Most dermatologists would agree that sunscreen is The Most Important product in your bathroom cabinet, far outweighing your cleanser, treatment serums, or face masks. Yet, for many people, sunscreen is still the one product that can feel like pulling teeth to apply. Which makes sense: Face sunscreens have historically had less-than-stellar formulations, from greasy formulas to white-cast finishes—so why would anyone want to use a product that leaves them oily and chalky?
But in the last few years, sunscreen innovation has come a long way. And that’s a good thing, considering sunscreen is your best line of defense against cancer-causing UVB rays and damage-causing UVA rays. Still, the best face sunscreen is the one that you’ll slather on every single day—which is why Well+Good did the work of testing dozens of facial sunscreens, from the top-selling to the lesser-known, to find the best formulas, below. Not sure where to start or which one to try first? Try following these expert-approved tips:
How to choose the best face sunscreen
Picking the best sunscreen for your skin type boils down to finding one you’ll use daily. So, it’s important to consider a few different factors like your skin type, lifestyle, and formulation to lock down one that fits into your routine.
Look for an SPF rating of 30 or more
First things first: Always pick a sunscreen with at least an SPF 30—which, FYI, all of our 2024 SPF Award Winners have. A sunscreen’s SPF (sun protection factor) measures how well it will protect your skin from sunburn, says Karan Lal, DO, a board-certified dermatologist at Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ. The kicker is, to get the most protection from your sunscreen, you also need to ensure that you’re applying enough (two finger-lengths of sunscreen for your face) and reapplying appropriately every few hours, especially if you’re sweating or swimming. So, even the fanciest SPF 60 cream on the market isn’t doing you justice if you only apply a pea-size amount once in a while.
Pick a formula you’ll actually enjoy using
To get the most protection from your sunscreen, you also need to ensure that you’re applying enough. “When it comes to sunscreen, most people only apply 25 to 50 percent of the recommended amount,” says Sara L. Allen, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Charleston, NC, and founder of Skin Clique. “On your face, a good rule of thumb is one teaspoon of sunscreen to get adequate sun protection.”
Not only that, but you’ll need to ensure you’re wearing it every single day—not just when the vibe strikes. “A 2010 study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology looked at patients who wore sunscreen every day versus those who only wore it when they felt like it,” says Dr. Allen. “Not surprisingly, those who were in the latter category had double the chance of developing melanoma relative to those who wore it every day.”
Try a formula based on your skin type
Is your skin oily and you want a sunscreen that mattifies? Or is your skin dry and you prefer something with a dewy finish? Knowing your skin type will help you pick between formulas that promise hydration versus shine control. You’ll also want to think about the type of sunscreen you want—e.g., chemical, mineral, or hybrid. Mineral sunscreens utilize zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to create a physical barrier on your skin that blocks UV rays, while chemical sunscreens utilize chemical filters (like oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, and avobenzone) to help absorb and disperse the sun’s rays.
Hybrid sunscreens formulas, as you can guess, combine the best of both worlds with chemical and mineral filters. Each has their potential pros and cons: Mineral sunscreens are gentlest on sensitive skin, but have a higher chance of leaving a white cast; chemical sunscreens are typically easiest to “wear” across all skin tones, but can potentially irritate sensitive skin types.
Whatever you decide, picking a formula you’ll commit to is the most important thing. Dr. Allen encourages her patients to keep their SPF at their bathroom sink to remember to reach for it every morning. “One of my favorite tricks for application is putting my SPF next to my toothpaste, which is found to increase your regular daily SPF use,” she says. “The moral of the story is to find the highest SPF product that you will use daily.” Got that? Now let’s dive into the winners.