When it comes to sunscreen, there are two universal truths. The first is that it’s intrinsic to any skincare routine. (Please, please, please practice safe sun, people!) The second is that you don’t have to pay an exorbitant amount of money to get a quality formula. After all, effective doesn’t mean expensive. That goes for face sunscreen, too. Just because it comes from the drugstore doesn’t mean it will clog your pores, leave a white cast on your complexion, or do any of the other things we often associate with bad sunscreen. In fact, for some drugstore sunscreen formulas, quite the opposite is true. There are sheer formulas, noncomedogenic formulas, two-in-one moisturizing formulas, and more. You just have to know which ones rise above the rest, and that’s exactly what I’m here for. Keep scrolling to see the 15 best drugstore face sunscreens, according to editors and reviews.
When it comes to sunscreen, Who What Wear Beauty Director Erin Jahns opts for a drugstore classic: Neutrogena. “I love Neutrogena in general,” she says. “Since I’m breakout prone, I need something oil free and light to keep me congestion free.” Pros: oil free, noncomedogenic, offers SPF 30 protection, fragrance free, water resistant for up to 80 minutes . Cons: reviewers note the formula has a strong sunblock smell . Glowing customer review: “This is my go-to sunscreen in the summer. It is non-greasy, soaks in seamlessly, and does not make me break out. It does smell like sunscreen, but it is not overwhelming. It just feels like regular lotion.”
This sunscreen-primer hybrid is so worth the money. It’s lightweight, offers SPF 30, has a sheer peach tint to avoid leaving a white cast, and treats the skin to hydrating ingredients like aloe, hyaluronic acid, and squalane. Pros: lightweight; offers SPF 30 protection; available in three shimmer finishes; doesn’t leave a white cast; doubles as a primer; formulated with skin-loving ingredients like aloe, hyaluronic acid, and squalane; fragrance free. Cons: reviewers say the formula can be too shimmery, pills when layered with some skincare products . Glowing customer review: “I have been using this since the beginning of summer. I love the glow when I wear it either as a primer or, more often, as a sunscreen when I’m not wearing makeup. I use Sunbeam, and it’s amazing with my skin tone. It doesn’t feel greasy or heavy.”
Former Who What Wear beauty editor Courtney Higgs recommends this sunscreen, which is lauded for being non-greasy, demi-matte, and water resistant. The real draw, though, has to be its completely sheer formula. Pros: boasts SPF 45 protection, water resistant, fragrance free, reef friendly . Cons: the formula could be too hydrating for some skin types, a bit pricier. Glowing customer review: “This is the last sunscreen brand I will ever use. All these years and they have cracked the code. This is the best face sunscreen. Light, matte, gel.”
Another Neutrogena pick. This one is a mineral formula that goes on smooth, feels lightweight, and doesn’t leave a slick oily residue like some other face sunscreens do. That’s impressive, especially considering it is a 100% zinc oxide formula. Pros: made with naturally sourced 100% zinc oxide, formulated with dry-touch technology that helps the SPF dry down with a non-greasy finish, fragrance free, offers SPF 50 protection . Cons: because of the mineral formula, it can leave a white cast. Glowing customer review: “At first, when I applied it, it felt thick and hard to rub in. But once I got it on my face, I loved how it looked. There is a very subtle tint that makes my skin look really nice without it looking unnatural. I don’t even need to wear foundation after applying this sunscreen. Will definitely be sticking with this one for a long time.”
This Versed sunscreen is a staple around the Who What Wear office. Thanks to SPF 35 and an antioxidant-rich formula, it protects against UVA and UVB rays as well as environmental and blue-light damage. Plus, it never leaves a white cast thanks to its peachy tint. . Pros: formulated with non-nano zinc oxide, offers SPF 35 protection, ideal for even acne-prone skin, prevents UVA and UVB rays from penetrating the skin, pregnancy safe . Cons: mineral sunscreens like zinc oxide can be sensitizing for reactive skin, a bit pricier. Glowing customer review: “This is the first sunscreen I’ve ever tried that doesn’t make my eyes sting—and I’ve tried * a lot* of sunscreens (and many of them were waaaayyy more expensive than this!). It’s cruelty-free, sinks into my skin nicely, and it dries to a matte finish so I’m not walking around all day looking weirdly glossy. I’m sensitive to smells but this doesn’t have any scent—not even a sunscreen-y one! It can be a tiny bit drying on my nose and around my lower lip, but I’m prone to being dry in those places anyway so I just slather on moisturizer before I apply the sunscreen and I’m good to go. 10/10!”
Here it is—one of my all-time favorite drugstore sunscreens. Sure, it’s more expensive than others, but it’s still technically a drugstore sunscreen if it’s sold at Target, right? Plus, you get a lot of bang for your buck. You can use it on the face and body, and a little goes a long way, so it lasts, even with regular application. It’s perfect for everyday use, but I make a point to keep it in my beach bag since it keeps me from getting burned no matter how long I stay out in the sun. Pros: fragrance free, offers SPF 50 protection, can be used on the face and body, non-greasy, water resistant for up to 80 mins. Cons: reviewers say it can take some elbow grease to get the formula blended into the skin, a bit pricier. Glowing customer review: “This sunscreen blends into the skin easily and doesn’t feel greasy. Doesn’t leave white residue and blends in seamlessly without making skin look dry or cakey. It’s easy to put makeup on over it or to reapply throughout the day. I like that the SPF is 60, so I feel protected from the sun. Don’t hesitate to purchase this one or any of their other products. I would give four stars for the price. I only wish it was more affordable. I would recommend this sunscreen.”
Fun fact: This is actually a sunscreen formulated for babies. But with a fragrance-free SPF 50 formula, it also protects grown-up skin from the sun. I use this whenever I want a no-makeup glow since it has a dewy finish. (Oily skin types, beware.) . Pros: baby friendly, offers SPF 50 protection, dermatologist tested, pediatrician approved, hypoallergenic, free of synthetic fragrances. Cons: reviewers note this is a white cast on some skin tones. Glowing customer review: “I have very dry, acne-prone, sensitive skin. I take medications that put me at risk for skin cancer, so I need to wear SPF 50 daily. I’ve tried SO MANY, and this is hands down my fav. Lightweight, moisturizing, and easy to reapply. Doesn’t cause acne and makes my skin look great. There is a white cast when applying.”
This brand has been on my radar for some time, but I wasn’t a loyal customer until I tried this unique sunscreen-serum hybrid. It’s super silky and lightweight. Plus, it sinks into my skin like a serum should, yet it offers the sun protection I need. Ingredients like spinach, green tea, and hyaluronic acid keep my skin plump and hydrated. Pros: protects against UVA and UVB damage, hyperpigmentation and pollution, formulated with hyaluronic acid, dermatologist tested, offers SPF 30 protection . Cons: reviewers say the formula can make combination skin more oily, a bit pricier. Glowing customer review: “Love, love, love this sunscreen. It was recommended by my esthetician, and she did not steer me wrong. It goes on beautifully, doesn’t have a white cast (which is extra important to me as a black woman), mixes well with a variety of other products from different brands and leaves a nice glowy finish without being too oily or greasy. 10/10 recommendation!”
I’m also a big fan of this sunscreen stick, which I pack in my bag on busy summer days. (Seriously though, reapplication is a breeze.) Aside from its convenient packaging, I like that it’s formulated with antioxidant-rich red raspberry seed oil, buriti oil, meadowfoam seed oil, and prickly pear extract to fight damaging free radicals. Pros: formulated with over 70% certified organic ingredients, offers broad spectrum SPF 30 UVA/UVB protection, water resistant for up to 80 minutes, comes in a travel-friendly stick . Cons: has a notable scent, a bit pricier . Glowing customer review: “I bought this to spot-cover some places that need extra sun protection, and it did not disappoint! I love the scent and texture, packability, and sheerness of coverage. Another gold star product from Coola!”
Okay, although this is technically a face moisturizer, it’s worth noting because it includes SPF 30 and is an Amazon best seller (so you know it’s good). The fragrance-free formula includes hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides, so it’s as moisturizing as it is protective. Pros: fragrance-free, offers SPF 30 protection, formulated with skin-loving ingredients, noncomedogenic, oil free. Cons: can leave a white residue, a bit pricier. Glowing customer review: “Perfect for sensitive skin! I’ve tried expensive lotions from Sephora or other brands like Monat, and this is the only one that doesn’t break my skin out. Moisturizing without leaving my face greasy.”
If you have only one criterion for your face sunscreen, and it is that it “has to be lightweight,” then this is the one for you. Its milky texture melts into the skin while vitamin E helps protects against free radicals and moisturizing agents keep dryness at bay. Pros: formulated to help lock moisture in to hydrate and protect the skin’s microbiome, noncomedogenic, offers SPF 50 protection, water resistant for up to 80 minutes, offers a dry matte finish . Cons: reviewers say it leaves a white cast. Glowing customer review: “I love this sunscreen. It really moisturizes well and doesn’t cause my sensitive skin any harm. It has a white cast, but that’s to be expected with a mineral sunscreen. I would definitely recommend this!”
A no-frills face sunscreen. This oil-free, fragrance-free formula is fairly lightweight. I love that it doesn’t slide or pill under my foundation, which means I can apply it daily without fear of a makeup meltdown. Pros: fragrance free, offers SPF 50 protection, oil free, water resistant, Hawaii Act 104 Reef Compliant . Cons: reviewers say this can be too oily from combination skin . Glowing customer review: “I was primarily looking for sunscreen without a white cast and oily tint to wear with light makeup. I love that this product does not have a white cast. It does leave a shiny residue on the skin, which I am torn about. Sometimes, it looks like a healthy, flushed glow, but sometimes, it’s like oily skin, which I dull down with a face powder. Overall, I don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for sunscreen I use daily, and it’s the best I’ve found in the price range.”
I know what you’re thinking: Didn’t you already include a La Roche-Posay product? I did, but to my credit, this sunscreen-serum hybrid is too good not to be included. Like the previous one, this is expensive for a drugstore sunscreen, but I justify it because it’s a two-in-one product. It’s one part sunscreen (SPF 50, to be exact) and one part anti-aging serum. It uses vitamins C and E to help defend against free radicals. Pros: a two-in-one anti-aging face serum with sunscreen; great for sensitive skin; offers broad spectrum SPF 50; clinically proven to reduce the visible appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots . Cons: reviewers share the formula could be too hydrating for oily skin types, a bit pricier. Glowing customer review: “My skin is problematic [and] prone to congestion with lots of pores, but this cream is the only thing that works for my face, and I look so pretty when my face looks so healthy, and it makes me so happy.”
This sunscreen serum was quite literally made for breakout-prone skin, meaning if you struggle with clogged pores, this one won’t make them worse. It’s a chemical-mineral hybrid that melts into the skin like a serum and leaves behind a dewy finish. Pros: features SPF 50, formulated with breakout-prone skin in mind, noncomedogenic, made with a clean-chemical-mineral hybrid that doesn’t leave a white cast, doubles as a makeup primer. Cons: none. Glowing customer review: “This sunscreen is a game-changer! It doesn’t pill and leaves a beautiful finish under makeup. I have sensitive acne-prone skin, and this doesn’t break me out or burn. Will definitely be repurchasing.”
Offering SPF 50, this sunscreen will surely protect the skin from UV rays. However, what really makes this special is the combination of five potent antioxidants, including vitamin E and C. There’s even hyaluronic acid to keep skin looking plump and smooth. Pros: infused with five antioxidants (glycyrrhetinic acid, licochalcone A, vitamin E, vitamin C, Oxynex ST) and hyaluronic acid to help reduce signs of aging, formulated with SPF 50 formula, noncomedogenic, hypoallergenic. Cons: reviewers note the formula doesn’t always stay put in extremely humid weather . Glowing customer review: “I love everything about this product. It leaves my skin so beautiful. [It] has seen improvements in my skin texture, and the best is I could use it with my make-up. It makes my skin much smoother and glowy…love it.”
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
