Top 10 Best Sunscreens for Oily Faces in 2023

Summer is all about SUN, tanning, and having a good time. It all sounds great but there are a few facts that can ruin this summer parade. The rate of occurrence of melanoma or skin cancer has nothing to do with our skin. Sun radiations increased due to several factors and extended exposure can lead to various skin affections. One way to keep the skin healthy while still getting a tan is to use high-quality sunscreen.

Most sunscreens tend to contain oil. The oil itself acts as a good protective layer but some people already have oily skin. It will turn into a problem. Adding oil to an already oily skin will simply make things even more uncomfortable. The solution is to find some sunscreens that do not contain any oil. Some of them are even advertised as being recommended for oily skin.

Best Sunscreens For Oily Faces in 2023

With all these things in mind let’s have a quick look at the top 10 best sunscreens for oily faces in 2023.

10. Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen with Cellular Response Technology SPF 50

Over the past few years, consumers’ interest in the ingredients used in cosmetics increased. This is one of the reasons why Supergoop! developed a sunscreen that contains no safe ingredients that are not carcinogenic, do not cause allergies and it is completely oil-free.

The sunscreen itself is fairly decent. It works with oily skin but only if a moderate amount is applied. It needs to be properly absorbed otherwise it will make the skin stick and it will only go away if it is washed off. It does have a bit of a greasy texture but not as regular oil-based sunscreens.

Looking at the ingredients the sunscreen contains a mix of fragrances that might seem unappealing for some. It does not lead to allergic reactions and it is completely non-toxic which goes as a major plus in our books.

9. Zealios Sun Barrier SPF 45 Sunscreen

Zealios Sun Barrier is a great sunscreen with SPF 45 which will work with oily skin. Its water-resistant formula and the lack of any kind of oil makes it quite pleasant to use. It works at the beach, when running, walking around the city and pretty much any other circumstance in which the skin is exposed to the bright summer Sun.

The sunscreen works decently with oily skin to a certain degree. If the skin is excessively oily it might not work that well unless the skin is properly cleaned and washed before applying the sunscreen.

In terms of ingredients the sunscreen uses 8% zinc oxide which should provide decent protection. It is non-comedogenic and protects against a broad spectrum. The sunscreen is absorbed quickly by the screen and it comes with a pleasant fragrance.

8. Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-free UV Protector SPF 42 Broad Spectrum

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Shiseido Urban Environment sunscreen is one of the few products in our list that was designed to be used on a daily basis. As the name states it is made of urban environment and has SPF 42 protection. It was made mostly for the face and it is oil free for a normal matte appearance.

The fact that the sunscreen uses an oil-free formula is a major plus. You cannot use an oil-based sunscreen on an oily face. It still offers excellent protection against the sun and against environmental aggressors. The product has been made for daily usage and might not work all that well at the beach for example.

Looking at the negative stuff, the fragrance of the sunscreen come to mind. It is not bad but it is just too intense. Outdoors it might fly-by without being annoying to the ones around but in an office environment it can be quite distruptive.

7. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Face Sunscreen for Oily Skin with SPF 60

Oily skin is a problem for many especially during the warm season. For this reason, it is nearly impossible to regular sunscreen. For this reason La Roche-Posay made a great sunscreen that is oil-free and was specifically developed for oily-skin. The SPF 60 protection is a bit on the extreme side but for what it was made it works quite well.

The sunscreen has a special formula that makes it work when used on a daily basis. One problem is the fact that it needs to be reapplied every two hours or so. It can be a bit inconvenient since the user will need to carry around the tube.

Despite being made for oily face and having an oil-free formula the sunscreen leaves a sticky feeling if too much is applied. It is better to experiment and use just a little in the beginning then add more if it is absorbed too fast.

6. Coppertone Oil Free Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30

Coppertone oil free sunscreen lotion is one of the better options for a day at the beach. It is a full-body lotion but it can be used on the face as well. The absence of oil in the formula makes it fast absorbing and it does not leave that typical shine on the skin.

5. EltaMD UV Pure Broad-Spectrum SPF 47 Oil Free

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EltaMD is one of the bigger brands in our list and their products surely stand out in terms of quality. The UV Pure broad-spectrum sunscreen was made to be used in almost any circumstance. It is water-resistant and works quite well on oily skin.

The fact that it is water resistant just for 80 minutes might seem like a turnoff. However, it is quite difficult to get better results with a sunscreen that does not contain any kind of oil. It works on the body and face and if not too much is applied, it will be absorbed quickly, leaving a matte skin.

What might seem like a turnoff for some is the fact that it does not last all that long when it comes to exposing it to water. The sunscreen is water-resistant only for the first 80 minutes. After that, it might need to be reapplied on the skin.

4. Sun Bum Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion

Sun Bum offers a great sunscreen lotion for a decent price tag. It is a great product that also acts as a moisturizer which protects the skin even better. The product is paraben-free, PBA-free and oil-free. According to the manufacturers the lotion has been tested and approved by The Skin Cancer Foundation.

For the price, the sunscreen is more than great. It does have a problem and that is the fragrance. To some it might be a bit too repulsive but only if used in enclosed spaces. For a day at the beach, it should be just fine and the fragrance might go unnoticed.

One of the more interesting pros of sunscreen is the fact that it does not contain any kind of toxic or non-natural ingredients. It is made mostly out of plant extracts and it is enriched with vitamin E which will help keep the skin moisturized properly. It does not leave a greasy sensation and it is water resistant.

3. Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture With Broad Spectrum SPF 35 Sunscreen

Neutrogena oil-free broad-spectrum sunscreen is one of the most popular products in our list. It is reasonably priced and works very well on oily skin. The formula used is not water resistant but it leaves a matte aspect and it is absorbed quite fast as long as not too much is used at once.

The fragrance is the biggest problem this sunscreen has. It smells synthetic, as if it is made only out of chemicals. Even if that is not the case, the fragrance is a bit unappealing but the protection if offers and the fact that it works with oily skin should compensate this problem.

What seems to work particularly well with this sunscreen is the fact that it is also a moisturizer. To get the best results it is important to have the skin properly cleaned and maybe remove the natural skin oil. Due to its concentrated formula, only a tiny amount of sunscreen needs to be used at once.

2. Neutrogena Age Shield Face Oil-Free Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 110

Neutrogena Age Shield oil-free sunscreen lotion is probably the most powerful product in our list. It has an SPF of 110 which recommends it even to the most sensitive skin. It protects against the sun and the signs of aging. According to the manufacturers the sunscreen needs to be used only on the face.

Not all sunscreens contain glycerin. The ones that do, have a slight oily sensation. The advantage is that glycerin is quickly absorbed by the skin. This is also the case with the Neutrogena Age Shield as it is absorbed quickly and it does not leave a greasy sensation.

The formula used works very well for regular activities. It will not be a great option for use at the beach for example but for any other activity in which there is exposure to the sun, it should work decently.

1. Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer With Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15

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Olay Complete sunscreen is probably the most versatile product on our list. The SPF 15 protection is quite low and might not work for example at the beach. However, it works decently for all casual activities, even at the office since it does not have a strong fragrance.

The fact that the sunscreen is fragrance-free is a major plus. A lot of people complain that they cannot use a particular sunscreen at the office for example because of the fragrance. This makes the sunscreen from Olay very versatile and suitable in almost any situation.

For the sunscreen, Olay used a special formula that keeps the skin moisturized while still being absorbed quickly. It is oil-free and PABA-free which recommends it even to the ones with sensitive skin. Last but not least the sunscreen provides protection for 8 hours which is quite respectable.

Things to Keep in Mind When Looking for a Sunscreen

A good sunscreen needs to have good ingredients that work. On this topic, there can be a big debate but what everyone knows is that ingredients should not be used in sunscreen. All the sunscreens in our list have safe ingredients and work quite well for oily skin but there are a few other things to be taken into account.

• For how long does the sunscreen offer protection? Some sunscreens work for just a couple of hours while others for almost an entire day. This can be important since not everyone is willing to carry a tube of sunscreen in their bag.
• Higher or lower SPF? The SPF rating indicates how well the sunscreen will block the Sun. Higher SPF will mean that it is harder to get a tan and should work better for anything else other than a day at the beach.
• With or without fragrance? For some reason, the fragrance-free sunscreens are a bit more expensive. In certain cases, it is better to go for a fragrance-free sunscreen but this is a matter of personal preference.