Best Overall

EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

$45

$43 at AmazonView on Dermstore$45 at Target

Type: Chemical/mineral | Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, octinoxate, lactic acid | SPF: 46 | Size: 1.7 oz | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This sunscreen hits all the marks—it’s clear (no white cast), layers well with makeup, is lightweight, and leaves a glowy finish behind. It’s made with zinc oxide to provide broad-spectrum protection, and its gentle, fragrance-free formula is hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin. It also contains niacinamide to help brighten the skin.

It’s an excellent sunscreen for acne-prone skin because it’s noncomedogenic, free of oils and parabens, and leaves behind a glowy finish that we love. Just be sure to rub it in and let it fully absorb before applying makeup to prevent it from pilling.

Best Overall, Runner-Up

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

$38

$35 at Amazon$48 at Sephora$38 at Ulta

Type: Chemical | Key Ingredients: Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene | SPF: 40 | Size: 1.7 oz | Water-Resistant: 40 minutes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Thanks to its noncomedogenic formula, we love this lightweight, smooth, gentle sunscreen. It’s suitable for any skin type, but especially acne-prone skin. When applied, it sits on top of the skin like a barrier but spreads easily without any streaking. While it does leave a very slight, subtle film, it still goes on clear and serves as an excellent makeup primer.

The sunscreen is on the pricier end, considering the size of the container. However, the standard-sized tube will last decently well. Plus, while we think this is a great product to use all the time, it’s especially great for those who exercise or swim frequently because it’s sweat and water-resistant for up to 40 minutes.

Best Budget

CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

$15

$14 at AmazonView on Ulta$16 at Dermstore

Type: Mineral | Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide | SPF: 50 | Size: 2.5 oz | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: No

There’s so much to appreciate about this CeraVe sunscreen, especially its affordability and accessibility. At under $20 for 2.5 ounces, it’s one of the most budget-friendly options. Despite its affordability, it’s a high-quality product safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin (the National Eczema Association even recommends it).

This sunscreen offers SPF 50 mineral protection and is formulated with ceramides to help restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier, niacinamide to help calm the skin, and hyaluronic acid to help retain moisture. It has a creamy, smooth texture that we love, but it can leave a white cast behind if it’s not thoroughly rubbed in (CeraVe recommends applying in light layers to avoid this), and we found that it takes around three minutes to absorb fully.

Best for Dark Skin Tones

Black Girl Sunscreen

$31 at Amazon$16 at TargetView on Publiclands.com

Type: Chemical | Key Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | SPF: 30 | Size: 2 oz | Water-Resistant: Up to 80 minutes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Black Girl Sunscreen is our top pick for dark skin tones. It offers a zinc-free formula that’s sheer and lightweight and doesn’t leave even a trace of white cast behind. It also has a mousse-like texture, and we particularly love how it applies smoothly and practically melts into the skin while absorbing within seconds.

This sunscreen serves as an excellent makeup primer that layers well with products. It’s also a solid choice for a standalone facial lotion because it’s packed with moisturizing ingredients like jojoba, cacao, and avocado. We also appreciate that a little goes a long way—a teaspoon-size amount of cream is enough to cover the whole face and neck. Finally, not only does it moisturize and protect the skin, but it also leaves a glowy finish behind that is absolutely stunning. Just note it might feel a bit greasy for those with super oily skin.

Shannon Stubbs, writer with dry skin: “It’s easy to apply, leaves a clear but glowy finish, and adds hydration without feeling heavy.”

Best Lightweight

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++

View on Yesstyle.comView on Stylevana.comView on Beautytheshop.com

Type: Physical | Key Ingredients: Rice extract, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate | SPF: 50+ | Size: 1.7 oz | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re looking for an ultralightweight sunscreen, this is for you. It’s a chemical sunblock formulated with rice extract and grain-fermented extracts, which nourish the skin and deliver serious hydration, and niacinamide, which leaves skin with a subtle glow. We appreciate how the product glides onto the skin and doesn’t look cakey or settle into fine lines once fully absorbed.

This sunscreen is made with organic ingredients and is free of oxybenzone, octinoxate, and animal-derived ingredients. It’s also suitable for sensitive skin and blends well with makeup (as long as you give it enough time to absorb fully).

Jasmine, tester with normal skin: “Upon application, this sunscreen blends into my skin seamlessly with no white cast in sight. It would definitely work for all skin types—it is lightweight and doesn’t feel heavy or greasy while still providing moisture.”

Best Mineral-Based

Summer Fridays ShadeDrops

$36

$33 at Amazon$36 at SephoraView on Summerfridays.com

Type: Mineral | Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, squalane, and an antioxidant complex | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.7 oz | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Our favorite mineral-based sunscreen is this one from Summer Fridays. Its milky texture glides onto the skin practically effortlessly and doesn’t leave any white cast behind—a major feat for a physical formula. We love how lightweight it feels and how quickly it absorbs.

This sunscreen is formulated with moisture-rich squalane, vitamin E, and bisabolol to help protect the skin from damage. It’s suitable for most skin types but has a slight chamomile scent, which may not be ideal for those sensitive to fragrance. Finally, it serves as an excellent base for makeup, but just be sure to thoroughly blend it in before it dries to ensure an even layer of protection.

Best Multitasking

Iris & Romeo Weekend Skin SPF 50 + Vitamin C + Glow

$70

$67 at Amazon$50 at SephoraView on Irisandromeo.com

Type: Mineral sunscreen | Key Ingredients: Zinc, vitamin C, and niacinamide | SPF: 50+ | Size: 1.18 oz | Water-Resistant: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

In addition to protecting your skin from the sun, this product also hydrates, brightens, reduces the appearance of dark spots, and leaves skin with a radiant glow. We like the addition of vitamin C in the formula, which helps firm the skin and diminishes the appearance of dark spots, as well as niacinamide, which helps even skin tone and improve texture.

This sunscreen feels and looks amazing on the skin. It absorbs quickly without leaving a white cast or any greasy or oily residue behind, and it is water-resistant. It’s important to note that this product does have a slight tint, which is available in three shades.

Best for Sensitive Skin

Tower 28 SOS FaceGuard SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen

$32 at Sephora

$32

$18 at Kohls.com$32 at Revolve

Type: Mineral | Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, ceramides, allantoin | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.69 oz | Water-Resistant: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Sensitive, acne-prone skin should reach for a mineral based sunscreen—they are usually less irritating and often come with soothing ingredients. This one from Tower 28 is one of our favorites, as it has ceramides and allantoin to support the skin barrier and calm redness and irritation. The lightweight formula blends out clear, leaving a nongreasy finish on the complexion. Its hydrating without feeling heavy, so it also makes a great daytime moisturizer for acne-prone skin types. There’s no pilling whatsoever when layered with other skincare and makeup, and it leaves the skin soft to the touch.

Shannon Stubbs, writer: “This SPF has a smooth, light texture. I love that its lightweight, and it also makes my skin feel very hydrated.”

Best Hydrating

Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen

$18

$18 at Amazon$18 at SephoraView on Innisfree.com

Type: Chemical | Key Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, green tea, cica | SPF: 36 | Size: 1.69 oz | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re looking for deep hydration without causing irritation or breakouts, this sunscreen from Innisfree is your best bet. With a rich but lightweight texture, it absorbs into the skin instantly, leaving a glowy finish that doesn’t become greasy. The formula is made with soothing, hydrating ingredients to keep the complexion balanced, including green tea, cica, and sunflower seed oil. It doesn’t leave a white cast, so it’s the perfect choice for all skin tones.

Austen, tester with normal skin: “I would recommend this to anyone who needs a lightweight daily sunscreen, especially for the beach or no-makeup days.”