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You probably have heard or seen skincare experts emphasizing the importance of applying sunscreen daily. Sunscreen prevents your skin from getting damaged from sunburn. If you stay for long hours in the sun and don’t apply sunscreen, then you have been doing a great injustice to your skin. Facial sunscreens also have anti-aging properties, meaning your skin won’t get wrinkles as quickly as it would get for a person who doesn’t use sunblock. If you have been neglecting your skincare routine but want to kickstart it now, then we’ve got you covered. We have formed a list of the top facial sunscreens in 2024 to make this purchase effortless for you.
We have also created a buyer’s guide to help you with everything that you need to know about buying a facial sunscreen.
Detailing the Top Facial Sunscreens of 2024
CeraVe Sunscreen — Best Overall
Key Features
- It keeps the skin hydrated all day long
- The sunscreen contains three essential ceramides that restore the skin’s natural glow
- It suits all types of skin
- This sunscreen is smell and oil-free
This facial sunscreen consists of micro-fine zinc oxide, which protects the skin from UV rays. This is not just a sunscreen, though; it is also a moisturizer, meaning you don’t have to apply moisturizer separately with this sunscreen.
This sunscreen is absorbed quickly and doesn’t take hours to dry up. But, this sunscreen's most admirable feature is that it contains hyaluronic acid, which is known for its skin-plumping effects. If you feel that your skin is getting fine lines or wrinkles, buying this sunscreen will diminish the presence of those unwanted features.
Sdara Sunscreen — Most Natural
Key Features
- Safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Smooth and light consistency with a pleasant scent
- Long-lasting, and a little goes a long way
- Made in the USA with natural ingredients
The Sdara Sunscreen is an impressive product that leaves users feeling confident and safe in the sun. This sunscreen provides reliable, broad-spectrum protection with its natural zinc oxide and titanium dioxide formula, which is paraben- and fragrance-free.
In addition to providing a high level of SPF 30 protection, the Sdara sunblock is perfect for those with sensitive skin due to its combination of natural ingredients such as aloe vera, green tea extract, sweet almond oil, and cocoa butter. Moreover, this sunscreen also stands out for being environmentally friendly, as it is certified Reef Friendly, so users can go to the beach without contributing to the release of toxic chemicals into our coral reefs.
COOLA Sunscreen — Best for All Skin Types
Key Features
- Free of fragrance and oil
- Safe for vegans, cruelty-free testing
- Free of gluten and paraben
- Active ingredients include 15% non-nano Zinc Oxide
Get full spectrum, 360-degree sunscreen protection with Coola organic sunscreen cream. It offers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, diminishing the harmful effects of IR, HEV light (blue light), and environmental pollution. The addition of niacinamide and plant stem cells in this sunscreen and face moisturizer gives you youthful and glowy skin, retaining your youthfulness.
The texture of this sunscreencrème is lightweight and airy, so you don’t feel you’ve put too much on your face. You can easily wear it before applying makeup and it will give you a transparent veil of protection that will keep your skin smooth and supple.
EltaMD Sunscreen — Best for Sensitive Skin
Key Features
- People having sensitive skin can benefit from this sunscreen
- It calms and protects the skin at the same time
- It has a broad spectrum of SPF46
- The sunblock also reduces the appearance of dark spots and wrinkles
This is an oil-free facial sunscreen that helps protect the skin from UV rays. A vast majority of dermatologists recommend it to people who have sensitive or acne-prone skin, which means that this sunscreen is best suited for people with sensitive skin. It also helps in reducing the discoloration present on the face, a welcome bonus.
It's formulated with zinc oxide, which is recognized for forming a protective barrier between the skin and the sun, meaning UV rays can’t penetrate your skin. We recommend reapplying regularly to get the best results.
Sun Bum Sunscreen — Most Lightweight Formula
Key Features
- It moisturizes the skin to a great extent.
- The sunscreen is hypoallergenic and paraben-free
- The sunblock is perfect to be applied before heading towards a beach
- It suits all types of skin
- Cruelty-free
The sunscreen consists of SPF 50 protection that helps prevent your skin from burning. The sunblock is non-comedogenic, so it won't open your pores, which means no outbreaks. It is also packed with vitamin E, which moisturizes the skin and helps in minimizing the appearance of scars and wrinkles.
Furthermore, it is water-resistant and perfect for all types of skin. But, you should apply it 15 minutes before getting exposed to the sun and 80 minutes before swimming if you want maximum protection.
Hawaiian Topic Sunscreen — Best for Darker Skin Tones
Key Features
- It barely feels like you have applied anything, as it is extremely lightweight
- The sunscreen makes the skin hydrated and smooth
- It also minimizes the acne present on the face
- It is made with a blend of coconut, argan, grapeseed, and olive oils
This sunscreen gives an SPF 30 coverage against UVA and UVB rays. It makes your skin look flawless, while also providing maximum protection. It has a silk hydration system, making the skin look silky and soft all day long.
The lightweight texture makes the skin feel breathable and won’t weigh your face down like other sunscreens. You should apply this product every time you leave your house for the best results and protection possible. It has an attractive coconut fragrance that appeals to people, but if you don’t like that smell, we suggest looking at another option on our list.
Neutrogena Sunscreen — Great for Oily Skin
Key Features
- It helps the skin to remain clean and clear
- The sunscreen is fragrance and oil-free
- It is water-resistant for almost 80 minutes
- It prevents the skin from sunburn and breakouts
This sunscreen comes in a 3-fluid ounce bottle that can be applied on the face as well as the body. It has a broad spectrum of SPF 55, meaning it protects your skin well. It has lightweight and water-like consistency, which makes it easy to use and great for those with acne-prone skin.
What’s more, this sunblock is oil-free and non-comedogenic, which will ensure that your pores remain closed and your skin doesn’t break out. The sunscreen provides a matte finish to the skin and prevents the face from getting sweaty or oily.
How to Find the Right Facial Sunscreen: A Buyer's Guide
Applying sunscreen is a must-do skincare step that should never be skipped. Sunscreen protects the skin in not just one but many ways. People who have to work for long hours in the sun can get severe sunburns if they don’t use sunblock.
There are many things to take into consideration when purchasing a facial sunscreen. Check out our buyer’s guide for all the need-to-know information.
What Are the Key Considerations When Buying a Leading Facial Sunscreens?
Amount of product
The amount of product present in a tube should be taken into consideration. You should aim to buy a tube or bottle that has a large amount of product, as this would reduce your headache of having to buy the same thing over and over again.
Timing
The timing here means the time that sunblock protects your face against the sun. Some sunblocks protect for 2 hours, while others provide complete protection for 16-20 hours.
Go for one that has longer-lasting sun protection.
Price
The price of sunscreen should also be considered before selecting one. You need to buy a highly affordable one. Most sunscreens are not overly priced, and you get a lot of options in the affordable range. Just make sure you don’t sacrifice quality for price.
Lightweight
Your sunscreen should be extremely lightweight. Really, it should feel like you have not applied anything over your face. If it has a thick consistency, then it will become difficult for you to blend it into your skin.
Which Features You Should Look For in Facial Sunscreens
Spectrum
The spectrum of sunscreen should be broad. Some sunscreens are SPF30, while some are SPF60. The higher the number, the more it will prevent your skin from getting affected by the sun. This is the essential function of sunscreen, and you can never compromise on this feature.
Hydration
Hydration is also an essential aspect of this purchase. The sunscreen should have the capabilities of a moisturizer as well. The ones that are a combination of both sunscreen and moisturizer are best, as they hydrate the skin while simultaneously protecting it.
A perfect sunscreen would be the one with hyaluronic acid in it. Hyaluronic acid plumps up the skin and also reduces fine lines, stopping the signs of aging. If you have any of these issues, then buying sunscreen that has hyaluronic acid is a must.
Skin type
Different types of sunscreens suit different skin types. For example, some sunblocks are specifically formulated for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Moreover, there are types of sunscreens that are best suited for all types of skin. If you have oily or combination skin, then go for this type. Always read the full description and check which skin type a specific sunscreen suits and then go with that.
Non-oily
The sunscreen should be non-oily. The ones that contain oil can damage the skin by opening the pores, which can cause breakouts. If you have dry skin, then you can go for the sunscreens that contain oil. But if you have oily or sensitive skin, we recommend avoiding these oil-based sunscreens.
Fragrance-free
The sunscreen should be scent-free. There are lots of sunscreens that don’t have any smell, which we recommend buying instead of the ones that have a smell.
The sunblock will be of no use to you if you buy it and then don’t like its scent. If you want to be sure about liking your purchase, play it safe and go for a smell-free one.
What Are the Benefits of Facial Sunscreens?
Prevents sunburn
Facial sunscreens prevent sunburn. When skin is regularly exposed to the sun, there is a high chance that your skin will get affected negatively. If you’re out in the sun for too long, you can develop a severe sunburn that can be extremely painful.
Minimizes breakouts
Make sure your sunscreen has high-quality ingredients, as you don’t want to end up with an acne breakout. There have even been instances where people who have severe acne have found that sunscreen makes their acne better.
Minimizes wrinkles and discoloration
Sunscreen also helps fight the signs of aging, minimizing the appearance of dark spots or discoloration. Furthermore, it also minimizes fine lines and wrinkles.
Improves glow
The constant use of facial sunscreen does improve the natural glow of your face. When the skin is being protected from harsh rays of the sun, your natural glow gets restored, making your skin look shiny.
What Is the Typical Price of Facial Sunscreens?
The price of facial sunscreens ranges from $4-$135. Lower SPF sunscreens will not cost you that much. On the other hand, sunscreens with higher SPFs do cost more. Other factors that influence the price include the amount of sunscreen you get, its consistency, smell, and other such properties.
