Confession: until about six weeks ago, I rarely ever wore sunscreen. The oily texture was unappealing to me, and as someone with horrendous allergies and terrible eyesight, sunscreen was usually a hinderance to rubbing my eyes and keeping my glasses on my nose. But after reading the sunscreen issue of PureWow’s new beauty newsletter, that scared me enough to start researching the best non-greasy sunscreens for my face. After testing countless formulas, I’ve found 23 I actually want to wear. Here are the 23 best non-greasy sunscreens that converted me, a sunscreen naysayer, into a vigilant user.
The 23 Best Non-Greasy Sunscreens, Vetted by a Former Sunscreen Skeptic
Here are the ones I’d reach for again and again.
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Published Aug 2, 2023
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The Top 10 Non-Greasy Sunscreens at a Glance
1
Best Overall
Hero Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen
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2
The Disappearing Act
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
read more
3
Best Gel
ZO Skin Health Gel Sunscreen
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4
Best for Intense Outdoor Activities
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion
read more
5
Best Setting Spray
Kate Somerville UncompliKated SPF
read more
Meet the Experts
- Alex Padgett is a cosmetic chemist and co-founder of Educated Mess, a skincare brand that focuses on bringing consumers scientific information about the ingredients in their products that empowers them to make better informed decisions. Padgett, who also runs a popular skincare TikTok account, holds a Master of Science in cosmetic science from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- Dr. Toral Vaidya, M.D., MPH is a dermatology resident physician at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. She completed her medical training and her master's in public health at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
- Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, M.D. FAAD, is a Miami-based board-certified dermatologist with over 40 years of experience. She is also the founder of Dr. Loretta skincare. Her products have been featured in Allure’s Best of Beauty awards, Harper’s Bazaar’s Ani-Aging Awards and named a Refinery 29 Innovator.
- Dr. Allison Sutton, M.D., FRCPC, is a board-certified dermatologist running West Dermatology in Vancouver. Previously, she was the director of aesthetic dermatology at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio.
How We Tested the Sunscreens
To put together a list of contenders, I asked dermatologists about the sunscreens they’re currently wearing and recommending. In addition, I also looked at the products that were trending on social media. Then, I tested every single one of those sunscreens to cull a comprehensive list of the 23 best non-greasy sunscreens for your face.
- What We Love: super lightweight, green tint helps mitigate redness, manageable white cast, good for acne-prone skin
- What We Don’t Like: slightly funny smell
- Type of Protection: mineral
- Active Ingredients: zinc oxide
- SPF: 30
- Water Resistant: no
- Size: 1.69 ounces/50ML
From their Mighty Patch hydrocolloid pimple patches to their Pore Release blackhead clearing treatment, Hero Cosmetics makes some stellar products, and this sunscreen is one of them. It’s become my go-to for days when I’m staying mostly inside and not planning to sweat much. I like that the slightly green formula helps to even out redness, while being incredibly lightweight and not chalky. As a glasses wearer, I’m often irked that sunscreen causes them to slide down my nose, but this sunscreen does not. The scent, which smells a bit like baby powder, isn’t my favorite, but it does fade after the initial application.
- What We Love: weightless, oil-free, scentless, filters blue light, blocks infrared light, can be used as a makeup primer
- What We Don’t Like: small bottle for the price
- Type of Protection: chemical
- Active Ingredients: avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
- SPF: 40
- Water Resistant: 40 minutes
- Size: 1.7 ounces/50ML
Upon first squeezing this sunscreen into my hands, I was scared because it came out like a slightly less viscous petroleum jelly. Once I actually put it on my skin, I was floored. It’s scentless, rubs in easily and disappears completely. It can be used as a primer and reapplies easily over makeup without lifting it. The only thing I could really wish for is that it came in a higher SPF.
- What We Love: glides on, won’t disturb makeup, scentless, lightweight, has antioxidants, protects against blue light/free radicals
- What We Don’t Like: expensive
- Type of Protection: chemical
- Active Ingredients: avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene
- SPF: 50
- Water Resistant: 40 minutes
- Size: 1.6 ounces/47ML
I liked ZO’s gel sunscreen because of the high SPF, added antioxidants and protection it offers from blue light and Infrared-A rays. This is also really easy to apply over makeup; I’d pat it on with a makeup sponge for plenty of protection without smudges.
- What We Love: WetForce and HeatForce technology, pleasant smell, for face and body
- What We Don’t Like: feels a little slick before it sinks in
- Type of Protection: chemical
- Active Ingredients: avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene
- SPF: 50
- Water Resistant: 80 minutes
- Size: 1.6 to 5 ounces/50 to 150ML
This would be my swampy summertime sunscreen pick for dry, normal or combination skin. On those days when I’m sweating the second I step out my front door, it’s nice to know that the moisture is actually working in tandem with my sunscreen instead of letting it run off. Shiseido’s WetForce and HeatForce technology activate when exposed to heat and water to create extra sun protection, and for the former, they say the wetter, the better, which is music to my ears. Bonus: Through Shiseido’s Blue Project, a portion of sales goes towards supporting environmental projects for better, cleaner beaches.
- What We Love: has hyaluronic acid, soft finish, super-fine mist
- What We Don’t Like: can look a little shiny on skin
- Type of Protection: chemical
- Active Ingredients: avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, coctocrylene, oxybenzone
- SPF: 50
- Water Resistant: no
- Size: 3.4 ounces/100ML
Kate Somerville’s makeup setting spray gives your skin a gentle sheen. I appreciated the fine mist, which didn’t disturb my mascara. I’ve found that some sunscreen sprays dispense heavier droplets that make your makeup run but that’s not the case here. The spray is super lightweight, refreshing and comes out continuously. The cherry on top: because the particles were so fine, they did not make my side bangs look greasy.
- What We Love: lightweight coverage, nice scent, blue light protection, uses recycled packaging
- What We Don’t Like: not a continuous spray
- Type of Protection: chemical
- Active Ingredients: avobenzone, octocrylene, octisalate
- SPF: 50
- Water Resistant: 80 minutes
- Size: 2.2 ounces/65ML
This smells like an updated version of a classic coconut sunscreen and brings me straight to the beach when I wear it. The mist was a little heavier than the Kate Somerville setting spray, but still light and dispersed evenly. It’s also packed with antioxidants, such as aloe, cucumber, green tea and vitamin E to fight against blue light and pollution.
- What We Love: corrects redness, gives a dewy finish, can be applied to whole face
- What We Don’t Like: expensive
- Type of Protection: mineral
- Active Ingredients: zinc oxide, titanium dioxide
- SPF: 35
- Water Resistant: nl
- Size: 1.01 ounces/30ML
These color-correcting drops brilliantly neutralize redness while providing SPF protection. It’s recommended to apply two or three drops after moisturizing, however, I found that, for the price and size of the bottle, spot treating made more sense. Rub it in and watch the redness disappear in exchange for an even, dewy glow.
- What We Love: can be used on your face and body, good value, has vitamin B3 and ceramides, rubs in easily
- What We Don’t Like: wish it came in higher SPF
- Type of Protection: mineral/chemical
- Active Ingredients: homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, zinc oxide
- SPF: 30
- Water Resistant: 80 minutes
- Size: 3 ounces/89ML
If I was only going to choose one sunscreen for my entire body, it would be CeraVe’s Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen. It’s at a price point that feels reasonable enough to slather on everywhere, as opposed to saving it just for my face. And the texture is amazing—it’s not oily, it soaks in like moisturizer and there’s no white cast. It’s got niacinamide to calm the skin, ceramides for moisture and on top of it all, my glasses don’t slide down my nose while wearing it.
- What We Love: protects against blue light and pollution, for all skin types, blends easily
- What We Don’t Like: expensive
- Type of Protection: mineral
- Active Ingredients: zinc oxide
- SPF: 40
- Water Resistant: no
- Size: 1.7 ounces/50ML
Dr. Loretta’s Universal Glow Daily Defense is a light mineral sunscreen that blends in easily and leaves you with a dewy look. It’s formulated with Lipochroman to protect against free radicals and improve the appearance of fine lines and dark spots over time, while botanical extracts and ectoin work to hydrate skin and protect from blue light.
- What We Love: protection from free radicals, fights wrinkles, good for combination and acne-prone skin
- What We Don’t Like: expensive
- Type of Protection: mineral
- Active Ingredients: zinc oxide
- SPF: 31
- Water Resistant: no
- Size: 2 ounces/60ML
As someone with intense allergies, I tend to rub my eyes a lot so I hate wearing sunscreen because it inevitably makes its way in and stings. To my delight, Le Prunier Plumscreen did not. Perhaps chalk it up to the non-nano zinc oxide, but even after a vigorous fit of rubbing, there wasn’t a tear in sight. Add to that the Plum Superfruit Complex to protect from free radicals, fight wrinkles and hydrate the skin, and it’s a keeper.
- What We Love: simplifies your makeup routine, has niacinamide, squalene, hyaluronic acid to address dryness, wrinkles and uneven skin tone
- What We Don’t Like: transfers easily
- Type of Protection: mineral
- Active Ingredients: zinc oxide
- SPF: 40
- Water Resistant: no
- Size: 1 ounce/30ML
This is an instant no-makeup makeup product that’s easier to use than foundation. I couldn’t believe how even my skin looked after applying it. Squalene and hyaluronic acid provide moisture, while niacinamide helps to even tone and minimize pores. It’s a miracle worker in many ways, but note that it’s probably not best to wear it on the hottest days, as it transfers easily and won’t do well with all that sweat.
- What We Love: no white cast, evens complexion, good as a primer
- What We Don’t Like: can look dry
- Type of Protection: mineral
- Active Ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide
- SPF: 40
- Water Resistant: no
- Size: 1.5 ounces/45ML
This sunscreen is a bit thick when it first comes out of the bottle, but quickly becomes spreadable after you warm it up with your hands. It instantly evens out your complexion and functions well as a makeup primer. Key ingredients include wild butterfly ginger to help filter out blue light and bamboo extract for antioxidants that combat free radicals.
- What We Love: super affordable, high SPF, lightweight
- What We Don’t Like: only comes in one size
- Type of Protection: chemical
- Active Ingredients: avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
- SPF: 70
- Water Resistant: 80 minutes
- Size: 3 ounces/88ML
It’s not super frilly, but honestly, if Neutrogena’s sunscreen came in a giant tub, it would be my go-to. It’s $10, lightweight, basically invisible and has a high SPF without falling into the trap of grease that higher SPF can bring. It rubs in easily and doesn’t leave a white cast. This sunscreen may not be loaded with fancy ingredients, but as far as sun protection goes, you can’t do better for the price.
- What We Love: controls oil, high SPF, oil-free formula, antioxidants fight against free radicals, won’t clog pores
- What We Don’t Like: face can feel tight
- Type of Protection: chemical
- Active Ingredients: avobenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, octisalate
- SPF: 60
- Water Resistant: 80 minutes
- Size: 1.7 ounces/50ML
If you have oily skin and/or are susceptible to acne, La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Clear Skin Sunscreen is your golden ticket. The oil-free formula won’t clog pores, but still packs in a high SPF and antioxidants. That said, this is best suited for those with super oily skin. I tried this on my combination skin, and while it did a marvelous job with my T-zone, the drier parts of my face felt incredibly tight.
- What We Love: has a high SPF, gentle shimmer, available in several shades, mattifying, refillable
- What We Don’t Like: expensive
- Type of Protection: mineral
- Active Ingredients: zinc oxide, fractionated melanin, ZOX complex
- SPF: 45
- Water Resistant: no
- Size: 0.09 ounces/2.7 grams
If you don’t like touching up with liquid sunscreen throughout the day, powder is a good option—just make sure you’re thorough with the application (about 4 passes per area). ZO Skin Health’s powder sunscreen has SPF 45 and is available in three different shades. It’s got the brand’s signature antioxidant complex and adds a gentle shimmer.
- What We Love: WetForce and HeatForce technology, easy to travel with, good for all skin types, helps combat winkles, dark spots and dullness
- What We Don’t Like: will pick up debris on face
- Type of Protection: chemical
- Active Ingredients: avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
- SPF: 50
- Water Resistant: 80 minutes
- Size: 0.7 ounces/20 grams
This is probably the most portable sunscreen on the list. The solid stick form means you don’t have to worry about travelling with liquids, and you can have precise, even coverage. It’s got Shiseido’s signature WetForce and HeatForce technology, plus soy lecithin and licorice extract to target wrinkles, dark spots and dullness.
- What We Love: hypoallergenic, good for sensitive/acne-prone skin, niacinamide helps with discoloration and skin tone
- What We Don’t Like:
- Type of Protection: mineral
- Active Ingredients: octinoxate, zinc oxide
- SPF: 46
- Water Resistant: no
- Size: 1.7 ounces/50ML
Dr. Vaidya recommends this sunscreen for those experiencing redness. There’s also a tinted version with iron oxides. The formula contains niacinamide (reduces blemishes), hyaluronic acid and vitamin E (which offer protection against free radicals). Plus, it’s odorless and rubs in easily, soaking into the skin like moisturizer.
- What We Love: no white cast, hydrating, good for normal to oily skin, comes in a fairly large bottle
- What We Don’t Like: not water resistant
- Type of Protection: chemical
- Active Ingredients: avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene
- SPF: 50
- Water Resistant: no
- Size: 3.38 ounces/100ML
This sunscreen is a favorite of PureWow’s commerce editor Olivia Dubyak, who sang its praises. After testing it, I saw the appeal. It’s milky in consistency and rubbed in like a lotion. It’s lightweight, feels like moisturizer and leaves a little sheen without looking greasy. Compared to many sunscreens, it also comes in a generous 3.3-ounce bottle.
- What We Love: argan oil, niacinamides, antioxidants, glowy finish
- What We Don’t Like: can be expensive for non-members
- Type of Protection: mineral
- Active Ingredients: zinc oxide
- SPF: 30
- Water Resistant: no
- Size: 1.69 ounces/50ML
PureWow fashion editor Abby Hepworth recommends Beauty Pie sunscreens. The Ultralight Daily SPF (which is what I tested) is often sold out, so she’ll turn to the Traceless Mineral Sunscreen. “I love Beauty Pie’s sunscreens because they’re so lightweight and absorb quickly, meaning I can get on with my makeup routine without having to wait forever,” she says. “They also don’t have a white cast, and don’t feel greasy or sticky on my skin.”
- What We Love: has hyaluronic acid, squalane and sea buckthorn to hydrate skin, easy to travel with, recyclable packaging
- What We Don’t Like: heavy white cast
- Type of Protection: mineral
- Active Ingredients: zinc oxide
- SPF: 30
- Water Resistant: 40 minutes
- Size: 0.67 to 2.5 ounces/20, 75ML
Utu’s sunscreen is formulated to hydrate, soothe and brighten skin. It’s not greasy and sits like moisturizer on the skin, however, the white cast is on the heavier side and really needs to be worked in. The brand gets the sustainability badge for its recyclable packaging; the sunscreen comes in aluminum tubes.
- What We Love: niacinamide and ethyl ascorbic acid help to improve complexion, dewy finish, feels most like a true moisturizer
- What We Don’t Like: not water resistant
- Type of Protection: chemical
- Active Ingredients: homosalate, octisalate, avobenzone
- SPF: 50
- Water Resistant: no
- Size: 1.7 ounces/50ML
Most of the sunscreens on this list felt like moisturizer to some degree...but Naturium’s Dew-Glow is the definition of a moisturizer, which is all I want from a sunscreen. And it hovers at just around $20, making it an affordable addition to your routine.
- What We Love: vegan collagen to smooth fine lines and boost moisture, antioxidants, works as a priming lotion
- What We Don’t Like: initial smell is a little funky
- Type of Protection: mineral
- Active Ingredients: zinc oxide
- SPF: 50
- Water Resistant: 80 minutes
- Size: 1.7 ounces/50ML
Naked Sundays combines a primer and high SPF sun protection into one mineral sunscreen. The formula contains vegan collagen to help smooth fine lines and boost moisture, and spreads smoothly over the skin for a satin finish.
- What We Love: available in 17 shades, won’t cause breakouts, evens redness, designed for sensitive skin
- What We Don’t Like: small tube
- Type of Protection: mineral
- Active Ingredients: zinc oxide
- SPF: 30
- Water Resistant: no
- Size: 1 ounce/30ML
Tower28’s SunnyDays sunscreen comes in 17 different shades and is great for layering under makeup or wearing on its own. The soothing formula contains prickly pear and aloe for an antioxidant boost and soothing properties. If ILIA’s Super Serum Skin Tint is the instant “glow up,” SunnyDays gives more of an everyday concealer/foundation look that doesn’t transfer as much.
What Makes Sunscreen Feel Greasy?
You know the feeling. You squeeze a dollop of sunscreen into your palms, rub them together and before your hands even make it to your face, you know it’s going to be slicker than a slip ‘n slide. So, what makes sunscreen feel so greasy? According to Padgett, the culprits aren’t really things you can opt out of. In mineral sunscreens, it’s the zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that can make formulas feel heavy. Commonly used chemical filters like avobenzone, octocrylene and ethylhexyl salicylate, will feel slicker because they themselves are oily liquids.
“Some brands add oil-absorption ingredients to help reduce that texture, and different emulsion systems can also be incorporated. But in general, a lot of [necessary] sunscreen filters aren’t going to contribute to what most would consider a pleasant texture,” she says.
Skincare Benefits of Non-Greasy Sunscreens
“The number one skincare benefit of a non-greasy sunscreen is compliance—the best sunscreen is one that you will actually use,” says Dr. Vaidya. “I find that my patients are much less likely to use sunscreens that leave their skin feeling sticky or greasy, compared to a sunscreen that is formulated to complement their skin. Non-greasy sunscreens are also ideal for those with oily or acne-prone skin.” Padgett also notes that when brands incorporate oil-absorbing ingredients like calcium sodium borosilicate and aluminum starch octenylsuccinate into their formulas, this often yields a more matte finish.
Is Higher SPF Really Better?
It’s common knowledge that you should be using sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30. But what about 40, 50...70? Is using a higher SPF really better?
The expert conclusion is yes, it can be. “The SPF rating gives a general indication of the percent of UVB rays that are blocked by the product,” Padgett explains. “Although the differences seem miniscule, SPF 50 does, in fact, provide better protection than SPF 30.” Dr. Sutton adds that studies conducted to prove an SPF’s efficacy often use way more sunscreen than the average person would think to apply in everyday life. Thus, the protection you actually get is lower.
“It’s estimated we get about one-third of the SPF protection on the label based on real world use, so I tell my patients that a higher SPF can be better,” she says. “The most important thing about a sunscreen is finding one that you’ll actually put on every single day—rain or shine.”
Other Things to Keep in Mind When Sunscreen Shopping
There are so many things to think about when shopping for sunscreen. Aside from SPF level and texture, here are some other things to keep in mind:
- Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreen
“Chemical sunscreens contain active ingredients to absorb UV radiation,” says Dr. Vaidya. “Mineral sunscreens, also known as physical sunscreens, contain ingredients such as titanium and zinc that form a protective barrier to reflect UV rays. There are also hybrid formulations that contain both mineral and chemical ingredients.”
Mineral sunscreens can often leave a white cast and chalky feeling on your skin, but Dr. Vaidya recommends them for sensitive and acne-prone skin, as they sit on top of your skin, rather than get absorbed. Chemical sunscreens are usually more spreadable.
- PA++++ Ratings:
PA++++ ratings indicate the degree of protection from UVA, which is what causes your skin to tan, Padgett explains. This is a measurement of how much time it would take your skin to darken with vs. without sunscreen.
“I tend to recommend SPF above 40 with PA+++ or PA++++ ratings, but really any sunscreen on the market should have been tested to determine those values and you should be getting reliable protection from them all.”
- Powder vs. Liquid vs. Mist:
Even if you lean towards the lightweight feeling of powders of mist, it’s always good to start with a liquid sunscreen to ensure the most thorough and even coverage. Then, use mist or powder to touch up during the day if you’re wearing makeup that you don’t want to smudge.
“One of my favorite tricks for reapplying sunscreen is using a makeup sponge,” Dr. Vaidya says. “You can apply your sunscreen onto a makeup sponge and gently blot it over your face and neck until it’s absorbed. This will ensure that you’re getting an even and effective layer of sunscreen on your skin.”
You can also look for a product that pulls double duty. “If you know you will be outdoors for prolonged periods, you can use a tinted SPF instead of makeup as you start your day,” Dr. Ciraldo says.
- Free Radicals, HEV, Infrared-A and Blue Light:
Some sunscreens on the market now specifically tout protection against free radicals, HEV, infrared-A and blue light. And according to the experts, you should be thinking about these things.
“Emerging research has concluded that HEV light and infrared-A rays can contribute to skin aging,” Dr. Sutton shares. “Blue light has been linked to worsening hyperpigmentation (dark patches) as well. Infrared-A rays induce significant free radicals in the skin, which ultimately lead to [skin damage]. It’s especially important to have these added ingredients if you’re someone who suffers from dark patches like melasma.”
How Much Sunscreen Should You Actually Apply?
"It's recommended to use about one-third of a teaspoon of sunscreen for the face and a shot glass amount for the body,” Dr. Vaidya says. “No matter what the SPF number of the product, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours.”
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