Shop Our Definitive Guide to Sunscreens for Oily Skin—These 16 Products Don't Dissapoint (2024)

Let’s cut to the chase: There is quite simply absolutely no valid excuse for not wearing sunscreen daily. Along with seeking shade, covering up, and avoiding peak sun hours, applying sunscreen is a crucial way to safeguard the health of your skin since unprotected UV exposure can cause sunburn, premature signs of aging, and even some cancers. However, if you have oily skin, the thought of slathering sunscreen on your face can sometimes be a little bit unappealing—especially since many formulas on the market tend to leave a greasy finish once they're applied. The good news? There are plenty of matte sunscreens that offer a nice, non-shiny finish.

We conducted hours of research on the best sunscreens for oily skin, evaluating them on active ingredients, SPF, how they interact with water, and what ingredients they’re free of. After consulting with Dr. Elizabeth Houshmand, a double-board-certified dermatologist, and considering dozens of options, we landed on these top-rated choices.

What We Like: Works for all skin types, protects against blue light, and acts as a primer.

What We Don't Like: Texture takes some getting used to.

Type: Chemical | Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | SPF: 40 ​​ | Size: .68, 1.7, or 2.5 oz | Free of: Fragrance, oil, oxybenzone, octinoxate, parabens, phthalates, sulfates | Water-Resistant: Up to 40 minutes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

There’s lightweight sunscreen, and then there’s the undetectable sunscreen that you forget you're wearing. This Supergoop formula most definitely falls into the latter camp—it's not only oil-free but also weightless, scentless, and clear. Although it's great for all skin types, we especially like it for oily skin types thanks to its completely invisible texture. Still, it packs a punch in terms of protection, guarding not only against UVA and UVB rays but also blue light, the type of light emitted from all of our electronic devices—which many of the latest studies show may be potentially damaging. As if all of that weren’t enough, it has a matte finish and layers beautifully under makeup. Devoted fans love both how it looks and feels on their skin.

What We Like: Very sheer and light, non-comedogenic, and affordable.

What We Don't Like: It may rub off on clothes.

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.4, 4 oz | Free of: Parabens, phthalates, SLS/SLES, artificial fragrance, DMDM hydantoin, urea, petrolatum, mineral oil, DEA/TEA/MEA/ETA, formaldehyde | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Pick up this top-notch option for just under $20—it has the same efficacy and feels as great as much pricier sunscreens we’ve tried. You’ll see that it does have a bit of color to it when you pump it out, but that’s more to combat any whiteness than to impart color onto your skin; it blends in completely sheer. It also has a silky feel and never leaves behind any greasy residue or excess sheen, which is always a plus. This sunscreen won’t clog your pores and is entirely mineral-based. It’s also a great pick for those whose skin is both oily and sensitive.

What We Like: Smoothing and blurring, white cast-free, and vegan.

What We Don't Like: Contains silicones.

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide | SPF: 40 | Size: 0.68, 1.5 oz | Free of: oxybenzone, octinoxate, parabens, phthalates, sulfates and synthetic fragrances | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We’re big fans of the Supergoop Mattescreen here at Byrdie. We especially love that the formula is completely mineral (yet white cast-free) and mattifies shine, blurs the look of pores, and creates a smooth, even finish on bare skin or under makeup. Commerce writer Caitlyn Martyn has personally gone through about seven bottles of this formula because of how well it protects and perfects the look of her skin. It comes in one universal peachy hue, which is designed to offset the white cast synonymous with mineral formulations; it is flexible and blendable across a wide range of skin tones, we just wish the brand had other color options to perfectly suit all skin tones better.

What We Like: Matte finish, affordable, and hydrating.

What We Don't Like: Chemical sunscreens can be irritating for some.

Type: Chemical | Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.7 oz | Free of: Fragrance, oil | Water-Resistant: Up to 80 minutes | Cruelty-Free: No

Dermatologists love this brand, a drugstore staple, for its straightforward skincare offerings featuring ceramides, essential ingredients for helping to strengthen and maintain a healthy skin barrier. This formula has those but also delivers additional moisturizing benefits, too—thanks to the addition of hyaluronic acid—plus SPF 30 protection and a matte finish.

What We Like: Some reviewers appreciate how the sunscreen is unscented, very sheer and light, and also contains skincare ingredients.

What We Don't Like: Some users with sensitive skin reported experiencing a rash after using the sunscreen.

Type: Chemical & mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, octinoxate | SPF: 46 | Size: 1.7 oz | Free of: Fragrance, oil, paraben, sensitivity-free and noncomedogenic | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Yes, this featherweight, transparent formula (a favorite among dermatologists) touts an effective combo of chemical and mineral sunscreen ingredients to help effectively shield your skin from the sun. But what we find even more noteworthy is the addition of two skincare ingredients: lactic acid, a gentle exfoliant, and niacinamide, an antioxidant that helps even tone and reduces redness. In tandem, they help to leave your complexion illuminated and more radiant. Best of all, it absorbs easily, is non-irritating, and is great for those who love a low-maintenance routine.

What We Like: Effective multitasking product, matte finish, and affordable.

What We Don't Like: Can be slightly irritating.

Type: Chemical | Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene | SPF: 30 | Size: 4 oz | Free of: Fragrance, oil, parabens, phthalates, dyes, sulfates | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Yes, you can—and should!—still use a moisturizer even if you have oily or acne-prone skin. We love this one because it delivers light hydration and, thanks to an SPF of 30, a healthy dose of sun protection. But it doesn’t stop there: It also helps mattify skin and keeps excess oil at bay. Plus, because it’s a non-comedogenic product, there’s no need to worry about clogged pores or possible pimples.

What We Like: Comes in two shades, affordable, and non-irritating formula.

What We Don't Like: Shades lack good undertones.

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Size: 3 oz | Free of: Oils, dye, parabens, phthalates, oxybenzone, octinoxate, PABA, sulfate, petrolatum | Water-Resistant: Up to 80 minutes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This non-chemical tinted lotion is more than just powerful sun protection—it delivers ingredients that are good for your skin in the form of botanical and antioxidants that nourish and won't clog pores (like Kakadu plum, eucalyptus, and red algae) as well as a powder finish to nix sweat and shine. It has an SPF of 50, it's water-resistant, and you can buy it at the drugstore. Not to mention that it also comes in two tinted shades. Score.

What We Like: Dries clear with no chalky residue, great for sensitive skin, and no scent.

What We Don't Like: Small bottle.

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.7 oz | Free of: Fragrance, oil, oxybenzone, octinoxate | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When your skin is on the sensitive side, a mineral sunscreen like this one is always going to be your best bet. It relies on zinc oxide, a mineral that sits on top of your skin to block out the sun and is much less likely to cause any kind of potential irritation than chemical blockers. Oil-free (important for oily skin) and fragrance-free (key for sensitive skin), it also absorbs quickly and blends into any skin tone; reviewers with darker skin note that it’s one of the only non-tinted, mineral options that they can wear without any chalkiness. While initially, it looks a bit dewy, it dries down quickly to a velvety and matte finish. Oh, and it contains a hefty dose of protective antioxidants, too.

What We Like: Very sheer and light, non-comedogenic, and it comes in SPF 30, 50, and 55.

What We Don't Like: Can feel a little tacky at first.

Type: Chemical | Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | SPF: 30 or 50 | Size: 3 oz | Free of: Oxybenzone, octinoxate, oil, fragrance, sulfate, parabens | Water-Resistant: Up to 80 minutes | Cruelty-Free: No

This oil-free, broad-spectrum sunscreen is made specifically for acne-prone skin—one of the sheerest, lightweight formulas we’ve ever tried. It’s non-comedogenic (as well as dermatologist-tested), so there’s no need to stress about clogged pores, ever. Plus, it'll help you maintain a matte finish all day, all the while protecting your skin from UV light (it comes in 30, 50, and 55 SPF). It's a miracle worker in a bottle for oily and acne-prone skin types—trust us.

What We Like: Dries clear with no chalky residue, soothes the skin, and is infused with natural ingredients.

What We Don't Like: May be too heavy for oily skin.

Type: Chemical | Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | SPF: 30 | Size: 3 oz | Free of: Parabens, fragrance, oxybenzone, octinoxate, aluminum | Water-Resistant: Up to 80 minutes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Formulated by women of color for people of color, this SPF 30 is filled with natural ingredients that are good for your skin, like avocado, jojoba, cacao, and vitamin C-rich carrot juice, which soothes and evens out skin.There's also sunflower oil that prevents irritation from sunburns. Free of oxybenzone and octinoxate, toxins commonly found in sunscreen, this pick is great for everyday protection. Bonus points for it drying clear and without a greasy residue (even though it does contain oil).

What We Like: Protects against UV rays and blue light, comes in four shades, and easy to use.

What We Don't Like: Hard to say how good the SPF coverage is.

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Size: 4 oz | Free of: Oxybenzone, octinoxate, oil, fragrance, gluten, parabens | Water-Resistant: Up to 80 minutes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Breaking news: You shouldn’t only be applying sunscreen daily but also reapplying it regularly—ideally every two hours or at least any time before you go outside. This 100% mineral powder sunscreen (which also contains iron oxide to protect your skin from blue light) is great for touch-ups since it won’t mess up your makeup, and it delivers a little bit of coverage, too. Not to mention that powder, in general, is a good way to absorb excess oil throughout the day. Plus, it’s self-dispensing and portable, meaning you can easily keep one on hand anytime, anywhere.

What We Like: Very sheer and light, great for all skin tones, layers great under makeup.

What We Don't Like: Dropper occasionally clogs.

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 40 | Size: .99 oz | Free of: Fragrance, chemical sunscreen, oxybenzone, octinoxate, parabens | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Here’s one for all the sunscreen haters out there. True to the name, this feels more akin to a luxurious skincare serum than any traditional sunscreen you may have ever used. Although it’s entirely mineral-based, it blends in clear skin tones (founder Venus Williams made sure of that). Comfrey plant extract, which is called allantoin, treats dry skin, leaving your face feeling soft and hydrated.

What We Like: Helps boost skin’s overall radiance, protection lasts for up to 12 hours, and doesn’t clog pores.

What We Don't Like: Can make skin feel sticky.

Type: Chemical | Active Ingredients: Avobenzone and octisalate | SPF: 30 | Size: 1 fl oz | Free of: Parabens, sulfates (SLS & SLES), phthalates, mineral oil and petrolatum, formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, triclosan, retinol, dairy, gluten, fragrance | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

There’s nothing better than a product that tackles two jobs at once. That’s why Tula’s radiance-boosting sunscreen is a perfect option for those on the go. Its luxurious formula includes a rainbow seaweed and niacinamide combination, hyaluronic acid and ceramides, a mix of prebiotic and probiotic extracts, and collagen to give a highlighting effect that protects the skin. Those of us with oily skin will benefit, too, as the product is weightless and doesn’t clog pores.

What We Like: Won't clog pores, water-resistant for up to 40 minutes, and it’s lightweight.

What We Don't Like: Only one shade in the tint.

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, artemia salina, translucent color spheres | SPF: 50 | Size: 1.7, 4.2 oz | Free of: Parabens and fragrance | Water-Resistant: Up to 40 minutes | Cruelty-Free: No

For those of us who struggle with face redness or tone unevenness, we’re in luck. Skinceuticals created a product that’ll solve those skin woes. The 100% mineral-based formula contains artemia salina, a plankton extract that protects skin from stress caused by UV rays and heat. Another bonus? The ingredients won’t clog your pores, either. The scent is rather strong (we can’t quite put our finger on what it is exactly), so those who are sensitive to fragrance might want to skip this one.

What We Like: Comes in 36 shades, boosts radiance, smoothes, plumps, and protects skin, and fragrance-free.

What We Don't Like: Some users reported experiencing an allergic reaction after using the product.

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 25 | Size: 1 oz | Free of: Fragrance | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you like to keep your makeup bag lightweight and want products that’ll accomplish multiple jobs, add this foundation with SPF 25 sunscreen to your cart. It comes in 36 shades to match most skin tones and is formulated with ingredients like niacinamide, caffeine, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and many more to help plump, protect, and promote beautiful skin. It’s important to note, though, that this product alone doesn’t count as SPF, but it’s a nice boost that’ll add extra protection throughout your day.

What We Like: Lightweight formula, users have reported that their skin is shine-free after applying, and doesn’t clog pores.

What We Don't Like: The SPF smell can be off putting for some.

Type: Chemical | Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, ensulizole, octisalate, octocrylene | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.7 oz | Free of: Fragrance, gluten, paraben, sulfate, phthalate, oil | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Don’t let oily skin get in the way of your gorgeous glow with this sunscreen. Zinc gluconate, yeast extract, niacinamide, and biotin all protect and mattify skin. Simply apply the product 15 minutes before stepping into the sun and enjoy shine-free, beautiful skin. Although it doesn’t bother everyone, the stronger SPF scent can be off-putting for some.

What to Look for in a Sunscreen for Oily Skin

• Oil-Free: At the risk of pulling a Captain Obvious, this is the most important criterion since the last thing you want is to add more oil to your face. Houshmand recommends looking for formulas that don't contain oil—even skin-loving kinds.
• Non-Comedogenic: Similarly, you want to make sure that the sunscreen you choose won’t clog pores, given that those with oily skin are already more prone to clogged pores, to begin with. There are also sunscreens for acne-prone skin if you're worried about breakouts.
• Formula: Powders and gels are an especially great option, given that they’re innately lighter and more mattifying than creams or lotions.
  

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. While her skin is drier than it is oily, sunscreen is her absolute number one must-have beauty product, so she’s extremely well-versed in all of the different types and formulas available. She does incorporate some of the ones featured on this list into her daily routine (especially during the summer when her skin is slicker). Both the Bliss and Dr. Dennis Gross formulas are currently a part of her regular rotation, and she always has one of the Colorescience powder brushes on hand at all times.

Cullen Ormond is a freelance Byrdie writer and a long-time editor whose work can be found on Apartment Therapy. She helped to ensure the sunscreen ingredients, specifications, and formulas were up to date for easy shopping. As someone whose best day is spent in the sun, working on this article reminded her of the importance of wearing sunscreen in both sunny and cloudy weather.

For this story, we worked with a skin expert to gather more insights about what to keep in mind when shopping for sunscreen for oily skin:

• Dr. Elizabeth Houshmand is a double-board-certified dermatologist in Hamburg, Pennsylvania. She’s well-versed in both cosmetic skin treatments and dermatologic surgery and is involved in education and teaching, as well as research and clinical trials.

According to ourDiversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough mattifying sunscreens from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us atcontact@byrdie.com,and we will evaluate the product ASAP.