The best face sunscreen picks to wear 365 days a year

The best face sunscreen should be comfortable to wear, look good on the skin and, most importantly, be a formula that will protect it from the sun effectively—no matter your skin type. 

90% of skin aging is caused by sun damage, so wearing a minimum SPF of 30 (or better yet 50) is a non-negotiable part of your skincare routine every day of the year, and especially in summer. In these cases it's important to reapply sunscreen to any exposed area every two hours—especially on your face. But it's still a must on cloudy days or when you're inside, as UVA rays are still present and can pass through both clouds and glass; if you're in contact with daylight then it's still very much required.

“Choose a sunscreen that offers a minimum of SPF 30 and has a UVA symbol too, indicating that it provides broad-spectrum protection,” says consultant dermatologist Dr. Justine Kluk. This means it’ll protect against harmful UVA rays (the ones that cause premature aging) and UVB rays (the ones that burn your skin) and therefore, as Dr. Kluk puts it, “is important for reducing our risks of skin cancer and premature aging."

"Choose a tinted sunscreen for extended protection against visible light wavelengths, too," she adds. "This is especially relevant if you are prone to dark marks such as melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. If you don’t get on well with tinted products some plain sunscreens, such as the Heliocare 360 range, are formulated to give this extra visible light protection, too."

Meet the expert on facial sunscreen

Dr Justine Kluk (opens in new tab) is a London-based consultant dermatologist with a particular interest in acne and rosacea. She has advised My Imperfect Life readers on why facial sunscreen is so important and what to look for when shopping for one that'll best suit your skin. 

How we tested the best face sunscreen

When testing these sunscreens, our tester wore each one for at least three days, taking the following factors into account.

• Cost
• Formula—whether it’s mineral, chemical, or a mix of both
• Texture and how lightweight it is
• Ease of application
• What it looks like 5-10 minutes after applying
• How it looks and feels on skin (ideally there will be no trace of it)
• How makeup applies and wears on top of it
• The finish—is it matte, dewy, or glowy, for example?

When it came to picking which products to test, we took into account numerous price points, different formulas and also included both tried-and-tested favorites alongside newer formulas. As with our guides to the best retinol serums and best vitamin C serums, we've detailed exactly what each one is like to use and wear, including the pros and cons of each pick, to help you make the right sunscreen choice for you and your skin—including those that can slot into the best acne skincare routine.

Meet the tester

Meet the tester

Lucy Partington

My skin can be sensitive to some ingredients but is generally quite hardy, a bit blemish-prone, and slightly oily. Sunscreen is a forever non-negotiable for me (without it, every other step is pointless) and it has to be lightweight, virtually invisible once applied, and must sit well under makeup. I don’t like anything that I can feel on my skin, and will always lean toward a glow-giving formula over something mattifying. 

The best face sunscreen as reviewed by a beauty editor

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid sunscreen is a dream to apply. Being both unscented and with a super lightweight forumla, it feels as though you're applying a skin-friendly moisturizer rather than a protective sunscreen (if you're wondering whether to apply sunscreen or moisturizer first, SPF is always the last step in your regime before makeup). 

It's unscented, but I didn't mind this as it felt far less artificial than some other options. It protected my skin well and I felt little to no redness after a day outside. The one drawback is that the formula is so thin that it can easily run or drip if you're not careful. However, this is easily solved by pouring some into your hand before application to manage the flow; it's not one you can spray or place right onto the area you need it.

"This is one of my all-time favorite formulas," agrees My Imperfect Life's deputy editor and in-house beauty expert, Aleesha Badkar. "Yes, it does come out a little runny, but I actually quite like the thin texture as it absorbs into the skin quickly and prevents any greasy or white cast on the skin after use. I also found it had a kind of blurring effect on my oily, large pore-prone complexion, so—for me at least—it gave the impression that I'd applied a sheer makeup base, almost working like a sunscreen and primer in one."

Glossier is one of the few companies that have managed to combine chic packaging with hard-working, effective skincare products, and Invisible Shield is one of its most loved products. The gel-like formula feels a bit like a serum and is entirely invisible, making it suitable for all skin tones because it will never leave a white cast. It’s formulated with so-called "active microcapsules" that instantly absorb into the skin, making for a great makeup base.

The only downside to the formula is that it contains fragrance, so if you have super sensitive skin or skin that’s easily irritated, it’s probably best to avoid this particular sunscreen. Aleesha actually quite enjoys the scent though, saying that it "starts her day with a fresh and energizing aroma". Invisible Shield is also great for those with oily and blemish-prone skin, as it's non-comedogenic—meaning that, like the best non-comedogenic foundations, it won’t clog pores. It's also vegan and, like all Glossier products, cruelty-free.

One of the most affordable and effective daily sunscreens currently on the market, Garnier’s Ultra Light Sensitive Face Fluid SPF 50 is formulated with hyaluronic acid to help hydrate skin. It also utilizes the antioxidant power of vitamin E for added protection against pollution and other environmental aggressors. When testing, I did find that the formula was fairly runny—more like a milk than cream—so be aware of that before you crack yours open.

However, I found that it was easy to apply and when wearing it's virtually invisible, something I always look for in a sunscreen. It sits well under makeup and thanks to the low price point, it’s a great starting point for anybody who’s still yet to make SPF a solid part of their daily skincare routine. It comes in a sizeable bottle, but with daily use you'll easily finish it by its use-by date—for anyone wondering, "does sunscreen expire?". Beauty contributor Lucy Abbersteen agrees that it sinks into the skin brilliantly and, particularly because of its price point, it's one of the sunscreens she most often recommends to friends looking to buy something fairly affordable. 

I had big expectations for this one as Carbon Theory products are well-known for their impressive breakout-busting technology—and after testing, I definitely wasn't disappointed by this new kid on the block. It is formulated with the brand's own formula of SymSave® H, alongside glycerin—both of which work together to calm and soothe sensitive skin and restore its balance in order to protect against irritation.

I found that the formula felt super light, which meant that it glided onto my skin easily and didn't leave it feeling greasy at all. To make sure this washes off effectively, the brand recommends doing a double cleanse as part of your evening skincare routine—especially if you have breakout-prone skin.

Ultra Violette is an Australian sunscreen brand that prides itself on developing ‘skinscreens’—which, in their words, is a combination of skincare products, like the best vitamin c serums, with sunscreen. Each product is developed with hydrating ingredients that are just as effective as the SPF elements, meaning it’ll work just as hard when it comes to looking after your skin and protecting it against UVA and UVB rays.

This one, Clean Screen, is formulated especially for sensitive, reactive and acne-prone skin, is entirely weightless on the skin, and is free from both alcohol and fragrance, and promises to help soothe inflammation. I fond that it felt really refreshing on the skin, helping to calm any slightly redder areas on my complexion.

Supergoop! is a sunscreen-only brand, meaning it’s spent the last 16 years working to really perfect its formulas and make them as cosmetically pleasing as possible. It’s a brand that prides itself on creating different sunscreen formulas for different occasions and skin types. Glowscreen is perhaps their most popular product, and I can see why.

When testing, I found that it gave my skin a natural-looking glow and provided an incredible dewy finish without a speck of glitter in sight—it truly lived up to what it says on the box. It blends in really nicely, doesn’t feel at all like sunscreen on the skin, and instead creates the perfect base for makeup—in short, it’s all but a glow-giving primer with the added benefit of having broad-spectrum sun protection. The formula also contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate along with niacinamide to soothe, while added antioxidant protection comes from sea lavender and cocoa peptides.

See our full Supergoop Glowscreen Golden Hour review to read more about one of the newer shades

A formula love by deputy editor Aleesha, she says of this product: "This is a sunscreen that I have purchased again and again. It's definitely my number one product when it comes to effective, comfortable, and flattering sunscreens for face. Not only does it feature protection against both UVA and UVB rays, it also protects from blue light and—thanks to an infusion of antioxidants—pollution, making it a great option for those who spend all day at a computer screen or a lot of time in the city (hence the name).

"But it's not just the protection that does it for me; I adore how this sunscreen looks and feels. It's easy to apply, as it has a relatively thick consistency, but what I love is that it goes on quite silkily and doesn't feel heavy at all. It feels hydrating and has both a satin feel and look on the skin, making it look almost airbrushed. I have oily skin and love the finish, but any oily skin types who prefer something matte might not love this silky look and feel. You can also tell that this lasts quite long on the skin, as you can almost see it thanks to the primer-like finish. It's definitely one that I can see myself using for years to come."

How to choose the best sunscreen for face

• Consider your skin type. "If you are prone to spots, opt for a non-comedogenic product where possible, and if you have very oily skin, look for formulas with a mattifying or anti-shine claim," says Dr. Kluk. "For very sensitive or reactive skin, or if you have had difficulty tolerating multiple different sunscreens, you may want to try a mineral/physical sunscreen—and consider seeing a doctor to discuss the possibility of allergy." 
• Chemical vs mineral sunscreen. Chemical formulas work by absorbing UV rays, with active ingredients including avobenzone, octinoxate, and oxybenzone. Meanwhile, mineral formulas sit on the skin and reflect rays, using active ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Both are equally effective but, as Dr. Kluk touches on above, some chemical sunscreens can be irritating to very sensitive skin types. "Mineral sunscreens tend to be well tolerated but are often thicker, harder to spread, and more likely to leave a white cast on skin of color," she adds. 
• Always choose a dedicated SPF skincare product. Unless you are applying a very large amount of foundation to your face and neck, you won't get the same protection as you will by applying a dedicated facial sunscreen. "Don’t rely on your makeup for sun protection," our doctor says. "Studies have shown that we don’t typically apply our makeup in a thick enough layer to get the SPF on the label."