10 Best Sunscreens for Acne-Prone Skin, Tested & Reviewed 2025

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If you struggle with an oily T-zone and breakouts, greasy sunscreen might sound like your worst nightmare (believe me, it’s mine!). Luckily, the best sunscreens for acne-prone skin types do exist, it just takes a little trial and error to find the right one that’s lightweight, noncomedogenic, and completely residue-free. In a quest to discover the best ones, Glamour editors and contributors have spent over a year researching the market. We asked leading dermatologists which types of SPF products they recommend, then put dozens of the most widely recommended and well-reviewed options to the test.

Our top pick (and a personal favorite of mine) is the EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46 because it’s dermatologist-recommended and fast-absorbing, has a smooth and silky consistency, and won’t break you out; plus, you can wear it under makeup seamlessly. We also tested other formulas, including tinted sunscreens to help cover active pimples and ultra-sheer consistencies that don’t leave a white cast or grease behind.

Best Overall: EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen, $44Best for Sensitive Skin: Neutrogena Mineral UltraSheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen, $14Best for Oily Skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 60, $33Best Korean Beauty: Innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45 with Hyaluronic Acid Color Correcting, $22Best Tinted: Supergoop! Protec(tint) Daily Tint SPF 50 Sunscreen, $44Best Powder: Brush On Block SPF 50 Mineral Powder Sunscreen, $46How we picked the best sunscreens for acne-prone skinWhat should you look for in a sunscreen for acne-prone skin?

For oily or acne-prone skin, choose noncomedogenic, oil-free, fragrance-free, and lightweight sunscreens that also contain acne-fighting and anti-inflammatory ingredients, like lactic acid and niacinamide, says Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist at California Skin Institute. And while you’re peeping those ingredient labels, skip anything with thick emollients like coconut oil, mineral oil, beeswax, and silicones. “These ingredients are more likely to clog pores and flare up acne breakouts, particularly in warmer months,” says Azadeh Shirazi, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of La Jolla Dermatology in California. “Instead, look for hydrating ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid.”

During evaluations, we assessed all of the most important attributes of a great sunscreen: ingredients, consistency, finish, scent, and—of course—how well the product actually prevents sunburn. Ingredients we looked for were noncomedogenic, meaning they won’t cause breakouts or clogged pores. We opted for sunscreens that were ultralight and oil-free, had little to no fragrance, and dried down quickly without leaving a film or white cast behind. We also looked for options that made our skin look smooth and fresh to layer makeup evenly on top, and ones that were easy to reapply (like powders). The best sunscreens for acne-prone skin didn’t irritate our existing pimples or create new ones—instead, they made our complexions look clarified, even-toned, and bump-free.

Best Overall: EltaMD UV Clear Face SunscreenOriginal photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen

1/10

EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen

Two dermatologists and one esthetician recommend EltaMD’s cult-favorite, clear broad-spectrum SPF as their top facial sunscreen for acne-prone skin, so you know it’s good. “I frequently recommend EltaMD UV Clear to my acne-prone or oily-skin patients for excellent sun protection that won’t promote breakouts, and my patients love it,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. “Formulated with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin E, this daily moisturizer offers SPF 46 protection and is fragrance-free, dye-free, and noncomedogenic,” she says.

Our testers are quick to sing its praises too. “I like the creamy consistency of this facial sunscreen, since lightweight serum-like options can be kind of goopy and hard to work with,” says Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley, who has dry skin. “Still, this one doesn’t leave any sticky residue behind. It also has a higher SPF than many others and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.”

Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary is a fan too. “I struggle with breakouts and have always had issues finding a sunscreen that wasn’t greasy or pilled after I combined it with my other skin care or makeup products. This super-lightweight, completely-clear formula has pretty much solved this conundrum for me. It instantly melts into the skin and doesn’t leave me looking or feeling greasy in the slightest. My makeup layers beautifully on top, and I’ve always felt super-well-protected every time I wear this!”

Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 40 / Oil-free: Yes / Size: 4 fl. oz.

What we love: Lightweight; layers well; noncomedogenic; fragrance-freeWhat could improve: Some users with darker skin tones say it leaves a slight white castBest for Sensitive Skin: Neutrogena Mineral UltraSheer Dry-Touch SunscreenOriginal photo from Brigitt Earley testing Neutrogena Mineral UltraSheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen (SPF 30)

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Neutrogena Mineral UltraSheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen (SPF 30)

We’re big fans of Neutrogena, all around—the drugstore brand offers excellent value with products that hit the mark on both price and efficacy—and their sunscreen is no exception. We especially like this relative newcomer (it was reformulated last summer), which comes recommended by Gretchen Frieling, MD, a triple board-certified dermatopathologist in Boston.

“Yes, it’s a little bit runny, but it applies like a dream,” says Earley. “It rubs in clear in mere seconds, with absolutely no greasy or sticky residue in its wake.” We like that it’s enriched with antioxidants like vitamin E, too, so it’s working for your skin while it protects. It’s also fragrance-free, making it a solid option for those with sensitive skin.

Active ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide / SPF: 30 / Oil-free: Yes / Size: 3 fl. oz.

What we love: Water-resistant for up to 80 minutes; absorbs quickly; no sticky or greasy residueWhat could improve: Some users noticed pillingBest for Oily Skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 60Original photo from Jenifer Calle testing La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra-Light Face Sunscreen SPF 50

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La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 60

It may be tinted, but dermatologist Deborah Longwill, DO, FAOCD, founder of the Miami Center for Dermatology, says this formula is popular amongst all of her patients—both men and women. “La Roche-Posay is a great sunscreen brand for hydration and sun protection for all skin types and ages,” she says, noting that this particular product is both lightweight and oil-free. She also likes that it’s widely available in drugstores.

Testers like the runny texture, which applies more like a serum than a lotion. It absorbs almost instantly and doesn’t leave skin feeling at all greasy or sticky. “Application is effortless and mess-free, and the formula doesn’t pill when layered with other products, so you can easily apply makeup on top for daily wear,” says Earley. You’ll also get some skin benefits beyond sun protection, too, thanks to a dose of antioxidants that help protect against environmental aggressors.

Active ingredient: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide / SPF: 50 / Oil-free: Yes / Size: 1.7 fl. oz.

What we love: Lightweight; glowing finish; doesn’t clog poresWhat could improve: Formula is slightly tackyBest Mineral Sunscreen: Drunk Elephant Umbra 100% Mineral Cream SPF 30/PA+++ Tinted Face SunscreenOriginal photo from Maame-Yaa Aforo testing Drunk Elephant Umbra 100% Mineral Cream SPF 30/PA+++ Tinted Face Sunscreen

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Drunk Elephant Umbra 100% Mineral Cream SPF 30/PA+++ Tinted Face Sunscreen

If you’re on the hunt for a daily SPF to moisturize and block UV rays all at once, Mina Amin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, recommends Drunk Elephant Mineral Cream. “This brand doesn’t use irritating ingredients, so I find it works well for someone who has sensitive skin and is looking for a good mineral sunscreen,” says Dr. Amin, noting it blends really well and comes in a sheer option, plus two lightly tinted shades for a more “skin-compatible finish.”

Glamour reviewer Maame-Yaa Aforo says this sunscreen has a “nongreasy texture” that suits her skin, which is “oily with occasional hormonal acne and dark spots from acne scars.” It’s a great option for under makeup, but doesn’t necessarily offer enough coverage to wear on its own, she says.

Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 30 / Oil-free: No / Size: 2 fl. oz.

What we like: Hydrating; nongreasy; protection from UV rays and free radicalsWhat could improve: Limited shade rangeBest Skin Tint: Supergoop! Protec(tint) Daily Tint SPF 50 SunscreenOriginal photo from Jazmin Gathers testing Supergoop! Protec(tint) Daily Tint SPF 50 Sunscreen

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Supergoop! Protec(tint) Daily Tint SPF 50 Sunscreen

A tinted sunscreen for oily skin is especially useful if you want to cover up redness, blemishes, or texture from pimples. This medium coverage tint does just this, and is so good it can even be used to replace a tinted moisturizer or foundation in your makeup routine.

“The skin tint literally looks like skin,” says Glamour senior manager of social media Jazmin Gathers. “The coverage is light but buildable, and the color match is literal perfection. I tend to have oily skin so I set it with a little powder, but I didn’t feel like the product itself was oily. I didn’t have to reapply it, and it gave me a natural glow without looking too shiny.”

Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 50 / Oil-free: Yes / Size: 1.18 fl. oz.

What we love: Blends into the skin seamlessly; covers pimples and hides discolorationWhat could improve: Pricey for a small bottleBest Korean Sunscreen: Innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45 with Hyaluronic Acid Color CorrectingOriginal photo from Jenifer Calle testing Innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45

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Innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45 with Hyaluronic Acid Color Correcting

Korean sunscreen is renowned for being gentle on the skin, noncomedogenic, and a perfect base for makeup. Our editors are simply enamored with this formula exactly for these reasons: It absorbs pretty much upon contact, has a green tint to help cancel redness, and makes skin feel smooth and protected.

“I have combination skin and sometimes my nose and cheeks get red. The green tint (though it’s more like jade color) diminishes any redness. But you do have to rub it in pretty well to avoid any white cast since it’s a thick consistency,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle. She ranks this among her favorite sunscreens because of its “glowy finish.”

Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 45 / Oil-free: Yes / Size: 1.7 fl. oz.

What we love: Color-corrects redness; skin drinks up the formula; has hyaluronic acid to hydrate; helps address areas of hyperpigmentationWhat could improve: The tint can create a slight white castBest Sunscreen for Redness: Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight SunscreenOriginal photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30

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Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30

If you struggle with redness, let us point you to this neat sunscreen that has a green, color-correcting formula to cancel out red pimples.

“This one is really unique,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary. “It has a green tint (which may be off-putting to some at first, but stay with me here) and a creamy finish. It slides onto the skin effortlessly and dries down upon contact. I also like that it acts as a great primer—there’s seriously no need to add a primer on top before you apply makeup. It leaves the skin velvety and silky, without a touch of oil or residue behind.”

Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 35 / Oil-free: No / Size: 3 fl. oz.

What we love: Lightweight; nongreasy; great for redness and rosaceaWhat could improve: Can be dryingBest Tinted Sunscreen: Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPFOriginal photo from Jen Calle testing Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex Sunscreen SPF 50

8/10

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF (SPF 50)

Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City, and Glamour contributor Hanna Lustig love Colorescience’s Sunforgettable Face Shield Flex, which helps protect against sun damage. “This lightweight, broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen uses zinc oxide, iron oxide, antioxidants, and a patented Enviroscreen technology to protect against UVA and UVB rays, blue light, pollution, and infrared radiation, while also hydrating the skin,” says Dr. Garshick. “It’s available in four different shades, making it easy to blend with your skin for natural coverage, and it uses iron oxide pigments to adapt to your specific tone without leaving the skin feeling greasy, making it great for all skin types.”

Lustig adds that “this trusty tint might be the only skin care product I use every day regardless of season or context. Oily-skin girlies, don’t let the cushiony texture of this tinted sunscreen deter you! The formula is hydrating enough to glide over dry patches and problem areas, but within minutes it dries down to a semi-matte finish with surprisingly substantial coverage.”

Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 50 / Oil-free: Yes / Size: 1.8 fl. oz.

What we love: Lightweight; slightly tinted; protection from free radicalsWhat could improve: Limited shade optionsBest Spray Sunscreen: Vacation Super Spritz Sunscreen Face MistOriginal image of Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing the Vacation Super Spritz SPF 50 Face Mist

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Vacation Super Spritz SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Mist

Yes, the name may tip you off, but there’s a lot more that goes into making this product (from a TikTok superstar brand) such a great option for on-the-go. The tiny 2.2-ounce container meets TSA requirements and is small enough to tuck into a personal item like a purse or a beach bag. But despite the size, the spray sunscreen is a great pick for both the face and body. The chemical sunscreen emits a superfine SPF 50 mist that just about disappears when it hits skin, so you don’t have to work too hard rubbing it in. It also contains skin care ingredients that are suitable for both acne-prone and sensitive skin types. Standouts include bisabolol, aloe, cucumber, shea oil, maracuja oil, caffeine, banana, coconut, green tea, vitamin E, and ferulic acid.

“I pretty much carry this face mist with me anywhere I go in the summertime,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary. “It’s so refreshing upon application, and I find that it does a great job of keeping my skin hydrated, protected, and smudge-free throughout the day. I recently brought it along with me on a trip to Florida. I found myself spritzing my face with it every few hours in the 80-degree hot sun, and my makeup didn’t move an inch.”

Active ingredients: Avobenzone, octocrylene, octisalate / SPF: 50 / Oil-free: No / Size: 2.2 fl. oz.

What we love: Suitable for all skin types; entirely clear; dries quickly; great scentWhat could improve: Because it dries so fast, you have to be careful not to miss any spotsBest Powder Sunscreen: Brush On Block SPF 50 Mineral Powder SunscreenOriginal photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Brush On Block SPF 50 Mineral Powder Sunscreen

10/10

Brush On Block SPF 50 Mineral Powder Sunscreen

A powder sunscreen is a great option if you’re worried about reapplying throughout the day, or want to layer sunscreen over your makeup. This lightweight powder formula is easy to bring with you on the go, and allows you to easily boost SPF coverage with a flexible brush.

“I love a good setting powder, but I have to say, this is the very first one I’ve tried with SPF in it, and I was thoroughly impressed,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary. “The powder itself is very finely milled and immediately mattified my skin after application. I focused it on my T-zone area and chin, where I get most oily, and didn’t feel the need to reapply until hours later. I did apply this twice during my eight-hour workday but found that it generally kept me grease- and shine-free. I’d highly recommend this to anyone who wants an easy reapplication of SPF for their skin care routine, especially if you’re going to be out in the sun for a few hours.”

Active ingredient: Titanium dioxide / SPF: 50 / Oil-free: No / Size: 0.12 fl. oz.

What we love: Makes sunscreen application a no-brainer; flexible brush makes it easy to cover your whole faceWhat could improve: The powder spills and can be messyYour sunscreens-for-acne-prone-skin questions, answeredDoes SPF matter when shopping for a sunscreen for acne-prone skin?

According to Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC, SPF definitely matters. “Look for a sunscreen with at least SPF 30, as studies have found that it will block 97% of the sun’s UVB rays. I therefore generally recommend using a sunblock that has SPF 30 or higher. But it is important to keep in mind that you will need to reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating to maintain the SPF,” she notes.

What ingredients should you avoid in a sunscreen for acne-prone skin?

While it’s important to know what ingredients you should look out for in the best sunscreens for acne-prone skin, it’s just as important to know what to avoid. “Chemical sunscreens that have ingredients like avobenzones can cause pimples in sensitive, acne-prone skin,” says Dr. King. It’s also important to avoid ingredients like cocoa butters, oils, and isopropyl palmitates, as these ingredients can also irritate acne-prone skin.

Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYCBlair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, a board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist at California Skin InstituteGretchen Frieling, MD, a triple board-certified dermatopathologist in BostonMarisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York CityAzadeh Shirazi, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of La Jolla Dermatology in California