Best sunscreen for combination skin dermatologist recommended

The 29 Best Sunscreens to Protect Your Complexion All Year Long

These editor- and dermatologist-recommended formulas are lightweight, nourishing, cast-free, and provide abundant broad-spectrum UV protection — so your skin doesn't incur any damage that results from "too much fun in the sun."

Channing Smith / Allure

What's the biggest skin-care trick we have up our sleeves? The best sunscreens (formulated with SPF 30 or higher) we've incorporated into your routines, of course. We don't just write about wearing it; we actually wear it every single day. (Yes, even when it's raining cats and dogs or if we're spending the day cozied up inside.)

But don't simply take our word for it. Every dermatologist in the world will wax poetic about the importance of wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen daily to protect your skin from harmful, damage-causing UVA and UVB rays that result in long-lasting sun damage like sun spots, skin sagging, wrinkles, and so on. 

As a reminder in regards to efficacy, SPF 30 guards against 97 percent of UVB rays, and SPF 50 is about 98 percent, and so forth. (SPF 15 only protects against 93 percent, which is why most dermatologists — and the Allure team — recommend at least 30.) The evidence is crystal-clear so do yourself a favor, slather up, and consistently reapply facial sunscreen every few hours to prevent the aforementioned effects — which, at their worst, can culminate in a skin cancer diagnosis. 

Now that we've gotten the facts out of the way, we want to acknowledge that finding the right sunscreen for your skin tone and type can be tricky. Personal preferences also run the gamut — for example, mineral vs. chemical, tinted vs. not — but to help you out, we've rounded up some of our failsafe favorites, as recommended by Allure editors and board-certified dermatologists. These formulas glide on like a dream, never disrupt makeup, work well on all skin types, and most importantly, ensure you won't burn or incur UV-induced damage. 

Ahead, check out 29 of the best face sunscreens that have earned the approval of Allure editors and derms alike, and deserve a coveted spot in your skin-care routine.

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

• Coola Dew Good Illuminating Serum Probiotic Sunscreen

  Dewy is the name of the game when it comes to Coola's Dew Good Illuminating Serum Probiotic Sunscreen, which will you make your complexion look so hydrated and glowy that you'll forget all about your foundation. This SPF 30 goes on sheer and weightless, thanks to a trio of chemical filters to protect your skin. For added hydration, you get aloe and glycerin — making this formula a clear winner for our 2022 Best of Beauty Awards.

• Thank You Farmer Sun Project Light Sun Essence SPF 50

  Chemical sunscreens can be harsh on sensitive skin, which is where Thank You Farmer's Sun Project Light Sun Essence comes into play. This K-beauty pick is gloriously soothing all year round, notes Allure commerce editor Sarah Han, and that's courtesy of ingredients like aloe leaf extract, lotus flower water, and soybean lipids. The lightweight, cast-free formula also absorbs into skin without a damn trace. While your skin looks glowy post-application, it doesn't err into the territories of shiny or greasy. 

  That's not all; Thank You Farmer has won over experts as well. "The Sun Essence has a light, watery texture with a pearlescent finish that is ideal for normal to oily skin types," Eunice Park, MD, double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon and Founder of Airem Modern Beauty Rituals. "It's a favorite during the hot summer months."

• Melé No Shade Sunscreen Oil

  Kavita Mariwalla, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in West Islip, New York, is all about Melē's No Shade Sunscreen Oil, which picked up a Best of Beauty Award two years in a row (2021 and 2022). Melē, a skin-care brand formulated with the biology of melanin-rich skin in mind, has already won over Allure editors with its relatively affordable lineup of nourishing serums and creams, and this sunscreen oil is no different. Because it's a liquid, Mariwalla likes that you can easily mix it into any moisturizer of your choice. But even if you wear the sheer oil by itself as the last step of your morning routine, you'll find that it absorbs very quickly without any greasy residue.

• SkinCeuticals Daily Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 30

  Fan-favorite brand SkinCeuticals has added another SPF, the Daily Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 30, to its lineup of dermatologist-approved, award-winning products. This hydrating formula stars one percent tranexamic acid, a buzzy ingredient that helps inhibit UV-induced melanin synthesis and fades dark spots, and two percent niacinamide to even out your complexion. Additionally, a seven-percent concentration of ever-dependable glycerin attracts moisture, resulting in soft-as-heck skin.

• Supergoop Play 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 50 with Green Algae

  Supergoop has always been an Allure-favorite brand in the sun protection category, and the Play 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 50 with Green Alga is no exception. This lightweight formula absorbs into the skin in a pinch and doesn’t leave a white cast. No wonder it won a 2022 Allure Readers' Choice Award.

• Versed Guards Up Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 35

  New York City-based board-certified dermatologist David Kim suggests Versed's peach-tinted Guards Up Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 35, which blends into all skin tones seamlessly and evens out subtle instances of discoloration. He also notes that his male patients like this particular choice because it's "lightweight, doesn't feel greasy, and doesn't have a strong sunscreen scent." This zinc oxide formula is boosted by sea fennel and moringa seed extracts to soothe and moisturize skin.

• Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free Mineral Sunscreen SPF 42

  The last thing you need to worry about when it comes to wearing (and reapplying) sunscreen is the possibility of fresh breakouts forming. Consider an oil-absorbing formula like the Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free Mineral Sunscreen SPF 42. This all-physical SPF doubles as a face primer and minimizes shine all at once, but that doesn't mean it skimps out on moisture. (Because, yes, oily skin needs moisture to thrive. It's all about balance.) For that, hyaluronic acid and spirulina lend a radiant, soft-matte, but never greasy finish to your skin.

• SkinMedica Total Defense + Repair Broad Spectrum SPF 34

  $68 might seem like a lot to shell out for a sunscreen, but when Mona Gohara, MD, Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist, says it's one of her favorites, we reconsider. SkinMedica Total Defense + Repair SPF 34 is chock-full of vitamins C and E, which are powerful antioxidants that exist in so many of our most beloved products, as Dr. Gohara notes, and guards skin against UVA, UVB, and Infrared-A rays. Adding to the robust list of skin-nourishing ingredients are squalane, glycerin, and niacinamide to boost radiance and strengthen the barrier. 

• MDSolarSciences Gleam + Glow SPF 50

  MDSolarSciences Gleam + Glow SPF 50 imparts a subtle glow for those looking for a makeup-skin-care hybrid. Infused with three chemical UV filters (avobenzone, octocrylene, and octisalate), this slightly-tinted sunscreen is infused with five ceramides and allantoin to soothe the complexion while niacinamide keeps excess oil at bay.

  "I hate wearing foundation but I need a product that offers light coverage, and this sunscreen does exactly that," commerce writer Jen Hussein says of the SPF. "It's the perfect tint for my medium-neutral skin tone and has a subtle pearlescent finish that makes my skin look radiant." Hello, golden hour all day.

• Sun Bum Glow 30 Moisturizing Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 30

  Sun Bum's Glow 30 Moisturizing Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 30 is the rare exception to tinted sunscreens for beauty editor Alaina Demopoulos. "Lately, I've been preferring clear ones, because I'm over covering up, and the streaks that can come from it," she says. "But this Glow 30 Moisturizing Sunscreen Face Lotion applies super easily, which makes it a must for my beach tote." Furthermore, this formula is spiked with moisturizing glycerin and antioxidant-rich kakadu plum to boost the dewy effect.

• Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Primer SPF 50

  Allure social editor Bianca Richards refers to the Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Primer SPF 50, which is formulated with blurring polymers, as "the perfect daytime primer for all her glowy needs." This multitasking product essentially creates the ideal canvas for makeup, as it's also charged with peptides, camellia oil, and aloe vera to smooth the complexion. "Besides using it as a base for my glowy makeup routine, I use this SPF primer on days I go makeup-free and it leaves such a pretty dewy finish on my skin," Richard adds.

• EleVen By Venus Unrivaled Sun Serum

  It's not all about star power as far as the Venus Williams-backed EleVen By Venus Unrivaled Sun Serum is concerned. This zinc oxide-based serum won a 2020 Best of Beauty Award in the physical sunscreen category, after all. "It can be challenging to find a mineral sunscreen (much less one that is 25 percent zinc oxide) that is also sheer," Mamina Turegano, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New Orleans, points out. "This one is not only sheer on all skin types, but it can also make your skin look smooth [and leaves a] demi-matte, demi-glowy finish." 

  Adding to the list of accolades this lightweight SPF boasts are hydrating, stress-reducing ingredients like prickly pear stem extract and safflower oleosomes.

• EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

  If you're a devoted reader of allure.com, chances are you've seen a few mentions of EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 over the years. This lightweight, oil-free formula has been touted by a plethora of board-certified dermatologists for its pore-unclogging (by way of lactic acid), shine-minimizing, and of course, UV-guarding properties. 

  Remember: All skin types benefit from hydration, including oily skin types, so you'll be glad to know that this mattifying moisturizer and SPF is spiked with just the right amount of quick-absorbing sodium hyaluronate (a form of hyaluronic acid).

  We love EltaMD sunscreens so much that we added the EltaMD UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ to the 2022 Allure Beauty Box lineup. You can score the Allure Beauty Box here for access to even more editor favorites for just $23.

• Tower 28 SunnyDays Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen

  Not all tinted sunscreens are made equal. Trust us, we've tried them all. Not only is Tower 28 SunnyDays Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen the first-ever complexion product to earn the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance, but it's also (understandably) spiked with a lineup of skin-soothing ingredients, including reparative prickly pear, anti-inflammatory white sage, and soothing aloe. 

  This light-as-air formula melts into skin, giving it the perfect boost of non-greasy, light-to-medium coverage. In order to nail all 14 adaptable shades just right, Tower 28 partnered with Kirin Bhatty, a talented South Asian makeup artist who knows a thing or do about melanated skin.

• Kinship Self Reflect Probiotic Moisturizing Sunscreen Zinc Oxide SPF 32

  Kinship's Self Reflect Probiotic Moisturizing Sunscreen Zinc Oxide SPF 32 has quickly become an editor favorite, due to its — you guessed it — moisturizing properties. (We love an SPF that leaves our skin feeling extra soft.) This particular, peach-hued formula also includes antibacterical turmeric and plant-based probiotics derived from the fermentation process of lactobacillus.

  Associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen counts this mineral-based (made with zinc oxide) sunscreen among her recent favorites, thanks to the fact that it "quickly dries down sheer, leaving a dewy, almost glowy finish." Most of the Allure staff agrees since we named it a 2021 Best of Beauty Award winner.

  P.S. If you're looking for a water-resistant formula for outdoor activities, try Self Reflect Sport Sunscreen SPF 60, which beauty editor Alaina Demopoulos recommends.

• Murad Correct & Protect Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 45

  One swipe of Murad's Correct & Protect Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 45 and you won't be able to get enough of its satiny texture. This featherweight, sheer mineral sunscreen (16.7 percent zinc oxide, if you were wondering) boosts radiance and helps prevent future pigmentation — thanks to a team of antioxidant-rich jojoba, squalane, and tomato — while defending your complexion against harmful UV rays. The dropper application also makes it easier to control and dispense the ideal amount of the watery serum, and the formula dries down to an invisible finish on all skin tones.

• Cay Skin Isle Glow Face Moisturizer SPF 45

  It was love upon first swipe for Allure commerce editor Sarah Han when she got her hands on Cay Skin, Winnie Harlow's new sun-care brand. "Any sunscreen (with SPF 30 or higher) is arguably 'good' sunscreen but Isle Glow Face Moisturizer SPF 45 leaves a healthy sheen that simply can't go unpraised," she says. "It hydrates without attracting attention to oily areas, sinks in immediately, makes my skin look more awake, and doesn't pill underneath makeup."

  Isle Glow stands out due to its golden, pearlescent sheen that gives skin a subtle boost of vacation-like glow. In fact, this hydrating formula is spiked with plant-based nectar straight from the Caribbean, where Harlow's familial roots lie, as well as watermelon extract, sea moss, and cocoa seed butter, to keep skin feeling baby-soft through and through.

• La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Face Sunscreen SPF 50

  When multiple editors — of different ages and skin tones — all love the same sunscreen, you know it's good. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Face Sunscreen SPF 50 has a delightfully milky texture that dries to an almost powdery finish, perfect for when you want serious sun protection without looking (or feeling) like a greasy mess. Derms are also avid fans of this formula. 

  As Jenny Liu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, confirms, it's lightweight, fast-absorbing, and non-sticky. And there are both mineral (like the one showcased here) and chemical formulas to choose from.

• Burt's Bees Renewal Firming Day Lotion with SPF 30

  Dr. Turegano tells us that Burt's Bees Renewal Firming Day Lotion with SPF 30 is becoming a staple in her personal skin-care routine. And at just $15, it can easily be your new go-to SPF as well. This non-fussy, zinc oxide-based formula doesn't irritate sensitive skin and "contains a variety of botanicals [like safflower and jojoba seed oils, as well as bakuchiol, and hibiscus] to firm and smooth the skin while hydrating it," she notes.

• Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Matte

  Another Black- and brown-skin-friendly pick of Dr. Mariwalla's is Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Matte, the latest iteration of its best-selling, original Black Girl Sunscreen. She spotlights the formula's infusion of moisturizing ingredients such as aloe, squalene, shea butter, and coconut oil — which makes it glide onto skin like silk. 

  Allure's associate news editor Gabi Thorne also gives the gel-like formula a raving review, noting that the barely-there formula "feels glorious on the skin, like spreading the creamiest butter on a warm slice of toast." And, of course, there isn't any ghastly white cast or ashy tint to be found. It's no wonder this matte-finish formula won a 2021 Best of Beauty Award.

• Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen

  Biossance's Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen checks off all of the boxes for conscientious sun-care devotees. This reef-safe, vegan SPF is powered by zinc oxide to reflect UVA and UVB rays, while cooling water lily calms skin (especially if it's had a little too much fun in the sun), and the brand's signature sugarcane-derived squalane locks in moisture. "This is a wonderful sunscreen for those with sensitive skin who needs extra hydration," Dr. Mamina says, calling the sheer formula "a favorite for a number of years now."

• Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer SPF 30 

  Rihanna made it her personal mission to create a universal, no-cast SPF that fellow melanin-rich people would actually look forward to applying. Thus, the Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer SPF 30 was born. The pink-tinted formula blends in like a dream, adds a subtle glow, and employs a blend of avobenzone, homosalate, and octisalate to block the sun's rays. It's also spiked with hydrating hyaluronic acid and Kalahari melon for a burst of long-lasting moisture — because Rihanna has thought of everything. (And don't even think about questioning her on wearing SPF because she will clap back.) 

  Best of all, the inner vial is refillable, so all you have to do is buy a $30 refill (saving you $5 in the process), pop it right back in, and stay protected all year round. 

• CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30

  All it takes to instantly up your skin-care game is swapping out your basic day cream for CeraVe's no-frills AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion spiked with SPF 30. It's lightweight, smooth, features SPF 30, and never gets in the way of makeup — basically, it seriously pulls its weight in your skin-care routine. Not to mention, the oil-free formula is spiked with three types of ceramides to nourish and strengthen your barrier for overall healthier-looking skin.

• Sunday Riley Light Hearted Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen

  Wearing sunscreen shouldn't be complicated — or chalky. Sunday Riley gets it right with its pink-tinted formula that goes on sheer (our editors tested it on fair, olive, and deep skin tones). The brand's first sunscreen contains physical and chemical UV blockers (zinc oxide, octisalate, and octocrylene), along with anti-inflammatory turmeric extract and safflower seed oil, to soothe as it protects.

  We love Light Hearted Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen so much we added it to our 2021 Allure Beauty Box lineup. You can score the Allure Beauty Box here for access to even more editor favorites — for just $23. Check out beauty's top subscription box on TikTok at @allurebeautybox.

• Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

  It's no secret countless Allure editors have been singing the praises of Supergoop's Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 over the years. The biggest reason? The gel-like formula dries down matte and completely clear, and therefore pairs perfectly with all complexions (as any sunscreen should). The weightless, oil-free formula is also filled with skin-nourishing ingredients like hydrating meadowfoam seed oil and shea butter, so you won't even mind reapplying every few hours. 

  Chicago-based board-certified dermatologist Caroline Robinson, MD, previously recommended this broad-spectrum SPF. While she called out its rich, winter-friendly texture, the glycerin- and aloe-spiked lotion works great in warmer weather, too, as it's water-resistant for up to 40 minutes. As the UV-protected cherry on top, it's picked up not only one Best of Beauty Award but two Readers' Choice Awards in its lifetime — the most recent being 2021.

• Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+

  Dr. Mariwalla also puts her support behind Isdin's Eryfotona Actinica Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+, which contains photolyase enzymes. They "improve DNA damage after exposure to UV light," she tells us, adding that it's an excellent choice for everyone, but especially those who are treating substantially sun-damaged skin. This lightweight mineral formula also boasts vitamin E for antioxidant-powered protection and barrier strengthening. 

• Dr. Dennis Gross All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense SPF 30

  Dr. Dennis Gross's All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 is an excellent mineral SPF for sensitive skin since the zinc oxide formula is oil-free, fragrance-free, and reef-safe — which means it contains nanoparticles that are larger than 30 nanometers and therefore not absorbed through the skin. What it does leave behind is a dewy finish on all skin tones. Nourishing ingredients like sea buckthorn and lingonberry (a cranberry-like plant that thrives in extreme conditions like the Arctic tundra) further prevent UV and free radical damage, so you've basically covered all of your bases.

• RéVive Soleil Superiéur Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen PA++++

  Sunscreen can be luxurious, too. Case in point, RéVive's Soleil Superiéur Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen PA++++ feels more like a serum than it does an SPF. This lightweight, white-cast-free chemical formula (with avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene) provides impossibly comfortable UV protection — which is why it was a clear 2021 Best of Beauty Award winner. The transparent, barely-there fluid is also packed with glycerin and panthenol to soothe your skin and repair your barrier — making it a bonafide dream for people with dry skin in particular.

• Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

  In terms of drugstore formulas, Dr. Mariwalla has Neutrogena's Sheer Zinc Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 ranked high on her list. The oil-free, non-comedogenic (meaning it doesn't clog/block pores) formula features 100 percent zinc oxide and dries down to an invisible, matte, and non-greasy finish. Not to mention, it's water-resistant, so it's the perfect option for beach hangs, hikes, and so much more — time to stock up.

Sarah Han is the commerce editor at Allure. Previously, she served as an associate editor and staff writer at BuzzFeed, where she spearheaded coverage on K-pop and beauty. A native Illinoisan, upon graduating from the University of Chicago with a degree in International Studies and minor in Creative Writing,... Read more