Best Facial Sunscreens of 2024, Tested and Chosen From 50 Top Brands

Supergoop's sunscreen formulas are meant to not 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 over. Unseen is nonirritating, noncomedogenic, dermatologist-tested, fragrance-free and vegan, making it great for all skin types. And because it's clear, it also works for any and all skin tones -- other face sunscreens can leave behind a white film or have a tint that's too light for darker complexions. 

There's a hint of sunscreen smell, but it's not overpowering in the slightest. The formula didn't feel as hydrating on my skin as the EltaMD face sunscreen did, so I wouldn't wear it by itself. But if you already use a face moisturizer and you wear makeup daily, Unseen will serve you well. 

The smell of Aveeno's facial sunscreen is reminiscent of the typical sunscreen you'd grab when you head to the beach, albeit not as strong. However, the lotion is lightweight, sinks in nicely and leaves a soft, natural finish.

The formula is water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes and is meant to be moisturizing like Aveeno's other lotions and creams. Given its hydrating ingredients and the consistency of the formula, it's probably a better choice if you have normal or dry skin, as opposed to oily or combination.

When it comes to mineral sunscreens, the active ingredient -- zinc oxide -- is sometimes hard to completely rub in and often leaves a white cast behind. Kinship’s Self Reflect probiotic moisturizing sunscreen is the complete opposite. The cream is tinted slightly pink, easy to blend and feels hydrating. It contains turmeric to help soothe the skin and jojoba esters to moisturize. Made with Kinbiome, the brand's plant-based probiotic, the cream minimizes skin irritation and supports blemish-prone skin and the skin's barrier. The formula is also vegan, cruelty-free and safe for all skin types. 

Kinship produces only clean products. This means that its sun care products never contain petrochemicals, SLS or SLES (sulfates that can irritate eyes, skin and lungs), parabens, synthetic fragrance or color, silicones or polyethylene glycol, which is harmful for the environment. Its sunscreen products are even offered on Credo, a website for only all-clean brands. 

This face sunscreen is for people who hate thick, pasty sunscreens on their skin. It has the look and feel of a facial moisturizer, blends in incredibly quickly and makes my skin feel nice. Honestly, I kept touching my face after it sank in because it felt remarkably soft.

This is completely unscented, which is good for people who are sensitive to fragrance. Coola's Classic Face Sunscreen is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, but doesn't feel heavy at all, unlike the other water-resistant options I tried. Bonus: It also contains ingredients that are reef-safe under Hawaii's sunscreen regulations.

Coola is great as a daily sunscreen for the face, either under makeup or on its own.

Black Girl Sunscreen is a black-owned brand that caters specifically to women of color. 

The face sunscreen is a little thicker than the others on this list, but it blends in nicely without leaving a white cast. You can use Black Girl Sunscreen on both your face and body. 

The formula is vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free, ultra sheer, infused with cocoa seed butter, jojoba and avocado oil, and water-resistant for 80 minutes. It feels moisturizing on my skin, and I can see it working for all skin types, especially those with dry skin. 

As someone with acne-prone skin, I have used and trusted Murad for years. The brand is dermatologist-developed and offers products that are friendly for acne-prone, sensitive and oily skin. If you have a similar skin type, you should consider Murad. 

Murad's Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum sunscreen is oil-free and minimizes the appearance of pores on top of the SPF. It feels hydrating on my skin and is the most matte of all the face sunscreens on this list. It's my top choice for those who have oily or acne-prone skin. 

As with Murad, I am loyal to the La Roche-Posay brand. In fact, I have been using its Double Repair Face Moisturizer for years. It's dermatologist-tested, safe for sensitive skin, oil-free, noncomedogenic, fragrance-free, allergy-tested, paraben-free and contains niacinamide (vitamin B3) and ceramide-3.

I put this Roche-Posay SPF moisturizer to the test with a few other moisturizers. The only one that came close was Naturium's Dew-Glow Moisturizer SPF 50. This brand offers reputable products, but I found that the sunscreen was harder to rub in compared to Roche-Posay. On top of that, the Double Repair Face Moisturizer has more fluid ounces for the same price as Naturium, and Roche-Posay feels more hydrating on my skin.

The Badger Active Mineral Sunscreen is the thickest sunscreen on this list, and for this reason it's the best waterproof facial sunscreen. The uncoated zinc oxide creates a solid barrier between your skin and the sun. It's water-resistant for 40 minutes. The sunscreen is unscented, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, water-free, reef-friendly and the package is made from recycled materials. It also contains organic sunflower seed oil, beeswax, vitamin E and sea buckthorn fruit extract to help keep the skin moisturized.

While the formula is thick, it does rub into the skin pretty well. It didn't leave a white cast on my skin. However, because it's heavy on the skin, I wouldn't recommend it to those with oily or acne-prone skin.

Isdin Photo Eryfotona Actinica is designed for actinic damage (skin that already has been damaged or changed by the sun), such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and reduced elasticity. It contains antioxidants and is water-resistant for 40 minutes.

The formula is liquid and blends into the skin in seconds. It's lightweight and can be used on any skin type -- especially mature skin that has already seen a lot of sun exposure.

If you prefer a glowy, dewy finish instead of a matte finish for your primer, Supergoop's Glow Screen is the one for you. It's very similar to Supergoop Unseen, except for the finish and consistency. Instead of a clear gel, the Glow Screen is more of a sheer liquid that adds some moisture and a glow, but without too much shimmer or glitter. It doesn't feel heavy on the skin. 

Glow Screen comes in various shades such as dawn, golden hour and sunset. While I was worried that there wasn't an exact shade that matches my skin, I was surprised how well each shade blended in. Glow Screen is perfect for a primer before makeup or even as your only makeup.

When it comes to getting your kids to put on sunscreen, sometimes it's easier to give them face sunscreen in a twist tube. Coola's sunstick travels well and applies to faces smoothly. It requires little to no work to rub it into your skin.

Coola's Refreshing Water Hydration Stick is also antioxidant-enriched, cruelty-free, vegan, dermatologist-tested, noncomedogenic and Hawaii Reef Compliant. It also contains hyaluronic acid, aloe and coconut water -- which gives it its signature moisturizing feeling. It quite literally feels like you're applying cool water to your skin.

Cay Skin recently appeared on my radar. Owned by supermodel and vitiligo spokesperson Winnie Harlow, Cay Skin offers products for all skin tones that don't leave behind a white cast. Cay Skin's Isle Glow Face Lotion contains sea moss, hydrating nectar, niacinamide and panthenol (vitamin B5). It's dermatologist-tested, noncomedogenic, fragrance-free, vegan, cruelty-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free and silicone-free. 

I like that the tint to this facial sunscreen is not too dark and not too light. It blends in nicely with little effort and I can see it illuminating most skin tones.

If you're tired of lotions and thick SPF, there is another option. Powder sunscreen is on the rise and Supergoop has added a powder option to its line of sun care. I also tested Supergoop's (Glow)setting Powder, but I found Brush on Block to be the superior option. The powder is not too sparkly (unlike Supergoop) and it's similar to powder foundation. 

Brush on Block's Mineral Powder is translucent, reef-friendly, cruelty-free, vegan and water-resistant for 80 minutes. I like that it can easily be reapplied and applied over makeup or a moisturizer.

Note: Powder sunscreen should be used in addition to regular sunscreen -- not on its own.

The Glossier Invisible Shield sunscreen is similar to Supergoop Unseen. Both have similar consistencies and apply on the skin clear. However, the Glossier face sunscreen feels more moisturizing on the skin. It applies very dewy and then seeps into the skin, bringing the hydration within.

Glossier's gel facial sunscreen is cruelty-free and TSA-friendly, as it's under the liquid recommendations and slips right into any bag. I recommend that you apply this Glossier sunscreen after moisturizer and before makeup.