I’ve been super transparent about my love-hate relationship with sunscreen—a beauty product that, up until recently, I largely avoided due to my sensitive, acne-prone skin. In fact, just looking at 80% of the sunscreens on the market makes my oily skin erupt into one big zit. (Honestly, I wish that was me being dramatic.) Luckily for me and my sunscreen-despising psyche, lots of brands and formulas have come a long way in recent years, and more and more oil-free, acne-safe options have made their way onto the sun-protection scene.
By now, we all know that wearing sunscreen every single day (no matter the time of year or weather) is of utmost importance if you want to stave off damage and premature signs of aging. And thanks to the editor-approved selection of oil-free sunscreens below, even the oiliest, most acne-prone people can get by with that daily application sans irritation, clogged pores, and breakouts. Not all oil-free sunscreens are up to our high standards, but rest assured any of the below 15 have our discerning seal of approval. Keep scrolling!
Celebrities, facialists, dermatologists, and editors alike fawn over this cult-loved sunscreen from EltaMD. It’s the ultimate suncare sidekick for anyone who veers acne prone or sensitive, and even though it feels miraculously lightweight on top of your complexion, ingredients like sodium hyaluronate and lactic acid pull double and triple duty to keep your skin moisturized and super smooth. Pros: fragrance-free, oil-free, formulated with lactic acid, refines the skin to clear pores and reduce shine, protects skin from UVA and UVB rays. Cons: pricey. Glowing customer review: “Recommended for girlies with oily or acne-prone skin. My oily skin loves this! Suitable for my everyday use, non-sticky, and feels lightweight on the skin, love love love! My mum has combination skin and loves it, too.”
There are two camps in the world: Those who haven’t yet tried Supergoop’s best-selling SPF-and-primer hybrid and those who apply it religiously. For the former, this is your sign to finally get your hands on it, and for the latter, this is most definitely a fab excuse to stock up. Your face (and any makeup you apply afterward) will thank you, and you can rest assured your pores will remain free and clear. Pros: fragrance-free, oil-free, doesn’t leave a white cast, doubles as a primer, great for all skin types including oily and combination skin . Cons: pricey . Glowing customer review: “This is my favorite sunscreen of all time. I am not always great about using sunscreen because I hate the greasy feeling that comes with most sunscreens, but this one helps me comply with sun protection! It spreads easily, doesn’t feel greasy or heavy through the day, and wears REALLY well under makeup.”
While I love, use, and repeatedly recommend both of the above formulas from Supergoop! and EltaMD, this facial SPF from French brand Avène is a dark horse and my personal favorite. I recently brought it with me to a bachelorette weekend in Palm Springs, and not only did it keep my sensitive, acne-prone skin breakout and burn free, but it also made my skin feel silky and look super healthy and glowy. Every single girl on the trip ditched whatever they had packed to use this instead. It’s a mineral zinc oxide formula that also offers extra-credit additions such as niacinamide, bisabolol, allantoin, and thermal spring water to keep the skin feeling balanced and calm. Pros: silicone-free, oil-free, fragrance-free, formulated with calming and skin tone evening niacinamide, approved by the National Eczema Association, reef-friendly . Cons: formula leaves a white cast on some skin tones. Glowing customer review: “This does have a little bit of white cast on my pale skin, but when rubbed in, it’s not noticeable and has a lovely finish. Perfect for my sensitive skin. And it’s a tiny bottle, but a very liquidy formula, so it will last a while.”
Adorable packaging aside (we can always count on Starface for a healthy dose of vanity appeal), it offers invisible broad-spectrum protection from the sun and other environmental aggressors for acne-prone skin specifically. It has a silky texture and doesn’t leave a sketchy white cast, and the cool gel texture couldn’t feel more refreshing layered on top of parched, sun-drunk skin. Pros: invisible formula, oil-free, formulated for acne-prone skin, noncomedogenic, water-resistant for up to 80 minutes . Cons: can pill when using with some serums . Glowing customer review: “Finally, an invisible sunscreen on the market that’s actually invisible! Looks like you have nothing on. No more are the days of looking like you have bacon grease smeared across your face. Doesn’t pill like the other silicone-based sunscreens either!”
I’m not going to lie—the majority of our favorite oil-free sunscreens come with a hefty price tag, but not all of the most impressive formulas out there will put a dent in your bank account. I’ve been wearing Coppertone since I was in diapers, and the brand has evolved and debuted some incredible launches in recent years. This oil-free facial option is a favorite among editors, as we can always count on it to deliver 80 minutes of water- and sweat-resistant protection while reducing the chance of a sunscreen-induced breakout. Pros: oil-free, hypoallergenic, budget-friendly, stops up to 98% of damaging UV rays, fragrance-free, water resistant for up to 80 minutes. Cons: leaves a white cast on some skin tones . Glowing customer review: “Works great. I have big pores, bad acne, and some scars. Works great indoors when you’re on your phone and sun as well.”
Beloved French brand La Roche-Posay makes some of the most popular, award-winning sunscreen formulations in the beauty biz, and you really can’t go wrong with any formula you choose. That said, if you’re someone who’s looking for an oil-free, acne-safe option from the brand, this is the one I’d recommend you try first. With each application, you’ll get a whopping dose of oxybenzone-free SPF 60 protection, and the innovative Cell-Ox Shield technology ensures fast dry-to-the-touch absorption, making it the ultimate choice for anyone who hates that infamous “sunscreen” feeling on their face. Pros: formulated with SPF 60 protection, oxybenzone-free, oil-absorbing formula, good for sensitive skin, fragrance-free, oil-free. Cons: leaves a white cast on some skin tones. Glowing customer review: “I bought this product to try on my face because other sunscreens I had been using required me to use a mattifying primer in conjunction to minimize the oily residue from them. This sunscreen does not. It goes on perfectly without an oily look afterward. This is the sunscreen you want if you already have oily skin and do not want to add more oil to it.”
Shiseido is another beauty brand that has really made a name for itself in the sunscreen category. I have a slew of go-tos, but for the peeps who crave a highly protective nutrition label, this is a smart direction to go in. You get 40 minutes of water-resistant protection, a silky matte finish, and a light-filtering effect that makes your pores look smoother and smaller. Pros: oil-free, doubles as a face primer, oil-absorbing formula, formulated without oxybenzone, formulated with hyaluronic acid great for anti-aging, ideal for all skin types including oily and combination . Cons: leaves white cast . Glowing customer review: “Great sunscreen! I usually break out with lots of sunscreens, and I do not with this one. It does have a white cast when you first apply it, but it soaks in and disappears after about 5 minutes or so! Already on my second bottle! Worth it!!!”
I love a multitasking anti-aging product, and this youth-enhancing sunscreen from Paula’s Choice ticks every last box. It’s a favorite among multiple picky editors here at Who What Wear, and you won’t believe how light and airy the formula is until you try it for yourself. Not to mention, it’s spiked with skin-improving antioxidants (black elderberry, goji, and pomegranate extracts) to stop premature signs of aging in their tracks. Oh, and fear not! If your skin is sensitive and quick to inflame, this formula has green tea and oat extract to keep your complexion cool as a cucumber. Pros: oil-free, matte formula, formulated with skin-improving antioxidants and anti-aging ingredients great for normal, combination, and oily skin types . Cons: the smell . Glowing customer review: “This sunscreen is my holy grail. I’m the type of person who always switches out their products when they run out, but this has been repurchased over and over because it is so good. The liquid texture makes it easy to blend and minimizes pores, as well as giving you a glow. I love this stuff so much.”
I know $102 is a steep investment for sunscreen, but this industry favorite (it’s obsessed over by A-list makeup artists and celebrities) is worth every penny if your budget has the bandwidth. You can wear it as a sunscreen or as a primer—it will make your foundation look magical—and the botanical-rich, nontoxic formula offers everything from providing UVB protection to softening the look of wrinkles and tightening up loose skin. It’s a powerhouse investment you won’t regret. Pros: oil-free; can be used as a makeup primer; formulated with antioxidant-rich cherry blossom, lemon balm, and white-tea extract; helps soften wrinkles while firming skin with carnosine; infused with four sunscreens; ideal for all skin types . Cons: pricey, formula can take a while to dry down. Glowing customer review: “This is my favorite primer to use! It perfectly blurs out my pores as well as having a high SPF! Will be repurchasing.”
Fenty Beauty doesn’t just offer excellent complexion products. The brand offers a refillable skin-protecting SPF formula infused with antioxidant-rich Kalahari melon; niacinamide that helps dull shine, smooth pores, and minimize dark spots; and hydration-boosting hyaluronic acid. If fragrance in skincare isn’t your thing, you can opt out of the light scent of desert melon and go fragrance-free. Pros: formulated for normal, dry, combination, and oily skin types; oil-free; can be purchased with or without fragrance; formula helps address dark spots, large pores, and skin dryness; refillable. Cons: pricey . Glowing customer review: “This is my daily SPF. Not the main moisturizer, but sunscreen. I love the texture, smell, and how it absorbs. Not a lot of sunscreens work for me, so I am glad I found this moisturizer with SPF 30.”
M-61’s oil-free sunscreen offers so many skin-boosting perks and ingredients that I’m not sure if it’s a multivitamin or a sunscreen. Light and airy, reef-safe SPF 40 combats UVA and UVB rays; peptides plump and prevent fine lines; vitamin B5 re-ups hydration; and last but not least, unique additions like tamarind, aloe, and Centella asiatica soothe and increase lost elasticity. Pros: oil-free, reef safe, helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and hyperpigmentation thanks to peptides, fast-absorbing . Cons: formula can burn sensitive eyes. Glowing customer review: “Love a sunscreen that has some added skincare benefits! It goes on so smooth, doesn’t feel greasy, and wears well under makeup. It’s my go-to 365!”
This doubles as a face and body SPF, making it the ultimate budget-conscious choice. Additionally, the water-gel, non-greasy formula offers up to eight hours for hydration. Pros: oil-free, noncomedogenic, oxybenzone-free, can be used on the face and body, great for dry skin, doesn’t leave a white cast. Cons: could be too hydrating for oily skin . Glowing customer review: “Omg!!! This sunscreen is so good. It does not leave a white cast, does not peel, and is so hydrating. My makeup glides on really well. I would 100% recommend it if you have dry skin.”
For acne-prone and oily skin types, this oil-absorbing formula infused with a blend of zinc gluconate, caffeine, niacinamide, biotin, and yeast extract helps skin stay matte all day without any powdery residue. Pros: oil-free, good for combination and oily skin, formula helps absorb oil, offers sheer coverage, matte finish . Cons: pricey . Glowing customer review: “For people who have oily skin, this is the product for them. I have used many different brands of daytime facial moisturizers with sunscreen that claimed, “for oily skin”. By the end of the day, my face would look and feel very oily. When I first used Dermalogica Oil Free Matte with SPF 30, I was looking to be disappointed again. However, to my surprise, at the end of the day, my face had little shine to it. For someone who has oily skin, this is a great product, and it has a SPF to boot!”
Next time you’re at the drugstore, make sure you basket this oil- and oxybenzone-free sunscreen from Neutrogena. The strategic formula keeps pores and skin clear thanks to noncomedogenic ingredients, and the light, water-like texture is downright yummy during a long day in the elements. Pros: oil-free, noncomedogenic, matte finish, fragrance-free, water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, oxybenzone-free. Cons: might be irritating for sensitive skin types . Glowing customer review: “It’s hard to find a sunscreen that doesn’t break you out, but once I tried this one, I never changed it. It’s so glowy on the skin, and it blends well. I never broke out from it either.”
There are lots of sunscreen-primer hybrids out there yelling for your money, but this one from Clinique is one of the best. It’s lightweight enough to be worn daily, and the sheer, oil-free composition absorbs excess oil, wicks away sweat, and keeps even the most sensitive skin happy and healthy. It’s also a great option if you’re looking to steer clear of chemical formulas. Pros: doubles as a primer under makeup, oil-free formulation helps to absorb excess oil, formulated without chemical sunscreens, great for sensitive skin types and eyes. Cons: leaves a white cast on deeper skin tones . Glowing customer review: “Best mineral sunscreen I’ve ever used! Isn’t too heavy or thick like most mineral sunscreens and doesn’t leave a white cast. It’s not tinted. It’s just not white, if that makes sense. It’s light and sheer and absorbs perfectly into the skin. This is now a holy grail product for me.”
