Save this story Save Story Save this story As a beauty editor, sunscreen is a near-daily topic of conversation, practically as commonplace as the weather. But when you have oily skin, finding the right formula isn’t about picking up the next new tube, but finding one that won’t slide off my face; or even worse, one that yields a breakout. Sometimes it feels like I can either protect my skin from UV rays or create a whole new set of skin problems.
Sunscreen remains one of the trickiest skin-care categories to get right when you have oily skin. You want something that protects your skin without feeling greasy, clogging pores, or pilling under makeup; a balance that board-certified dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum, MD knows all too well. “I always tell my patients that oily skin still needs hydration and daily sun protection, but I often get pushback because sunscreens can feel heavy or leave behind a greasy finish for those with oily skin.”
Thankfully, there’s no shortage of options these days, from mineral and chemical filters to tinted and shockingly clear formulas, with finishes ranging from matte to luminous. There’s also an entire world of SPF out there, and I send an eye emoji every time I hear a friend is headed to Paris, Seoul, Tokyo, or Sydney. They know exactly what I’m after.
After plenty of trial and error, I’ve learned to pay close attention to whether a formula is noncomedogenic, meaning it’s designed not to clog pores. I even run ingredient lists through online acne checkers for good measure. Board-certified dermatologist Shereen Teymour, MD, recommends looking for not just non-comedogenic formulas, but ingredients like niacinamide, glycerin, or hyaluronic acid, which can help balance oil production and support the skin barrier without contributing to a greasy feel. “One of the biggest misconceptions is that oily skin does not need hydration,” she explains. “In reality, dehydrated skin can sometimes compensate by producing even more oil.”
Ultimately, the best sunscreens for oily skin offer lightweight textures and comfortable finishes that make you actually want to apply them every day. Below, the formulas I’d recommend, plus how to apply them so you’re glowing, not glistening—and always protected from the sun.
What to Look for in a Sunscreen for Oily Skin Should oily skin types use mineral or chemical sunscreens? Can I skip moisturizer and use sunscreen for oily skin? Why Does my sunscreen make my face so oily? How to Wear Sunscreen Without Looking Greasy How We Tested Meet the Experts Best Lightweight: Isdin Fusion Water Magic Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Isdin
Key Ingredients: Algae extract, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E Chemical or Mineral: Chemical (Octocrylene, Homosalate, Octisalate, Avobenzone) SPF Level: 40 Broad-Spectrum : Yes Oil-Free: Yes Finish : Radiant Best Gel Formula: Sekkise Herbal UV Defense Gel Face Sunscreen Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Sekkisei
Key Ingredients: Angelica extract, licorice root extract, aloe leaf extract Chemical or Mineral: Chemical (Homosalate, Octisalate, Avobenzone, Octocrylene) SPF Level: 40 Broad-Spectrum : Yes Oil-Free: No Finish : Radiant Best Sunscreen Serum : SKIN1004 Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum Vogue’s Kiana Murden uses Skin1004’s Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum. Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Skin1004
Key Ingredients : Centella asiatica extract, niacinamide Chemical or Mineral : Chemical (Uvinul A Plus, Uvinul T 150, Tinosorb M, Uvsorb HEB) SPF Level : 50 Broad-Spectrum : Yes Oil-Free: Yes Finish: Dewy Best Invisible : EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen Save to wishlist Save to wishlist EltaMD
Key Ingredients : 5% niacinamide Chemical or Mineral: Hybrid (zinc oxide 9%, octinoxate 7.5%) SPF Level: SPF 46 Broad-Spectrum : Yes Oil-Free: Yes Finish : Natural Best Mineral : U Beauty Multimodal Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Save to wishlist Save to wishlist U Beauty
Key Ingredients : Macroalgae, vitamin C, clary sage, golden seaweed Chemical or Mineral: Mineral (Non-Nano Zinc Oxide 11.5%) SPF Level: SPF 25 Broad-Spectrum : Yes Oil-Free: N/A Finish : Silky matte Best Under Makeup : Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50 Facial Sunscreen Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Ultra Violette
Key Ingredients : Squalane, kakadu plum Chemical or Mineral : Chemical (Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 7%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 8%) SPF Level : 50 Broad-Spectrum : Yes Oil-Free: Yes Finish: Satin, primerlike Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Sofie Pavitt Face Screentime Non-Comedogenic Hydrating Sunscreen Vogue’s Conçetta Ciarlo uses Sofie Pavitt Face’s Screentime sunscreen. Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Sofie Pavitt Face
Key Ingredients : Ectoin, niacinamide, vitamin E Chemical or Mineral : Chemical (Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 7%, and Octisalate 5%) SPF Level : 30 Broad-Spectrum : Yes Oil-Free: Yes Finish: Natural Best Non-greasy : La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen Save to wishlist Save to wishlist La Roche-Posay
Key Ingredients : Vitamin E, silica Chemical or Mineral : Chemical (Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 7%) SPF Level: SPF 60 Broad-Spectrum : Yes Oil-Free: Yes Finish : Natural Everything You Need to Know: What to Look for in a Sunscreen for Oily Skin
For those with oily skin, board-certified dermatologist Dara Spearman , MD, says the number one thing to look for is a noncomedogenic formula. Dr. Brendan Camp, MD, a double-board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist, adds that oil-free, lightweight sunscreens with a mattifying or gel-based texture tend to work best. “A gel-based formula may work better than a heavy cream,” says Spearman. “Some brands even offer liquid sunscreens that dry down to a matte finish, which is ideal for oily skin.”
Should oily skin types use mineral or chemical sunscreens?
It really just depends on your preference. “Oily skin types can use mineral or chemical sunscreens but should look for a lightweight, noncomedogenic formula,” says Camp. However, Spearman suggests opting for mineral formulas, noting that “chemical-based sunscreens can leave skin feeling greasy.”
Can I skip moisturizer and use sunscreen for oily skin?
While it’s always best to experiment and see what works for your skin, Spearman says it’s absolutely fine to skip moisturizer if you’re using a sunscreen that suits your needs. “Doubling up with moisturizer and sunscreen is not necessary for those with oily skin. In fact, I often recommend that my acne-prone patients skip moisturizer in the morning and instead use their medications followed by sunscreen,” she explains. Camp adds that if you do opt to skip moisturizer, make sure your sunscreen offers added skin benefits beyond UV protection. “This might include hydration, skin-barrier support, and antioxidant protection,” he says.
Why does my sunscreen make my face so oily?
“Many sunscreens are composed of emollients or oils to help moisturize the skin and improve spreadability,” Spearman explains. “This can make facial skin, which naturally has more oil glands, appear even oilier.” She also notes that some barrier sunscreens can trap sebum or natural oils on the skin’s surface, which contributes to a greasy look. Camp adds that products made with emollient or occlusive ingredients are more likely to trap oil, while lightweight liquid or gel-based sunscreens tend to leave a more matte finish.
How to Wear Sunscreen Without Looking Greasy
If greasiness is one of your main concerns, look for a matte-based physical sunscreen in either a liquid or gel formula or one with a naturally mattifying finish. Camp recommends ingredients like niacinamide, silica, and zinc—all of which may help reduce shine. Another option, according to Spearman, is to skip moisturizer altogether and consider using a powder-based sunscreen for reapplication throughout the day.
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue ’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity aestheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to sunscreens for oily skin, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, finish, SPF level, UV filters, broad-spectrum coverage, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you. Read more about our testing methodology here .
Brendan Camp , MD, is a double-board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist practicing in New York and Long Island. Dara Spearman , MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Fort Wayne, Indiana, who specializes in melanoma and skin-cancer care. Jade Haifa is an aesthetician and the founder of Jade Haifa Studio in New York. Shereen Teymour , MD, is a New York–based board-certified dermatologist. Dr. Marnie Nussbaum is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York. Dr. Dendy Engelman is a New York City board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue, specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology. Discover More Beauty Recommendations From Vogue Shopping The Best Eyebrow Pencils for Older Women Create Natural-Looking Volume and Fullness
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Source: Lifestyle
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