These 13 Sunscreens for Oily Skin Won't Make You Feel Greasy (2024)

An important note on sunscreen safety: The FDA is proposing changes to sunscreen regulations, as some active ingredients can enter the bloodstream. Until it can reach a more robust conclusion on safety, the FDA — and the Good Housekeeping Beauty Lab — urges Americans to continue using mineral and chemical sunscreen to protect against UV damage.

Wearing SPF every day helps prevent against sun damage, wrinkles and most importantly, skin cancer. If you have oily skin, however, you may be afraid that sunscreen could turn your skin into an oil slick. "Those with oily skin may avoid applying sunscreen or only put on a thin layer because it feels too 'heavy' or 'clogging,'" says board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Y. Claire Chang, M.D., of Union Square Laser Dermatology in NYC. "This is definitely not ideal."

Luckily, there are plenty of sunscreens out there that won't clog your pores or make your skin feel more oily. At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our Beauty Lab regularly tests to find the best sunscreens on a variety of different skin types and tones — including zinc oxide, natural and chemical sunscreen for face and body, sunscreen for sensitive skin, sunscreen for kids and babies, and even powder SPF — to find out which are best and for whom.

Our Beauty Lab experts evaluate sunscreens for a wide variety of skin types and concerns, but when it comes to oily skin, we look for oil-free, non-comedogenic formulas. In our most recent test, we surveyed over 2,500 women and assigned 330 sunscreens to testers who rated them on factors like oiliness, tackiness, whether or not the sunscreen left a residue, caused irritation, and more. After evaluating over 5,500 answers, these are our Lab picks for the best sunscreens for oily skin from mineral to chemical formulas, including dermatologist-approved picks from Dr. Chang:

In our Lab test, this sunscreen came out on top for not leaving skin oily or shiny. The formula is a unique gel-lotion hybrid that goes on smoothly and soaks into skin quickly. "I was impressed from the first use," one tester says. "The texture and application was so smooth, did not tug on my skin like many facial sunscreens. I also could not believe the finish. Not greasy at all, almost seemed to blur my pores and give a matte finish which was so nice because facial sunscreens usually seem to magnify my pores."

This coconut-scented sunscreen will help mentally transport you to a tropical location. After you apply, this SPF gives a totally matte finish to the skin. "I have extremely sensitive skin and this product did not cause any skin irritation at all," one tester notes. "It went on smooth, soaked in quickly and had a nice 'vacation-y' coconut scent with no sticky oily feel." It is a thinner formula, so some testers noted that it can be a bit runny.

Though we haven't tested this pick in the Beauty Lab, EltaMD sunscreens are always a favorite among dermatologists, and for good reason. "EltaMD UV Clear is a mineral broad-spectrum sunscreen that is lightweight and contains niacinamide, which helps protect, repair, and brighten the skin," Dr. Chang says.

This sunscreen won't add to oily skin, and it also helps absorb oil entirely. We haven't testing it in the Lab, but according to Dr. Chang, this "is an ultra-light oil-free sunscreen that is hydrating yet lightweight." It's packed with antioxidants, so while it's shielding you from the sun, it also helps fight free radicals.

Dr. Chang says this sunscreen is perfect for oily skin. "It is an oil-free, lightweight sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB," she explains. We haven't tested it in the Lab, but Dr. Chang says, "this moisturizer-plus-sunscreen combo is non-comedogenic and contains Micropearl Technology, which actually helps to absorb surface oil, resulting in a matte finish."

This sunscreen is non-tacky, non-oily and doesn't leave skin shiny or irritated. "I liked the velvet feel of the product and also that I didn’t look as shiny at the beginning of wearing the product," one tester says. "The product feels light on the skin. Nice finish and work well for under makeup. Very easy to apply, non-sticky. This product feels silky on my skin and looks so natural." Beware: this option may leave a white cast, according to our testers.

This pick is a cult favorite, and our Lab testing confirmed why. Not only does this sunscreen feel unbelievably light on skin, it also doubles as a makeup primer — so you never have to worry about pilling. "When I put it on it disappeared, it almost felt like i wasn't putting on sunscreen," says one tester, who marveled that skin "did not feel oily" after application. "It did not interfere with my moisturizer or my makeup. When I put it on without makeup, I actually got compliments on my skin what had I done differently!"

This sunscreen came out on top in our Lab testing for not running into eyes, stinging eyes or causing breakouts and leaving no white cast on a range of skin tones. "The texture of the product was really nice – like a gel that was instantly absorbed," one tester says. "It didn't leave any residue or film and wasn't sticky or tacky. It felt weightless and like I wasn't using any product."

By using a combination of chemical and mineral sunscreen, this liquid formula manages to feel light on skin and not leave a white cast or residue. “At first I thought it was too thin, but after the first application, it was perfect," one tester notes. "I also liked that it did not run and felt like it absorb into my skin fast. I couldn't tell I was wearing sunscreen after the first five minutes of application."

If you have sensitive skin, this sunscreen is likely a safe bet. It doesn't feel greasy or oily or leave behind any sort of film or residue and gives skin a shine-free finish that testers said "didn't irritate skin." "I like that it wasn't greasy when applying and it seemed concentrated and lightweight on my skin," a tester said.

Not only does this SPF not leave skin feeling oily or slippery, it absorbs well. "My face looked youthful while wearing this product," one tester said, and it scored high points with testers for being moisturizing. Testers found it effectively protected against sunburn and loved "the cooling sensation that I felt when applying," and that "the product did not make me feel sweaty and sticky." Some even swear, "this is the best sunscreen I have ever tried."