The 23 Best Non-Greasy Sunscreens, Vetted by a Former Sunscreen Skeptic

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 beauty newsletter, Youngish, that scared me enough to start researching the best non-greasy sunscreens for my face. After testing countless formulas, I’ve found a handful I actually want to wear. That includes my overall favorite, Hero Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen ($20); the summertime heavyweight Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion ($25) and the viral ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint ($48). Read on for the 23 best non-greasy sunscreens that converted me, a sunscreen naysayer, into a vigilant user.

• 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 so they can 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 based in New York City with an interest in skin of color, cosmetic dermatology and skincare education. She has over 10 years of experience in clinical research and medical writing.
• 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.

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.

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 [like calcium sodium borosilicate and aluminum starch octenylsuccinate] 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.

“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’s formulated to complement their skin. Non-greasy sunscreens are also ideal for those with oily or acne-prone skin.”

It’s common knowledge that you should be using sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30. But is using SPF 40, 50 or 70 any 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.”

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 or mists, it’s always good to start with a liquid sunscreen to ensure the most thorough and even coverage. Then, use SPF powders or mists 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 double duty product. “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.”

"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.”