The Best Face Sunscreen Prevents Burns Now and Skin Damage Later (2024)

Without embellishment, here is the best skincare advice I can give you is to: Wear a broad spectrum SPF on your face every single day, year round to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. That is the single easiest way to prevent accelerated signs of aging, such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, sunburn, and skin cancer. Rather than send you out into the wild with that bit of information alone, however, I'll warn you: There are a bunch of different factors that go into choosing an SPF—whether you want to opt for physical or chemical suncare, what protection factor you choose, what texture works for your skin, and so on.

Read on for GQ’s tested and curated best sunscreens that work for different skin types, as well as our favorite SPF moisturizers, tinted sunscreens, and NYC-based board-certified dermatologist Asmi Sanghvi, MD, go-to favorite facial SPF. She also helps explain the key differences between different types of SPFs out there—face vs. body, chemical sunscreen vs. physical sunscreen, and so forth.

The Best Face Sunscreen At a Glance

• The Best Overall Face Sunscreen: Coola Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
• The Best Daily Facial Sunscreen: Bask Daily Invisible Gel SPF 40
• The Best Luxury Face Sunscreen: The Grey Daily Face Protect SPF 50
• The Best Drugstore Face Sunscreen: Neutrogena Clear Face Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 50
• The Doctor’s Favorite Face Sunscreen: EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46
• The Best Face and Body Sunscreen: Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50
• The Best Mineral SPF Moisturizer: Grown Alchemist Natural Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 30
• The Best Chemical SPF Moisturizer: Cardon SPF 30 Moisturizer
• The Best Face Sunscreen for Athletes: Vertra Clear Sunscreen Face Stick SPF 45

The Best Facial SPFs

The Best Overall Face Sunscreen: Coola Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

Formula: Chemical (Avobenzone 1.75% Homosalate 5.0% Octisalate 2.0% Octocrylene 5.0%) | Key active ingredients: Antioxidant plant complex of red raspberry seed oil, meadowfoam oil, prickly pear extract to defend against toxins and UV damage | Water resistant? 80 minutes | Size(s): 1.7 fl. oz.

Why it’s great: If you find a sunscreen to add to your skin care routine that is something you look forward to wearing, then you know it’s a good one. That means you’ll actually want to apply it alongside your daily moisturizer before going outside, which will help to prevent skin aging. This option works well for acne-prone skin, oily skin, and sensitive skin individuals, and it has 80 minutes of water and sweat resistance. I wear it comfortably before jogging under the sun, or whenever I think I’ll be sweating between errands or simply sprawling out in the park. Because of its elegant application and breathability—especially when I’m working up a sweat—I wholeheartedly recommend it.

The Best Daily Facial Sunscreen: Bask Daily Invisible Gel SPF 40

Formula: Chemical (Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 5%) | Key active ingredients: Aloe leaf to hydrate and soothe, shea butter to nourish, squalane to hydrate. | Water resistant? 80 minutes | Size(s): 1.7 fl. Oz.

Why it’s great: I have oily, acne-prone skin, and so I find that I often reach for a gel moisturizer to add hydration without spawning a breakout. Often, these moisturizers can feel a little goopy for the first 10 to 30 seconds, but once they dry, you realize how lightweight and invisible they are. Enter: Bask’s gel-based SPF, which applies elegantly, won’t clog pores, and prevents skin from looking greasy despite giving you a nice bit of radiance.

If you already have a go-to moisturizer, this is a great topmost layer for your overall routine, though I think of it as a highly nourishing and moisturizing sunscreen—part of that class of products that helps you minimize your routine by combining two products into one. It’s foremost a high-performance (and water-resistant!) sunscreen, but I’ll give you a pass if you want to use it as a lightweight moisturizer, too.

The Best Luxury Face Sunscreen: The Grey Daily Face Protect SPF 50

Formula: Chemical (Avobenzone, Octinoxate) | Key active ingredients: Grape stem cells and carnosine for antioxidant defense, the latter of blue light defense too; sodium hyaluronate for moisture retention. | Water resistant? Not formally tested for it. | Size(s): 1.7 fl. Oz.

Why it’s great: There are some pretty damn good SPFs across the Atlantic, and Dutch brand The Grey is evidence of such. It is the epitome of “elegant” when it comes to application. I am a sucker for texture in my grooming products, and this one blends so smoothly I have to resist applying more than necessary. Remember what I said about having products that you actually look forward to wearing? This one may be an investment, but you will never skip SPF in your morning routine if you have it in rotation.

The Best Drugstore Face Sunscreen: Neutrogena Clear Face Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 50

Formula: Chemical (Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 10%) | Key active ingredients: Silica for smooth application and dimethicone for mattified wear. | Water resistant? 80 minutes | Size(s): 3 fl. oz.

Why it’s great: Neutrogena is my “old reliable” whenever I need a guaranteed great defense at a low cost. This product is perfect for all skin types thanks to its oil-free formula (oily and acne-prone folks will especially appreciate that), and it even keeps my skin looking more matte than before. It’s water resistant up to 80 minutes, so if you need a daily sunscreen for your outdoor activities, here is one that won’t break the bank—and won’t break out your skin, either.

The Doctor’s Favorite Face Sunscreen: EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46

Formula: Hybrid chemical-mineral (Zinc Oxide 9%, Octinoxate 7.5%) | Key active ingredients: Cyclomethicone for lightweight hydration; niacinamide for barrier fortification | Water resistant? Not formally tested for it. | Size(s): 1.7 fl. oz.

Why it’s great: EltaMD is a fave of dermatologists because of its robust protection. This option combines mineral and chemical filters, allowing it to blend imperceptibly on darker skin tones without leaving a white cast. Dr. Sanghvi gives it two thumbs up: “This is my favorite facial sunscreen,” she says. “It is lightweight, non-comedogenic, and is suitable for all skin types, including acne-prone and sensitive skin, and provides excellent protection without leaving a white cast or greasy residue.”

The Best Face and Body Sunscreen: Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50

Formula: Chemical (Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 7.5%) | Key active ingredients: Rosemary leaf and sunflower extracts for antioxidant defense | Water resistant? 80 minutes | Size(s): 2.4, 5.5, and 18 fl. oz.

Why it’s great: I never travel without my giant refill of Supergoop’s Play sunscreen in tow; sure, I love having the smaller sizes on hand too, but this bag covers all our SPF needs, head to toe, whenever we hit the beach or have a day of in a new city. Supergoop’s entire range of sunscreen products is one of the best options in the United States, and could compete with the many of the options overseas where there are more updated sun filters like Tinosorb and Uvinul. This product, in particular, is the brand’s most universal, given its full-body wear, lightweight application, and 80-minute water resistance.

The Best Mineral SPF Moisturizer: Grown Alchemist Natural Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 30

Formula: Mineral (19% Zinc Oxide)| Key active ingredients: Hyaluronic acid for hydration retention and Vitamin E for nourishment. | Water resistant? Not formally tested for it. | Size(s): 1.7 fl. oz.

Why it’s great: Grown Alchemist is experiencing a steady ascension to household-name status and products like this terrific mineral facial moisturizer are to credit. Not only does it provide high zinc oxide defenses that blend easily, but it wears every bit as lightweight as a moisturizer. I’ve been able to use it as a reliable layer beneath concealer, too, And, if you value things like vegan formulas, reef-safe recipes, and fully natural ingredients, then here is a perfect pick for you. It does take an extra 15 seconds to blend in (given that high mineral concentration), but chalky it is not.

The Best Chemical SPF Moisturizer: Cardon SPF 30 Moisturizer

Formula: Chemical (Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate) | Key active ingredients: Cactus extract soothes and hydrates skin; turmeric provides anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial abilities, while chia seed extract provides oger-3-powered defense. | Water resistant? Not formally tested for it. | Size(s): 1.2 fl. Oz.

Why it’s great: Cardon’s core products are the perfect baseline regimen for most men (see: my praise for them in these posts about gel moisturizer and clay face wash). This SPF moisturizer combines two imperative morning skin care steps into one with a pocket-size product that travels easily and lasts much longer than you’d expect. Its anti-inflammatory, hydrating, and antioxidant ingredients make it a superb moisturizer, but the inclusion of chemical UV defenses rounds it out for minimalists who want to wear a product that does it all.

The Best Face Sunscreen for Athletes: Vertra Clear Sunscreen Face Stick SPF 45

Formula: Mineral (Zinc Oxide 22%) | Key active ingredients: Shea butter, beeswax, sunflower seed wax, and cocoa seed butter provide a nourishing and fortifying base. | Water resistant? 80 minutes | Size(s): 0.39 oz.

Why it’s great: Verta’s name is synonymous with active, outdoorsy, high-sweat lifestyles, which is why I trust them foremost when I find myself at high altitudes or outside for long stretches of time. It’s TSA-friendly, has 80-minute water resistance, and given its 22 percent zinc oxide concentration, it has a clear application. While I prefer the clear-wear option for sweating in the sun, the brand also has various tinted renditions of the product, should you want to use it as a daily sunscreen that blends cleanly into your skin.

Different Types of Sunscreens, Explained (To Help You Shop for the Best SPF)

Mineral SPF Versus Chemical SPF

This is one of the first things to consider when shopping for sunscreen. Do you want it to use chemical UV filters, or mineral ones? The difference could impact how it feels on skin, and how it applies.

Chemical SPF: As the nomenclature suggests, chemical sunscreens rely on a combination of chemicals–usually avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, and homosalate– to penetrate the skin and prevent sun damage by absorbing UV rays and rendering them harmless. These sunscreens usually go on smooth, leaving little to no white cast—which is why they continue to be a popular choice. However, many people want to avoid these chemicals. Some of them have been determined to be detrimental to coral reefs, while others are known hormone disruptors that could very possibly remain in your bloodstream; the worst offenders have been banned significantly (oxybenzone in particular).

Don’t misconstrue “chemical” as being bad, though. Especially in nations where sunscreens are more seamlessly regulated and updated, chemical SPFs wear elegantly and even sit on the surface of the skin (as opposed to being absorbed into the skin). In the US, we’ve got significant hurdles on sunscreen filters that prevent rapid innovation; for this reason, we haven’t had a new filter enter the market since 1999—though the CARES Act opened the door for new ones to be introduced soon.

Mineral SPF: If you'd prefer to keep it reef-safe or would just like to keep your skincare a little more “clean” or “natural,” mineral sunscreens are a great alternative. Most sunscreens falling under this category will feature zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide and, unlike chemical sunscreens which are absorbed into the skin, sit on top of the epidermis to block rays. The downside? Some can leave a chalky cast over the skin which tends to turn people off; to avoid this, look out for lightweight formulas that are non-nano 10%-plus zinc oxide.

Face Sunscreen vs. Body Sunscreen

The difference between face sunscreen and body sunscreen is roughly analogous to the difference between face wash and body wash. The sensitive skin of your face requires a gentler formula than that of the body, and should be formulated to be mindful of things like acne, anti-aging efforts, oil accumulation and sensitive areas around the eyes.

Face sunscreens are often oil-free to prevent clogged pores and aggressive sweating, as well as fragrance-free to prevent redness and irritation.

Body sunscreens, on the other hand, don’t usually take the same precautions, so they’re packaged in bigger containers with just the necessary ingredients. Many products are dual-purpose, though, and can be applied to the face and body: “A body sunscreen can be safe for facial use if it is non-comedogenic (won't clog pores), free of heavy fragrances, and formulated for sensitive skin,” says Sangvhi. “Check for labels indicating it's suitable for use on the face or for sensitive skin.”

Face Sunscreen vs SPF Moisturizer

So, what is the difference between a face sunscreen and an SPF-packed moisturizer?

SPF moisturizer: Think of this as the product you wear on a daily basis—since most days, you’re simply coming and going, maybe spending 10 or 15 minutes outside at a time. You need to wear moisturizer every day, to protect the hydration levels in your skin and to prevent environmental agressors from causing photo-aging. So, why not wear one that also has SPF in the daytime?

Face sunscreen: Most dedicated facial SPFs focus foremost on shielding UV defenses, placing any nourishing benefits secondary. This is what you’ll add to your regimen for afternoons in the park, days on the beach, a long run, or so on. You can layer this over your SPF moisturizer, or simply opt for a regular, non-SPF moisturizer as a base layer beneath your face sunscreen. Opt for something with at least SPF 30.

Because moisturizer and SPF are both part of the foundational skincare regimen, many people opt to combine these two steps into one each morning by using an SPF moisturizer, but Dr. Sanghvi says that “it's worth swapping out an SPF moisturizer for a facial sunscreen when spending extended time outdoors, during peak sun intensity hours, or in situations with high UV exposure.” Why? “Facial sunscreens are specifically formulated to provide robust and stable sun protection, often with added benefits like being water-resistant, non-greasy, and suitable for sensitive skin.”

Water Resistance in Sunscreen, Explained

If you’re going to be working up a sweat or going for a swim, then you need a sunscreen with water resistance. This will be promised in two separate intervals: 40 minutes or 80 minutes.

If a product doesn’t say it’s “water resistant” as a benefit, that doesn’t necessarily mean it lacks the resistance. Instead, it usually means the brand didn’t endure the expensive FDA testing to clear the product for that claim. In these tests, the product needs to prove its water-resistant wear for at least 40 or 80 minutes, and then those benefits can be slapped on the container. Even if a product retains its potency well beyond 80 minutes, it’s currently only able to promise 80 minutes of water-resistant protection.

However, if you do plan to work out under the sun or go for a swim, make sure your product promises the benefit. Shopping for “sport sunscreens” is usually one of your best bets, but brands will definitely boast their water resistance if they earned the right to do so. For this roundup of facial sunscreens, you’ll see this time distinction noted or that it was “not formally tested”.

How We Tested (And Picked a Winner)

When you’re GQ’s grooming writer, you get a lot of products sent to your doorstep. And of all the categories of products that pile up, facial sunscreen ranks highly with me. I never leave the house without a facial sunscreen on (okay, maybe at 9 p.m. I’m SPF-free, but never during the daytime). Needless to say, I’ve been testing these products every day of the past 11 years, and I’ve become a loud and proud advocate of daily SPF wear. The products on this list are those I would spend my own money on and which have the most universal appeal—not to mention that they wear comfortably and deliver on their defensive promises.

About Our Experts

Adamy Hurly has been covering the grooming industry since 2013. For most of that time, he's been GQ.com’s primary grooming contributor, too. For this article, Adam also spoke with NYC-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Asmi Sanghvi, who also offers Ayurvedic approaches to medicine in her practice.