Many people with oily skin find it difficult to find a suitable sunscreen, but there are some great options on the market – including many you can find at your local drugstore. Here is our guide to the best drugstore sunscreens for oily skin.
Our Recommendations
1. Clear Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+
Paula's Choice Sunscreen for Daily Sun Protection and Moisturization
Paula’s Choice Clear Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+
This lightweight SPF 30 moisturizer leaves a matte finish and doesn’t clog pores, making it one of the best Paula’s Choice sunscreens for normal to oily and acne-prone skin.
Many people with oily or acne-prone skin worry about using sunscreens, because they often feel thick and greasy. However, this SPF moisturizer is an excellent choice for these skin types, because it protects the skin but doesn’t feel greasy or clog pores. It also contains antioxidants and hydrators that calm the skin.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Lightweight
- Matte finish
Cons
- Contains chemical sunscreen, which may irritate sensitive skin
- Not water-resistant
This lightweight SPF moisturizer contains antioxidants and replenishing ingredients that calm and hydrate the skin without contributing to shine, including vitamin E, grape seed extract, green tea, and oat extract.
Avobenzone 2.0%, Octinoxate 7.50%, Octisalate 5.0%, Octocrylene 2.0% (sunscreen actives), Water (Aqua), Glycerin (hydration/skin-replenishing), Silica (absorbent), Dimethicone (hydration/texture enhancer), Benzyl Alcohol (preservative), Tocopherol (vitamin E/antioxidant), Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract (antioxidant), Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract (antioxidant), Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract (antioxidant), Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea) Leaf Extract (antioxidant), Peucedanum Graveolens (Dill) Extract (antioxidant), Sambucus Nigra (Black Elderberry) Fruit Extract (antioxidant), Avena Sativa (Oat) Bran Extract (skin-soothing), Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract (antioxidant), Lycium Barbarum (Goji) Fruit Extract (antioxidant), Hydrogenated Lecithin (skin-restoring), Titanium Dioxide (texture enhancer), Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer (hydration), Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate (hydration), Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer (film-forming/suspending agent), Xanthan Gum (texture enhancer), Sodium Carbomer (texture enhancer), Benzyl Alcohol (preservative), Sodium Benzoate (stabilizer), Potassium Sorbate (preservative), Phenoxyethanol (preservative).
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American Academy of Dermatology. "Is Sunscreen Safe?"
Accessed Aug. 2, 2021.
2. Anthelios Cooling Water Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
La Roche-Posay Sunscreen for Daily Sun Protection
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Cooling Water Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
This face and body chemical sunscreen has an immediate cooling effect, and absorbs into the skin quickly. It also contains antioxidants that further protects the skin.
This is one of the best La Roche-Posay sunscreens if you want just one product for both your face and body. It has a water-like lotion texture that doesn’t feel too greasy, and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. This makes it a great option for when you’re swimming or doing more physically demanding activities.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Oil-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Dermatologist tested
- Water resistant (up to 80 minutes)
Cons
- Contains chemical sunscreen, which may irritate sensitive skin
This sunscreen contains senna alata, which provides antioxidant protection, defending against free radicals that can accelerate the development of signs of aging. If you need higher SPF, there is also an SPF 60 version available.
Avobenzone 2.24% (Sunscreen), Homosalate 8% (Sunscreen), Octisalate 2.4% (Sunscreen), Octocrylene 4.48% (Sunscreen), Oxybenzone 2.88% (Sunscreen), Water, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Proprylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Silica, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Menthyl Lactate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin.
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American Academy of Dermatology. "Is Sunscreen Safe?"
Accessed Aug. 23, 2021.
3. Clear Skin Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 60
La Roche-Posay Sunscreen for Daily Sun Protection
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 60
This oil-free sunscreen is perfect for acne-prone and oily skin, because it provides protection from UVA and UVB rays without clogging pores or contributing to shine.
This SPF 60 sunscreen was made with acne-prone and oily skin in mind. It contains powerful UVA/UVB filters that effectively protect the skin, as well as a perlite and silica complex, which helps absorb excess oil to cut down on shine and prevent pores from clogging.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Oil-free
- Dermatologist tested
- Non-comedogenic
- Water resistant (up to 80 minutes)
Cons
- Contains chemical sunscreen, which may irritate sensitive skin
This sunscreen also contains senna alata, a tropical leaf extract that provides antioxidant protection, defending against free radicals that can accelerate the development of signs of aging.
Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 15%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, water, silica, dicaprylyl carbonate, styrene/acrylates copolymer, butyloctyl salicylate, methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, nylon-12, PEG-100 stearate, glyceryl stearate, perlite, beeswax, ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, phenoxyethanol, PEG-8 laurate, behenyl alcohol, sodium stearoyl glutamate, chlorphenesin, p-anisic acid, xanthan gum, tocopherol, disodium EDTA, arachidyl alcohol, diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate, propylene glycol, cassia alata leaf extract, maltodextrin, stearyl alcohol, t-butyl alcohol, caprylic/capric triglyceride
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American Academy of Dermatology. "Is Sunscreen Safe?"
Accessed Aug. 23, 2021.
4. Resist Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50
Paula's Choice Sunscreen for Daily Sun Protection
Paula’s Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50
If you need a higher SPF, this is a great daily sunscreen. This chemical sunscreen has a lightweight formula, and contains additional ingredients that soothe and protect the skin.
This satin-matte finish sunscreen is excellent for daily use. The chemical sunscreen ingredients (avobenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, and octocrylene) protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays, while the antioxidants further protect from environmental aggressors that can cause premature aging.
Pros
- Satin-matte finish
- Lightweight
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Not water-resistant
- Contains chemical sunscreen, which may irritate sensitive skin
In addition to the sunscreen ingredients and antioxidants, this product contains oat extract and green tea extract, which soothe the skin and calm redness. It’s important to note that this sunscreen is not water-resistant, which means it shouldn’t be used for swimming or sports.
Avobenzone 2.0%, Octinoxate 7.50%, Octisalate 5.0%, Octocrylene 2.0% (sunscreen actives), Water (Aqua), Glycerin (hydration/skin-replenishing), Silica (absorbent), Dimethicone (hydration/texture enhancer), Tocopherol (vitamin E/antioxidant), Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract (antioxidant), Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract (antioxidant), Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract (antioxidant), Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea) Leaf Extract (antioxidant), Peucedanum Graveolens (Dill) Extract (antioxidant), Sambucus Nigra (Black Elderberry) Fruit Extract (antioxidant), Avena Sativa (Oat) Bran Extract (skin-soothing), Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract (antioxidant), Lycium Barbarum (Goji) Fruit Extract (antioxidant), Hydrogenated Lecithin (skin-restoring), Titanium Dioxide (texture-enhancing), Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer (hydration), Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate (hydration/antioxidant), Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer (film-forming/suspending agent), Xanthan Gum (texture enhancer), Sodium Carbomer (texture enhancer), Benzyl Alcohol (preservative), Sodium Benzoate (stabilizer), Potassium Sorbate (preservative), Phenoxyethanol (preservative).
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American Academy of Dermatology. "Is Sunscreen Safe?"
Accessed Aug. 4, 2021.
5. Resist Super Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30
Paula's Choice Sunscreen for Daily Sun Protection
Paula’s Choice Resist Super Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30
This lightweight, lightly-tinted product is one of the overall best Paula’s Choice sunscreens. It contains mineral sunscreen filters that protect the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, as well as calming ingredients and protective antioxidants.
This lightweight SPF 30 sunscreen has a matte finish and is great for daily use. It contains mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide), which is particularly beneficial for sensitive skin, since mineral sunscreens are less likely to irritate the skin compared to chemical sunscreens.
Pros
- Matte finish
- Lightweight
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- May leave a white cast on darker skin tones
- Not water-resistant
This sunscreen contains bisabolol and willow bark extract, which calm the skin and alleviate redness. It also contains a blend of antioxidants to further protect against environmental aggressors. It’s important to note that this sunscreen is not water-resistant, which means it shouldn’t be used for swimming or sports.
Zinc Oxide 13% (broad-spectrum sunscreen agent), Water (Aqua), Cyclopentasiloxane (hydration), PEG-12 Dimethicone (texture enhancer), PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone (texture enhancer), Lauroyl Lysine (skin-conditioning agent),Sodium Chloride (stabilizer), Trihydroxystearin (texture-enhancing), Dimethicone Crosspolymer ( suspending agent), Resveratrol (antioxidants), Quercetin (antioxidants), Epigallocatechin Gallate (antioxidants), Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E/antioxidant), Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (vitamin C/antioxidant), Adenosine (skin-restoring), Bisabolol (skin-soothing), Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract (skin-soothing), Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract (antioxidant), Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract (astaxanthin/antioxidant), Hydrolyzed Corn Starch (texture-enhancing/mattifying agent), Polysorbate 80 (texture-enhancing), Hydrated Silica (texture-enhancing/mattifying agent), Triethoxycaprylylsilane (texture enhancer), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate (emollient texture enhancer), Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate (texture enhancer), Caprylyl Glycol (preservatives), Hexylene Glycol (preservatives), Ethylhexylglycerin (preservatives), Iron Oxide (CI77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Phenoxyethanol (preservatives).
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American Academy of Dermatology. "Is Sunscreen Safe?"
Accessed Aug. 2, 2021.
FAQs
What is the best drugstore moisturizer with sunscreen for oily skin?
If you’re looking for a product that works as a moisturizer and sunscreen in one, try the Paula’s Choice Clear Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ or the Paula’s Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50. Both of these lightweight products contain moisturizing ingredients that can keep oily skin hydrated without feeling greasy or heavy on the skin.
What is the best drugstore sunscreen for oily acne-prone skin?
If you have oily skin that is prone to breakouts, try the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 60 or the Paula’s Choice Clear Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+. Both of these products are specifically formulated with acne-prone skin in mind, and are free of ingredients that are known to clog pores and contribute to breakouts.
Does sunscreen lighten skin?
Sunscreen does not lighten the skin. Rather, it works to block (either chemically or physically) the damaging effects of UV rays from the sun, which prevents the skin from tanning or burning. Sunscreens that contain mineral sunscreen filters (zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide) are known to leave a white cast on the skin when applied, but they won’t permanently lighten the skin – the white cast will go away when you wash the sunscreen off.
The Bottom Line
Sunscreen is key for maintaining skin health and preventing premature visible signs of aging, but it can be understandably difficult for some to find a product that works for their skin. If you have oily skin, consider adding one of these sunscreens to your daily skincare routine to keep your complexion protected and healthy.