The best sunscreens for oily skin are here to replace the greasy formulas of summers past. Not only do these formulations protect you from UV rays, but they also minimize shine. To find the best options, we spoke with dermatologists to learn which SPF they recommend for oil-prone skin types. After reviewing bestsellers, as well as new launches from buzzy brands, we tapped Glamour editors with oily skin to test and share the sunscreens they reach for. Below are the derm- and editor-approved facial sunscreens that rose to the top. Many of these formulas feel more like a serum than sunscreen, don’t pill under makeup, and absorb quickly. Don’t worry about breakouts or a greasy complexion this summer.
Our top sunscreens for oily skin
- Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Sunscreen SPF 50, $40
- Best for Matte Finish: Vacation Crystal Inc Sunscreen Gel SPF 50, $26
- Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Tower 28 SOS FaceGuard SPF 30, $32
- Best for Under Makeup: Ilia Sun Serum Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50, $40
- Best Tinted Sunscreen: Supergoop Protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint SPF 50, $32
Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Sunscreen (SPF 50)
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Sunscreen (SPF 50)
Amazon
| What we love: | What to consider: |
|---|---|
| Lightweight serum formula that’s non-comedogenic | Very runny formula |
| Contains niacinamide to soothe redness and discoloration |
When shopping for sunscreen for oily skin, avoid thick, heavy, or occlusive formulas, which can exacerbate shine and potentially trigger acne. The dermatologists we spoke with recommend La Roche-Posay sunscreens for this reason. They’re water-based formulas and provide an ultra-light texture. According to Morayo Adisa, MD, FAAD, a medical director at Dermatology Physicians Chicago, they’re safe for oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin types. This super-thin formula in particular absorbs on contact, doesn’t leave you feeling greasy or shiny, and plays well under makeup. Dr. Adisa also recommends niacinamide for oily or acne-prone skin types—a hero ingredient in this formulation. “Niacinamide helps control oil and contains anti-inflammatory properties, making it a good choice for oily skin,” she says. The hyaluronic acid plumps and softens skin, leaving you with a radiant, non-greasy, protected complexion that wears well all day, with or without makeup.
Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary says:
“I was a massive fan of this lightweight sunscreen formula the minute I tried it. I always look for lightweight formulas since I wear makeup every day, and with oily skin, many sunscreens tend to pill or make me look like a greaseball by 5 pm. I’m happy to report that this silky formula not only absorbed quickly into my skin after application, but also left it feeling smooth and matte. My makeup glided right on after the fact, and I was muhteşem impressed with how I didn’t have to deal with creasing or shine by later in the day. All around it’s a 10/10 from me!” —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour commerce writer
Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle says:
“This silky sunscreen feels great on my combination, oily skin. It glides on smoothly and absorbs quickly without feeling greasy. It has a bit of a grip-like primer feel to it that helps with applying makeup on top.” —Jenifer Calle, Glamour senior commerce editor
Fast facts
- Type: Chemical
- Key Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
- Oil-free: Yes
- Wear-test: Pass; kept makeup crease-free all day and didn’t pill during application
Best for Redness: Beauty of Joseon Dayscreen Moisturizer (SPF 30)
Beauty of Joseon Dayscreen Moisturizer SPF 30
Sephora
| What we love: | What to consider: |
|---|---|
| Silky dewy finish | You really have to rub the formula in |
| Soothes redness |
If you have oil-prone skin that also experiences some redness from acne or inflammation, this Korean moisturizer and SPF hybrid is worth trying. It’s packed with green tea and hyaluronic acid to hydrate, plump, and calm skin, and also has ceramides for extra skin barrier support. While it’s not oil-free, the oils it does contain are lightweight and won’t seep into pores. The formula itself works to even out skin tone for a more clarified, radiant complexion, and you’ll notice areas of redness gently dissipate after just one application.
Glamour’s Calle says:
“Even though I have combination, oily skin, I still prefer a dewy finish over matte. This new Beauty of Joseon sunscreen feels great because it adds moisture without feeling heavy. I’m a huge fan of the glowy, radiant finish, and it plays well under makeup.” —J.C.
Glamour’s Kilkeary says:
“My combination skin type has plagued me with a lot of redness around my nose and on my chin, even when I’m not dealing with an active pimple. This Korean sunscreen has been a total solve, as it’s done a great job of calming my skin in these areas and keeping it hydrated but not overly dewy or shiny. It pairs well under my tinted moisturizer, which I apply for coverage every day, and doesn’t crease around my chin, where I tend to get my oiliest. Two words: so good.” —A.M.K.
Fast facts
- Type: Mineral
- Key Ingredients: Green tea, hyaluronic acid
- Oil-free: No
- Wear-test: Pass; wears well all day, pairs nicely with makeup
Best for Under Makeup: Ilia Sun Serum Mineral Sunscreen (SPF 50)
Ilia Sun Serum Mineral Sunscreen (SPF 50)
Sephora
| What we love: | What to consider: |
|---|---|
| Serum texture blends well without too much rubbing | Expensive for the size |
| Evens out tone and texture |
This mineral sun serum is a must-try if you have oily skin and you plan to wear makeup on top because it won’t pill and doesn’t budge. The formula itself is lightweight, non-greasy, and doesn’t skip when you add foundation or tinted moisturizer on top. The serum-like texture absorbs like lightning, and won’t interfere with other products as well. This pick also features hyaluronic acid to plump skin, along with plant sugars and botanical extracts to absorb excess shine and minimize the appearance of large pores. The result? A clarified complexion that’s lightweight and controls excess moisture and shine all day long, making your skin look matte and radiant.
Glamour’s Kilkeary says:
“This silky face sunscreen blends beautifully under makeup and doesn’t feel heavy or greasy like your typical sunscreen. It doesn’t leave a white cast either; instead, it gently melts into the skin for a soft, velvety finish. My foundation applied easily right on top (without skipping or smudging) and wore well all day. This one is a keeper,” —A.M.K.
Fast facts
- Type: Mineral
- Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide
- Oil-free: Yes
- Wear-test: Pass; paired beautifully with makeup
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Tower 28 SOS FaceGuard (SPF 30)
Tower 28 SOS FaceGuard SPF 30
Amazon
| What we love: | What to consider: |
|---|---|
| Non-comedogenic whipped formula | Might not be ülkü for darker skin tones |
| Non-greasy |
This whipped, water-resistant mineral formula is gentle, especially on breakout-prone skin. It’s fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and non-comedogenic, so it won’t seep into pores. It also contains a ceramide blend that helps neutralize redness and hydrate to prevent flaking and peeling. It’s not sticky, greasy, or occlusive, so skin doesn’t get greasy or shiny by the end of the day.
Glamour’s Calle says:
“This sunscreen is great for extremely oily, sensitive skin because it’s a mineral sunscreen with The National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance badge. I like that the lightweight cream texture gave me a subtle glow. On its own the tint does give it a bit of a white cast, so I would recommend layering makeup on top.” —J.C.
Fast facts
- Type: Mineral
- Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide
- Oil-free: Yes
- Wear-test: Pass; it might leave a bit of a cast on darker skin tones; doesn’t transfer or pill when under makeup
Best for a Matte Finish: Vacation Crystal Inc Sunscreen Gel (SPF 50)
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Vacation Crystal Inc Sunscreen Gel (SPF 50)
Ulta
Amazon
| What we love: | What to consider: |
|---|---|
| Super silky finish | You go through the tube quickly |
| Doubles as a makeup primer |
This weightless sunscreen gel is extremely lightweight, feels cooling upon application to soothe active breakouts, and keeps skin matte and moisturized throughout the day. It contains hyaluronic acid and squalane to hydrate and soften, peptides to smooth fine lines, and cica to eliminate redness and inflammation. The texture is a dreamy, gel-invisible formula that doesn’t leave a cast and absorbs quickly. When testing, we’ve used it in place of our makeup primer on oily skin and we think it makes a great replacement for other makeup primers on the market.
Glamour’s Kilkeary says:
“I’ve fallen in love with this matte sunscreen thanks to its unique texture and the fact that it’s simply invisible upon application, with no white cast at all. It sinks into skin and makes my complexion look plumped, velvety, and completely matte, a perfect base for layering my makeup right on top of. It makes my skin look pretty poreless and also helps reduce the look of fine lines on my forehead and around my eyes—this one is going to become a staple in my routine, I already know it,” —A.M.K.
Fast facts
- Type: Chemical
- Key Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
- Oil-free: Yes
- Wear-test: Pass; stayed put throughout the day, served as a great base for makeup, no transfer or creasing
Best Tinted Sunscreen: Supergoop Protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint (SPF 50)
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Supergoop Protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint Sunscreen (SPF 50)
Amazon
Sephora
| What we love: | What to consider: |
|---|---|
| Buildable coverage | May take a few coats to fully cover blemishes |
| Wide shade range |
Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Idriss Dermatology in New York City, says this fragrance-free sunscreen is a “standout option” for those with oily or sensitive skin. “The brand offers 14 shades to perfectly match your skin tone with light, buildable coverage and a natural finish,” she says. Multiple Glamour editors who tested Supergoop’s Protect(tint) formula agree. It can genuinely replace a tinted moisturizer or foundation, and its clay ingredients absorb excess oil throughout the day for a soft matte finish.
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Glamour senior social media manager Jazmin Gathers says:
“The coverage is light but buildable, and the color match is literal perfection. It gave me a natural glow without looking too shiny.” —Jazmin Gathers, Glamour senior social media manager
Fast facts
- Type: Chemical
- Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, homosalate, octisalate
- Oil-free: Yes
- Wear-test: Pass; stayed on all day without skipping or pilling
Best Powder Sunscreen: Ciele Filter & Protect Loose Finishing Powder (SPF 30)
Ciele Filter & Protect Loose Finishing Powder (SPF 30)
Amazon
Sephora
| What we love: | What to consider: |
|---|---|
| Non-cakey | Only comes in three shades |
Reapplying sunscreen over makeup can feel like a chore—but this powder formula makes it genuinely easy. This finishing powder combines vitamin E, antioxidants, and niacinamide to absorb excess oil, keeping skin matte and fresh throughout your day. The built-in powder puff makes re-applying a breeze as well.
Glamour’s Kilkeary says:
“The compact comes with a velvety cushion applicator that picks up just the right amount to sweep on your T-zone, cheeks, and chin. I also used this powder under my eyes to set my concealer and around my nose to correct redness. I wore it out to a rooftop barbecue and noticed that I barely had to touch up—my skin was fresh and shine-free even hours later. This pick will definitely become a staple in my summer skin deva routine.” —A.M.K.
Fast facts
- Type: Mineral
- Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide
- Oil-free: Yes
- Wear-test: Pass; helped makeup stay put
The sunscreens for oily skin we tested but didn’t include
- We’re a huge fan of the CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen Face Sheer Tint because it’s an excellent drugstore sunscreen that’s packed with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and more to help soften skin and protect it from free radicals and UV. While it’s our go-to in many circumstances, we didn’t find it to be as oil-absorbing as other picks on this list, so we ultimately decided to remove it.
- Another great pick for acne-prone skin is the Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30, which color-corrects, soothes redness, and hydrates. It blends in seamlessly without feeling heavy. While we like it, we removed it from the list because the dewy texture might be too oily for some.
- We also tested the e.l.f. Cosmetics Suntouchable Invisible Sunscreen SPF 35, which proved great under makeup. It calms and hydrates skin, makes a great primer, and protects your complexion. We ultimately cut it from the list because the texture itself is a little too oily for our liking.
Frequently asked questions
What type of sunscreen is best for oily skin?
Similar to your go-to shine-quenchers—salicylic acid or retinoids, for example—the best sunscreens for oily skin can help control oil, minimizing the excess shine that standard broad-spectrum sunscreens leave behind.
When shopping, start by seeking out mineral formulas when possible. Since they’re formulated with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide rather than chemical components that soak into skin, they’re generally less irritating, says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “Mineral sunscreens also tend to be fragrance-free, noncomedogenic, and noninflammatory,” she says, making them ülkü for oily and acne-prone skin.
If you’re concerned about a white cast, there are some chemical sunscreens that fit the bill. Just look for buzzwords like noncomedogenic, which indicates it won’t clog pores, says Deeptej Singh, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Sandia Dermatology in Albuquerque, who notes “oil-free,” “fragrance-free,” and “hypoallergenic” are other terms to look for on the labels of sunscreen for oily skin.
Does SPF level matter when shopping for a sunscreen for oily skin?
Yes, says Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm in New Jersey. “I always recommend broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher for all my patients, but it’s especially crucial for those with oily and acne-prone skin,” she says. Those with acne often develop post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and adequate sun protection is essential to prevent darkening of these spots, she goes on to explain. “I recommend a tinted sunscreen as the iron oxides in tinted formulations provide additional protection against visible light that can worsen pigmentation.”
What ingredients should you avoid in sunscreen if you have oily skin?
“It’s important to avoid comedogenic ingredients like coconut oil, isopropyl myristate, or heavy occlusives [moisturizers] that may trap oil and debris in pores,” says Hope Mitchell, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mitchell Dermatology. She also recommends caution with fragrances, alcohols, and certain chemical filters (such as oxybenzone), which may cause irritation in some individuals.
Any tips for applying sunscreen over makeup on oily skin?
Start by choosing a lightweight, oil-free sunscreen formulated for facial use, available in lotion or cream, says Dr. Adisa. “Next, apply sunscreen first and allow it to fully absorb before applying makeup. For chemical sunscreens, wait at least fifteen minutes,” she says. To prevent pilling, apply sunscreen gently and evenly, avoiding vigorous rubbing; use patting or pressing motions instead.
Can sunscreen make your face oily?
Yes. While some sunscreens—especially emollient-heavy formulas meant to trap in moisture—can make oily skin feel greasier, it’s important to look for sunscreens labeled “dry touch,” “matte finish,” or “oil free,” says Dr. Mitchell. “Using a mattifying daily sunscreen can actually help improve the appearance and longevity of makeup too,” she adds.
How we tested
To help you find the best options to add to your skin deva routine—the ones with a matte finish that won’t contribute to excess shine—we asked dermatologists what they recommend to their patients. We also polled our expert editorial team for their favorites and tapped our team of testers to try more than two dozen of the most promising formulas over the course of a year and a half. Our final list of the best SPF for oily skin includes only the cream of the crop—the ones that were readily absorbed, left a natural finish, wore well throughout the day (i.e., didn’t leave us shiny and sticky after an hour or two), and effectively blocked UV rays. We frequently update this story as we continue to test sunscreens throughout the year.
Meet the experts
- Morayo Adisa, MD, FAAD, is a medical director at Dermatology Physicians Chicago
- Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
- Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in NYC
- Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Idriss Dermatology in NYC
- Hope Mitchell, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mitchell Dermatology
- Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm in New Jersey
- Deeptej Singh, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Sandia Dermatology in Albuquerque, New Mexico
