9 Best Face Sunscreens 2026 for Healthy, Protected Skin

New launches come and go, but our favorite SPFs are here to stay. Hands down, the most important product for healthier, clearer, and more radiant skin is one of the best face sunscreens, which you must wear every day, rain or shine. Despite limited sunscreen innovations in the US, we promise you there’s a lightweight, comfortable-to-wear, pilling-free, and cast-free (for chemical sunscreens, specifically) formula on the market that you’ll actually enjoy slathering on. And, of course, they all have broad-spectrum protection of SPF 30 or higher, as per dermatologist guidelines.
In true Allure fashion, we’re spilling everything you need to know about our team’s favorite face sunscreens—many backed by board-certified dermatologists, to boot. These formulas glide on like a dream, never disrupt makeup, and above all else, help prevent sunburns, hyperpigmentation, and skin cancer with proper usage.
Our Top Face Sunscreens

Best Mineral Overall: Alastin Skincare HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen SPF 36, $84
Best Chemical Overall: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVDefense SPF 50 Sunscreen with BEMT, $40
Best Lightweight: Colorescience Total Protection No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50, $48
Best Under Makeup: Peach & Lily Beam Blocker Invisible Sunscreen SPF 30, $34
Best for Dry Skin: Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50, $64

Best Mineral Overall: Alastin Skincare HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen SPF 36
Why it’s worth it: Originally designed for patients fresh off lasers, peels, or injectables, Alastin Skincare’s HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen SPF 36 had to meet a few non-negotiables: be non-irritating, deeply hydrating, and—crucially—elegant enough that people would actually want to wear it every day. Check, check, and check. The formula relies on zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for broad-spectrum protection, while ectoin helps strengthen the skin barrier, retain hydration, and defend against environmental stress. “The tint blends easily for most skin tones, and you can even use it in lieu of foundation,” says May Hall, DO, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Asheville, North Carolina. (If you’re very fair, you might notice a slightly warm undertone.) It’s the kind of sunscreen you end up squeezing every last drop out of—post-procedure or not.
Best Chemical Overall: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVDefense SPF 50 Sunscreen with BEMT
Why it’s worth it: A new sunscreen filter getting FDA approval is apparently a once-every-few-decades kind of event, so naturally, it’s a big deal. La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios UVDefense SPF 50 Sunscreen is among the first to contain 2% bemotrizinol (BEMT), which protects against both UVA and UVB rays and stays stable in sunlight, so it doesn’t break down when exposed to the sun. The formula also contains antioxidants to help protect against skin-damaging free radicals, plus glycerin, butylene glycol, and dimethicone to keep skin moisturized and feeling smooth.
Of course, even the most impressive sunscreen formula won’t do you much good if you don’t actually want to wear it. Luckily, this one feels just as great as it sounds. “It’s silky on the skin with no white residue,” Jane Yoo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously told Allure. And even those with sensitive skin may get along with this formula. “BEMT is a partial exception for those with sensitive skin because it is a huge molecule and it sits on the skin so there is minimal absorption,” says Dr. Yoo, who adds that the filter is considered safe for children ages six months and older.
Best Lightweight: Colorescience Total Protection No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Why it’s worth it: Tinted sunscreens have their perks, especially when it comes to disguising that chalky residue zinc oxide can leave behind. But what if you don’t want the extra color or have trouble finding a shade that matches your skin? Colorescience’s Total Protection No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 skips the pigment altogether—yet “it goes on sheer with zero white cast,” says Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. The formula also contains bisabolol and allantoin to soothe skin, plus antioxidants like sunflower sprout extract to help protect against environmental damage. And no matter your skin type, you’ll appreciate the lightweight texture. “It feels like a silky moisturizer rather than a heavy zinc paste,” she says.
Best for Oily Skin: Ultra Violette Unblock Screen SPF 50
Why it’s worth it: Ultra Violette was the first brand to bring bemotrizinol (BEMT) to a U.S. sunscreen, but that’s not the only reason its Unblock Screen SPF 50 deserves attention—especially if you have oily skin. The formula pairs chemical filters BEMT and octocrylene with mineral zinc oxide, combining different types of UV filters for broad-spectrum protection without relying solely on zinc oxide, which can feel thick and leave a white cast.
Plus, it has a sheer tint to help minimize any chalky residue. It also contains “skin-care ingredients for oily, acne-prone and reactive skin,” says Dr. Yoo. These include Bix’Activ, an ingredient derived from annatto seeds, which helps control oil and make pores look less noticeable, while silica absorbs excess sebum for a soft-matte finish. And because oily skin still needs moisture, Pentavitin (a sugar-derived hydrating ingredient) keeps skin comfortable without adding a greasy feel.
Best for Dry Skin: Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50
Why it’s worth it: Dry, flaky patches and chalky, matte sunscreen? Not exactly a match made in heaven. Tatcha’s The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50 gives skin a little extra glow while keeping it moisturized, which a lightweight, liquid formula that uses 10% zinc oxide for mineral sun protection, plus hyaluronic acid to draw in moisture, squalane to soften skin, and niacinamide to even out skin tone. And true to its name, it contains silk extract, which helps give the sunscreen its smooth, almost primer-like feel. “Silk extract adds to a smooth, primer-like feel that makes dry skin look healthier and sits well under makeup,” says Dr. Yoo. It also has a sheer tint and radiant finish, making it a good option for days when you want to skip foundation. “I love to use this as my tinted makeup and just fly out the door in the mornings,” she says.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Shiseido Urban Environment Mineral Clear Sunscreen SPF 50
Why it’s worth it: If chemical sunscreens tend to irritate your skin, Shiseido’s Urban Environment Mineral Clear Sunscreen SPF 50 might be a better match. It relies on two mineral filters, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, for sun protection, but without the chalky finish you might expect. It also requires less rubbing and blending, which is always a plus when your skin is easily irritated: “It goes on sheer and blends to a clear finish,” says Dr. Yoo. The 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner also contains hyaluronic acid and glycerin to keep skin hydrated, plus vitamin E and ginkgo leaf extract to help protect against environmental damage. If redness is another concern, it includes dipotassium glycyrrhizate, a licorice-derived ingredient that calms irritation.
Best Under Makeup: Peach & Lily Beam Blocker Invisible Sunscreen
Why it’s worth it: Peach & Lily’s Beam Blocker Invisible Sunscreen is a fully chemical formula, so it goes on completely clear, but what sets it apart is how treatment-forward it is. You’re not just getting UV protection; you’re getting a full-on skin-care layer, with niacinamide to brighten, ceramides and panthenol to support the barrier, and a mix of hyaluronic acid forms to keep skin hydrated and bouncy. The Best of Beauty-winning formula doesn’t stop there: Ectoin supports environmental stress, bisabolol and Centella asiatica calm, and antioxidants like green tea and ferulic acid help defend against daily damage. Unlike some invisible sunscreens that start to pill the second you layer makeup on top, this one leaves a smooth, hydrated base—prepping skin like a primer while still feeling breathable and never greasy.
Best for Dull Skin: Isdin Fusion Water Magic SPF 40
Why it’s worth it: No, it’s not just water, but we are convinced there is a little bit of magic to Isdin’s Fusion Water Magic SPF 40. If your skin’s been looking a little lackluster, this is one of those sunscreens that does more than just protect—it subtly perks things up. The fully chemical formula has that lightweight, quick-absorbing texture the brand is known for, with zero heavy or chalky film. It delivers hydration and radiance with glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to keep skin plump and fresh, plus antioxidants like vitamin E and microalgae extract to fend off the environmental stressors that can leave skin looking tired. Silica softly blurs without flattening your glow, so the finish feels hydrated, subtly luminous, and just a little more awake than when you started.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: EltaMD UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50
Why it’s worth it: If you already love the EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Broad-Spectrum SPF 50, but wish it were a little more dialed in for acne-prone or oily skin, the brand’s 2026 Best of Beauty Award-winning UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50 is where things get interesting. It builds on the original UV Clear legacy—long considered a go-to for sensitive, breakout-prone skin—but takes it a step further. The formula pairs 11% zinc oxide with 5% niacinamide to help calm inflammation, even tone, and keep excess oil in check, while the brand’s proprietary ZincAOXPro Technology adds a layer of antioxidant defense against UV rays, blue light, pollution, and smog. You still get that lightweight, non-greasy texture the brand is known for, but with added benefits for congestion, shine, and post-breakout redness.

Find more Allure editor-approved sunscreens:

7 Best Korean Sunscreens to Complete Your Glass Skin Routine
9 Actually Invisible Mineral Sunscreens? Go On…
9 Best Chemical Sunscreens That Are Actually Enjoyable to Reapply

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