If you only buy one face sunscreen, make it this one. Dermatologists recommend it constantly, Reddit's skincare community swears by it, and it's one of the few sunscreens that genuinely works for sensitive, acne-prone, and redness-prone skin all at once.
What holds up
No white cast despite being a mineral/chemical hybrid formula
Contains niacinamide (vitamin B3) to soothe inflammation and reduce redness
Fragrance-free, oil-free, paraben-free, and noncomedogenic
Has a tinted version for added coverage
Recommended by dermatologists for acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation
What to know
Takes time to blend, not the fastest-absorbing formula
Higher price point (~$44-$45) compared to drugstore options
SPF 46 is slightly lower than some competitors at SPF 50
Expert verdict
This mineral sunscreen rubs in without any white cast. It's designed for those with acne, rosacea and hyperpigmentation and includes niacinamide (vitamin B3), an ingredient that can soothe inflammation and reduce redness.
All of EltaMD's sun care products are paraben-free, fragrance-free, vegan, noncomedogenic, sensitivity-free and oil-free. Combined, these factors make this the best face sunscreen on this list.
This is the sunscreen to grab when you need to slather it on liberally without guilt about cost. It's a GH Beauty Lab winner that beats pricier options on almost every metric, and that tropical scent makes you actually want to put it on.
What holds up
Exceptional value at ~$1.83 per ounce
Perfect scores for not drying or irritating skin in GH Beauty Lab testing
80-minute water resistance, great for beach and pool use
Crowd-pleasing 'beachy' scent even among fragrance-averse testers
Absorbs quickly without feeling tacky or oily
What to know
Some testers found the consistency too thin/runny
Chemical formula (not mineral), contains avobenzone
Not ideal for those avoiding synthetic fragrance
Expert verdict
The Hawaiian Tropic drugstore bargain SPF rated highly for many attributes in GH Beauty Lab evaluations, earning perfect scores for not drying or irritating skin.
Supergoop Unseen is the gateway drug for people who hate wearing sunscreen. The gel-like formula genuinely looks and feels like nothing on your skin, which means you'll actually wear it every day, and that's the whole point.
What holds up
Completely invisible on all skin tones, no white cast whatsoever
No sunscreen smell, safe for office or social settings
Gel-like texture creates a perfect base for makeup
Only 40-minute water resistance, not ideal for swimming or heavy sweating
Higher price point (~$18-$38 depending on size)
Less hydrating than lotion-based formulas, may not suit very dry skin
Expert verdict
I chose this sunscreen as the best sunscreen for everyday use because of its lightweight and sheer formula. It absorbs well into the skin and doesn't smell like sunscreen, so you can wear it to work or to go out without smelling like you just got back from a tropical vacation.
Supergoop's sunscreen formulas are meant not to feel like sunscreen at all. Unseen is a thick, clear gel that dries down to a soft matte finish, creating a great base for applying makeup. It is non-irritating, noncomedogenic, dermatologist-tested, fragrance-free and vegan, making it great for all skin types.
Blue Lizard is what you reach for when you want mineral protection without the chalky paste penalty. It's the rare mineral sunscreen that sensitive-skin people and outdoor athletes can both agree on.
What holds up
Least visible white cast of all mineral body sunscreens tested by WIRED
Hydrating, lotion-like texture that isn't sticky or greasy
No added fragrance, ideal for sensitive skin
Held up well during 3-hour outdoor hikes in real-world testing
Reef-safe mineral formula (zinc oxide + titanium dioxide)
What to know
Still has a slight white cast like all untinted mineral sunscreens
Higher price (~$15-$29) compared to drugstore chemical options
Thicker consistency may not suit those who prefer ultra-lightweight formulas
Expert verdict
Of all the body sunscreens I tested, this was my favorite, and the one I'll continue to reach for in the future.
It has a just-right consistency that's thick enough to not be drippy or greasy, but thin enough to easily rub in. It feels hydrating but not sticky, like regular body lotion.
CeraVe's tinted sunscreen is the rare drugstore product that genuinely competes with $40+ options. The skin-barrier ingredients make it feel like skincare, the tint actually works on deeper skin tones, and the price makes daily use guilt-free.
What holds up
Contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide for skin barrier support
Tint works on darker skin tones without leaving a white cast
Fragrance-free, paraben-free, non-comedogenic, and allergy-tested
Under $20 and widely available at drugstores
Glowy but not greasy finish
What to know
Only comes in three shades (light, medium, deep), limited shade range
SPF 30 is lower than some competitors at SPF 50
Mineral formula may still leave slight cast on very deep skin tones
Expert verdict
CeraVe is already a great brand for simple, budget skincare, so this sunscreen's effectiveness is no surprise. CeraVe's hydrating mineral sunscreen is a great choice for those looking for a sunscreen that provides protection and a natural-looking tint.
This hydrating, tinted mineral sunscreen provides a nice glow that isn't greasy. It is also fragrance-free, paraben-free, non-comedogenic and allergy-tested, making it suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin. It contains niacinamide, three ceramides and hyaluronic acid, providing extra hydration and skin barrier benefits.
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