincare routine.

Here are a few crucial aspects to look out for:

Always opt for sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. This gives you protection from 97% of UVB rays. You can choose an even higher SPF if you are under intense sun exposure.

The term broad spectrum' on sunscreen labels signifies protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Both types can harm your skin and increase your risk of skin cancer, so ensure your choice offers broad-spectrum protection.

For oily skin types, lightweight, oil-free formulas work best. If you have dry skin, look for moisturizing sunscreens with ingredients like hyaluronic acid. For sensitive skin, mineral sunscreens are a safe bet.

When you are swimming or sweating, a water-resistant, non-greasy sunscreen for face is a must. These sunscreens maintain their SPF protection for a certain duration of water exposure.

Ultimately, the best face sunscreen is the one you'll apply consistently. Remember these factors, and you'll be on your way to radiant, sun-protected skin.

The task of choosing the right sunscreen is not enough. Knowing the correct usage is equally important. The following steps will help you reap maximum benefit from your daily sunscreen for face:

Skimping on your daily face sunscreen won't do. So, take a generous amount and gently cover your entire face and neck. Dermatologists often recommend using a nickel-sized dollop.

Sunscreen needs time to be absorbed into your skin. Apply it at least 15–30 minutes before you step out into the sun.

Not just your face but your lips are also thin and sensitive. Choose a lip balm with SPF 30 to use as a skin barrier from sun damage.

Sunscreen wears off over time. So, reapply after two hours and immediately after excessive sweating or swimming.

Correctly using face sunblock can significantly boost its effectiveness. With these tips in mind, you can confidently step out, knowing you're adequately sun-protected.Protecting your face, regardless of the season or weather conditions, is imperative. Picking the right sunscreen products and using them properly may protect your skin against harmful UV rays, premature aging, and skin cancer. Each product was chosen for its high-quality protection while prioritizing your skin appearance. Investing in the best sunscreens for your face is an act of self-care that your future self will thank you for. Guard your skin with the best sunscreens, and let your journey to radiant and youthful skin begin today!

Anoushka, our skincare expert, understands the critical role sunscreens play in our skincare regimen. She underscores that the sun's UV rays can cause hyperpigmentation and skin aging. To combat this, sunscreens act as a shield, blocking or absorbing these harmful rays before they penetrate the skin. They maintain skin health, protect against harmful environmental aggressors, and prevent signs of aging. In her recent guide, Anoushka has meticulously chosen the best sunscreens for the face that can not only provide sun protection but also complement skin health with moisturizing and nourishing properties. She strongly emphasizes the importance of integrating sunscreen use into daily routines to preserve the skin's vitality and youthfulness.Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

1. Comprehensive Review of Ultraviolet Radiation and the Current Status on Sunscreens by J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3460660/2. Sun exposure, a relevant exposome factor in acne patients and how photoprotection can improve outcomes by J Cosmet Dermatol

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36946555/

Anoushka is certified in Professional Skincare and is a Mass Media (Journalism) graduate from Mumbai University. As a More

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