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Confession: About six weeks ago, I rarely used sunscreen. The greasy texture was off-putting to me, and as someone with terrible allergies and terrible eyesight, sunscreen rubs on my eyes and usually gets in the way of keeping my glasses on my nose. But after reading the sun protection edition of PureWow's new beauty newsletter, I was scared enough to start looking for the best oil-free sunscreens for my face. After trying tons of combinations, I found 23 that I really wanted to wear. Here are 23 of the best oil-free sunscreens that made me, a sunscreen user, aware.
A quick review of the 10 best oil-free sunscreens
Meet the experts
How we tested sunscreens
To compile a list of contenders, I asked dermatologists which sunscreens they currently use and recommend. I also looked at products that are popular on social media. I then put each of these sunscreens to the test to come up with a comprehensive list of the 23 best oil-free facial sunscreens.
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the hero
From Mighty Patch Hydrocolloid Acne Patches to Pore Release Acne Cleanser, Hero Cosmetics makes great products and this sunscreen is one of them. This has become my favorite activity on days when I mostly stay at home and don't intend to sweat too much. I love how the slightly green formula helps with redness but is very light and not chalky. As a glasses wearer, I often find it annoying that sunscreen has slipped down my nose, but this is not sunscreen. I don't really like the smell, more like baby powder, but it goes away after the first application.
Buy ($20)
Good work!
When I squished this sunscreen in my hand, it was like the Vaseline I was afraid of, only a little less sticky. As soon as I put it on my skin, I was impressed . It has no smell, rubs in easily and disappears completely. It can be used as a primer and can be easily applied without removing makeup. All I really wanted was a higher spf.
Buy ($38)
ZO skin health
I liked the ZO Gel Sunscreen for its high SPF, added antioxidants and protection from blue light and infrared rays. It's also easy to apply over makeup; I apply it with a makeup sponge so it has enough protection against blemishes.
Buy ($70)
Shiseido
This is my top summer sunscreen for dry, normal or combination skin. On days when I'm sweaty as soon as I step out the door, it's nice to know it's working with sunscreen instead of letting the moisture dry out. Shiseido's WetForce and HeatForce technologies are activated by exposure to heat and water for sun protection, with the former being more moisture-rich, which is music to my ears. Bonus: As part of the Shiseido Blue project, part of the sale goes to support environmental projects to improve the quality and cleanliness of beaches.
Shop (from $25)
Keith Somerville
Kate Somerville Make-up Setting Spray gives the face a subtle glow. I appreciated the light mist that doesn't interfere with the mascara. I find that some spray sunscreens leave heavier droplets that make your makeup work, but that's not the case here. The mist is very light, refreshing and long lasting. The icing on the cake: Because the particle is so thin, it didn't give a greasy side curl.
Buy ($32)
Ulta
It smells like an updated version of the classic coconut screen and takes me straight to the beach when I put it on. The mist was slightly heavier than Kate Somerville's setting spray, but still light and evenly distributed. It also contains antioxidants such as aloe vera, cucumber, green tea and vitamin E to fight blue light and pollution.
Buy ( $24 ; $16)
Sephora
These color correcting drops are ideal for neutralizing redness and providing SPF protection. It is recommended to apply two to three drops after soaking, but given the price and size of the bottle, I found that cola application made more sense. Rub it in and watch the redness fade away and be replaced with a soft, dewy glow.
Buy ($48)
Amazon
If I had to choose a sunscreen for the whole body, it would be CeraVe's Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen. It's priced well enough that it can be swiped everywhere, not just on my face. And the texture is amazing - non-greasy, absorbs like a moisturizer, no white residue. It has niacinamide to soothe the skin and ceramides to hydrate and coat so my glasses don't slide down my nose while wearing them.
$18 ; $14 on Amazon
Dr. Loretta
Loretta's Universal Glow Daily Defense is a lightweight mineral sunscreen that blends easily and leaves a dewy finish. Formulated with lipochroman to protect against free radicals and improve the appearance of fine lines and dark spots over time, botanical extracts and Actoin hydrate skin and protect against blue light.
Buy ($60)
Credo Beauty
As someone with severe allergies, I tend to rub my eyes a lot, so I hate using sunscreen because it inevitably comes in and burns. To my delight, Le Prunier Plumscreen does not. Maybe you can get the nano zinc oxide back, but after rubbing hard it didn't even show a crack. Add this Plum Superfruit Complex to protect against free radicals, fight wrinkles and protect the skin with moisturizing factors.
Buy ($78)
Ilya
Foundation is a makeup-free instant makeup product that is easier to use. I couldn't believe how my skin looked after using it. Squalane and hyaluronic acid hydrate the skin, and niacinamide tightens pores. It's great in a lot of ways, but be aware that it's probably not the best to wear on hot days, as it's easily tolerated and doesn't handle all that sweat very well.
Buy ($48)
Good work!
This sunscreen is a little thick when it first comes out of the bottle, but it spreads quickly after you warm it up with your hands. It evens out the skin instantly and works as a make-up base. Key ingredients include wild ginger, which helps filter blue light, and bamboo extract, which contains antioxidants that fight free radicals.
Shop (from $22)
Amazon
It's not very obvious, but honestly, if Neutrogena sunscreen came in a giant container, it would be my pick. It's an easy $10 high SPF that's basically invisible and doesn't fall into the greasy trap that higher SPFs can lead to. It is easy to clean and does not leave a white coating. Sunscreen may not have fancy ingredients, but for the price, you can't do much better than sunscreen.
$10 on Amazon
Amazon
If you have oily and/or acne-prone skin, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Sunscreen is your golden ticket. The oil-free formula won't clog pores, but is packed with high SPF and antioxidants. However, it is best for those with very oily skin. I tried it on my combination skin and while it did a good job on my T-zone, the dry parts of my face felt really tight.
$20 on Amazon
ZO skin health
If you don't want to use liquid sunscreen during the day, powder is a good option; just make sure to apply it gently (about 4 strokes per area). ZO Skin Health Sunscreen contains SPF 45 and is available in three different shades. It contains the brand's signature antioxidant complex and provides a beautiful glow.
Buy ($65)
Sephora
This is perhaps the most portable sunscreen on the list. The robust shape of the wand means you don't have to worry about liquid running around, and you can achieve precise, even coverage. Contains Shiseido's exclusive WetForce and HeatForce technology, as well as soy lecithin and licorice extract to fight wrinkles, dark spots and dullness.
Buy ($30)
Amazon
Dr. Vaidya recommends this sunscreen for those who struggle with redness. There is also a version painted with iron oxides. The formula contains niacinamide (reduces blemishes), hyaluronic acid and vitamin E (provides protection against free radicals). Plus, it's fragrance-free, easy to apply, and absorbs into the skin as a moisturizer.
$39 on Amazon
Sephora
This sunscreen is a favorite of PureWow Business Editor Olivia Dubiak, and she loves it. After the test I saw a request. It has a milky consistency and is applied as an ointment. It's lightweight, feels like a moisturizer and leaves a little shine without being greasy. Compared to many sunscreens, it also comes in a large 3.3 oz glass bottle.
Buy ($42)
beauty paste
PureWow fashion editor Abby Hepworth recommends Beauty Pie sunscreens. The Ultralight Daily SPF (the one I've tried) often sells out, so you might want to check out the Traceless Mineral Sunscreen. "I love Beauty Pie sunscreens because they're so light and absorb quickly, which means I can get on with my makeup without waiting forever," she says. "They're also not white and don't feel greasy or sticky on my skin."
Shop (from $22)
Otto
Utu Sun Cream is designed to hydrate, soothe and brighten the skin. It's not greasy and sits on the skin like a moisturizer, but the white is heavier and you really have to work at it. The brand receives a sustainability distinction for its recyclable packaging; Sunscreen comes in aluminum tubes.
Shop (from $16)
Amazon
Most of the sunscreens on this list are like moisturizers... but Naturium's Dew-Glow is the definition of a moisturizer and everything I want in a sunscreen. And it costs about $20, an affordable addition to your routine.
$22 on Amazon
spin
Naked Sundays combines foundation and high SPF protection in one mineral sunscreen. The formula contains plant-based collagen to smooth fine lines and hydrate skin, and glides on smoothly for a silky finish.
Buy ($34)
Sephora
Tower28 SunnyDays Sunscreen comes in 17 different shades and is perfect to wear under makeup or on its own. The soothing formula contains aloe vera and aloe vera for antioxidant-boosting and soothing properties. If ILIA's Super Serum Skin Color is your instant "glow", SunnyDays gives you an everyday concealer/foundation look that doesn't last.
Shop (from $29)
What makes sunscreen oily?
You know that feeling. You squeeze a small drop of sunscreen into your palms, rub it in, and you know your hands will be brighter than smooth without touching your face. But what makes sunscreen so greasy? Padgett says guilt is not something you can just give up on. In mineral sunscreens, zinc oxides and titanium dioxide enhance the formula. Commonly used chemical filters such as avobenzone, octocrylene and ethylhexyl salicylate darken because they are oily liquids.
“Some brands add absorbent oils to reduce this texture, and different emulsion systems can also be combined. But in general, many [essential] sunscreens won't help with what most people are comfortable with in texture," she says.
Benefits of oil-free sunscreen for skin care
"The biggest benefit of oil-free sunscreen for skin care is adhesion; the best sunscreen is the one you'll actually use," said Dr. said Vaidya. "I find that my patients are less likely to use sunscreens that make their skin sticky or oily compared to sunscreens designed specifically for their skin. Oil-free sunscreens are also great for people with oily or acne-prone skin." Padgett also notes that when brands include oil-absorbing ingredients like sodium calcium borosilicate and aluminum starch octenyl succinate, it often results in a matte finish.
Is a higher SPF really good?
It goes without saying that you should use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. And 40, 50... 70? Is it better to use a higher SPF?
Expert opinion - yes, it can be. "The SPF rating gives a general idea of the percentage of UV rays the product blocks," explains Padgett. "Although the differences may seem small, SPF 50 actually provides better protection than SPF 30." Dr. Sutton added that studies done to prove the effectiveness of SPF show that the average person uses more sunscreen than they think. So the protection you actually get is less.
"We think we'll get about a third of the SPF protection listed on the label based on actual use, so I tell my patients that the SPF could be higher," she says. "The most important thing about sunscreen is to find one that you use every day, rain or shine."
Other things to consider when buying sunscreen
There are many things to consider when buying sunscreen. In addition to SPF level and texture, there are other things to consider:
"Chemical sunscreens contain active ingredients that absorb UV rays," says Dr Vaidya. Mineral sunscreens, also known as physical sunscreens, contain ingredients such as titanium and zinc, which form a protective barrier that reflects UV rays. There are also hybrid formulas with mineral and chemical ingredients.
Mineral sunscreens often leave a white film and light feeling on the skin, but dr. Vaidya recommends them for sensitive and acne-prone skin because they stay on the skin instead of being absorbed. Chemical sunscreens usually have more.
Padgett explains that the PA++++ rating indicates a level of protection against skin-darkening UVA rays. This is a measure of how long it takes for your skin to tan, compared to using sunscreen.
"I generally recommend SPFs with a rating of 40 PA+++ or PA++++, but really any sunscreen on the market should be tested to determine these values, and you should get reliable protection against all of them."
Even if the drying powder feels a little heavy, it's always a good idea to start with a liquid sunscreen to ensure the most even and full coverage. Then use a spray or powder throughout the day if you have makeup on that you don't want to smudge.
"One of my favorite ways to reapply sunscreen is with a makeup sponge," says Dr. Vaidya. "You can put sunscreen on a make-up sponge and gently rub it over your face and neck until it is absorbed. This ensures that you get an even and effective layer of sunscreen on your skin."
You may even find a product that does double duty. "If you know you're going to be outside for a long time, you can use tinted SPF at the start of the day instead of makeup," says Dr. Chiraldo.
Some sunscreens on the market today offer protection against free radicals, HEV, infrared A rays and blue light. And according to experts, you should consider these things.
"New research has concluded that HEV light and infrared-A may contribute to skin ageing," says Dr Sutton. Blue light is also associated with worsening hyperpigmentation (dark spots). Infrared-A stimulates free radicals in the skin, which cause [skin damage]. It is especially important to have these additional ingredients if you have dark spots such as melanoderma.
How Much Sunscreen Should You Really Use?
Dr. Vaidya says, "It is recommended to use one-third of a teaspoon of sunscreen for the face and one cup for the body. Regardless of the number of SPF products, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours."
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