18 Face Sunscreens for Every Skin Type and Tone (2024)

Wouldn't it be incredible if there were a way to prevent dark spots, wrinkles—even skin cancer? There is! A broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or above helps protect your skin from damaging UV radiation, which can cause skin cancer and signs of aging (dark spots, dryness, dullness, sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles). Of course, to reap these benefits, you have to actually apply the sunscreen daily (and then reapply it after two hours outdoors or after swimming or sweating).

What to consider when choosing a sunscreen

Since this is something you're going to put on your skin every single day (yes, even on gray days—UVA rays, which cause skin aging, can penetrate windows and clouds, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation), you need to find a formula you absolutely love. The good news is that sunscreens come in an array of formulas, protection levels, tints, and application methods, and the newest wave of options is redefining what you once associated with the category. The only requirement when picking a sunscreen is finding a formula that contains SPF 30 or above.

How we chose the best face sunscreens

As beauty editors, part of our job is to test, research, and discover the best SPF formulas. After stress-testing, daily application, and reapplication, we narrowed down our favorites. They are moisturizing, lightweight, easy to blend, and downright luxurious, with options available for all skin tones and skin types. We also included dermatologist-approved face sunscreens. They're so good, you'll never forget to apply SPF again.

The experts:

• Debra Ibrahim, DO, co-owner of Aesthetica Medspa in New Jersey
• Corey L. Hartman, MD, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama
• Lian Mack, MD, board-certified dermatologist in NYC
• Shari Sperling, MD, board-certified dermatologist in New Jersey

If you love a sunscreen that serves double duty, this tinted formula works to protect and even out your skin tone with light to medium coverage. It's available in 14 shades, from fair to deep. The formula is very moisturizing thanks to hyaluronic acid-infused clay, which also helps control excess oil production. Ecotin adds an extra layer of defense against blue light, radiation, and pollution. "I love how easily it blends, its dewy finish, and coverage, offering for one less step in my routine," says Oprah Daily beauty editor Genesis Rivas.

Sunscreens that filter UV rays using zinc oxide or titanium oxide tend to be thick and leave a white cast, especially on darker complexions, but this zinc oxide formula is tinted and blends easily into multiple skin colors. It's also loaded with antioxidants to protect against pollution and peptides to nourish skin.

This fragrance-free pick makes it suitable for all skin types; it contains hydrating hyaluronic acid, niacinamide to help even out skin tone, and peptides to promote a more firm complexion. You can find it at your local drugstore for a budget-friendly price. Not to mention, the lightweight texture makes it great for layering under makeup. It's also free of common allergens like dyes, parabens, and mineral oil.

Ask just about any dermatologist for their list of SPF superstars, and chances are EltaMD is on it. Ibrahim loves this one in particular because it's broad-spectrum (meaning it protects against UVA and UVB rays), lightweight, and non-greasy, making it easy to layer makeup on top. It's a great choice for dry and combination skin types.

Perfect for reapplying SPF throughout the day, this translucent SPF 50 brushes right over makeup to help protect against the sun's rays, blur imperfections, and even rehydrate skin, thanks to its emollients. It's a must-have travel companion.

It doesn't get better than this SPF meets daily moisturizer. The formula contains chemical UV filters along with hyaluronic acid and coconut water to deliver a refreshing boost of hydration that leaves your skin radiant and plump. It blends like a dream and doesn't feel sticky or greasy. "It's so hydrating and leaves a glowing finish that's so good, my skin looks like glass," says Rivas.

This SPF 40 doubles as a dewy tinted primer. Pick from four shades (pink pearl to a deep bronze) to wear under makeup for a lit-from-within radiance or on bare skin for a beautifully glowy complexion. The formula is both moisturizing and nourishing, thanks to hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and antioxidants. "The glow it gives is unbelievable," says Rivas. "It's the perfect base for makeup."

Those with oily or combination skin will appreciate the mattifying properties of this lightweight and fast-absorbing fluid, which contains zinc oxide and titanium oxide. It's small and compact, making it great for travel, and is water-resistant for up to 40 minutes. It's also suitable for sensitive skin types.

Perfect for layering under your makeup, this broad-spectrum SPF contains antioxidants that help neutralize damaging free radicals generated by UV light, says Ibrahim. It also contains caffeine, which is a powerful antioxidant and bisabolol, an ingredient found in chamomile, helps to calm and soothe the skin while retaining moisture.

This oil-free sunscreen contains both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for broad-spectrum sun protection. Even though those particular UV filters are notoriously hard to blend into darker skin tones, this formula can. It also hydrates, soothes, and reduces redness, says Hartman.

This ultralight, fast-absorbing formula offers mineral, broad-spectrum sun protection as well as DNA repairsomes, which help to correct existing sun damage, including discoloration, says Mack.

This popular sunscreen is lightweight, has a smooth texture, and absorbs easily. It also features the brand's "SynchroShield technology," meaning that the water-resistant formula works even better when it's exposed to heat and water. It's the perfect option for active, outdoorsy days or for those who prefer a lighter sunscreen. Not to mention, it include licorice root extract to help soothe breakout-prone skin.

This Aussie brand is great for sensitive skin, says Sperling. A nice bonus: When exposed to the sun, the bottle cap changes color to blue—an alert that it's sunny and time to apply.

If you have the bucks, this lightweight-yet-luxurious sunscreen smooths onto skin effortlessly without any greasy or sticky residue. It's especially ideal for sensitive skin that gets red or irritated easily.

This formula is great for acne-prone skin because it's ultra-lightweight, oil-free, and non-comedogenic. It contains chamomile to soothe redness from angry, inflamed pimples. It also leaves behind a matte finish to help combat excess oiliness, which is a common concern for blemish-prone skin.

When it comes to targeted application, it doesn't get easier than swiping on a stick, especially one that glides as effortlessly and invisibly as this one. The mineral formula suits both dry and oily skin, says Hartman. (It's also a godsend for applying SPF on impatient kids!)

Excess exposure to the sun can show up in premature signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. This formula contains not only SPF to prevent sun damage but also probiotic extracts and pentapeptides to prevent and repair early signs of aging over time.

These UPF 50+ silicone patches are a step up from traditional sunscreen. They block 98 percent of the sun's UV rays and are waterproof, sweat-proof, and reusable. It's perfect for really sensitive eyes and cheeks.

Our beauty team is dedicated to finding you the best of the best formulas. We spoke with dermatologists to learn about what to look for in a sunscreen and got their go-to recommendations. We also researched and tested top-rated and brand-new formulas that hit the market to help you find the best products out there.