Struggling with oily skin? Try these sunscreens for a grease-free summer





When shopping for an oily skin-friendly sunscreen, experts recommend keeping in mind the following:
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Listed below are expert-recommended sunscreens for oily skin and NBC Select staff picks.
Experts told me powder sunscreens are lightweight, provide a good amount of coverage and are great for reapplication and touch ups throughout the day, especially if you are wearing makeup. “It absorbs excess oil so it can serve a dual purpose as a finishing powder, actually extending the life of your makeup, and providing sun protection. It’s also portable and won’t leave a white residue on your clothes,” says Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
This is a mineral sunscreen containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, as well as antioxidants to protect from the sun and free radicals, according to the brand. “It’s great for the body, too, and easy to apply to acne-prone areas like the shoulders and chest without having to worry about leaving white residue on your clothing,” says King.
Type: mineral | SPF: 30 | Active ingredients: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide | Water-resistant: yes (up to 80 minutes)
Former NBC Select manager of editorial operations Shari Uyehara uses this oil-free, mineral sunscreen from Alastin on her combination skin. “I like using this product under makeup or for a day in the sun,” she says. Though it’s a bit thicker and creamier than other sunscreens she’s tried, Uyehara says it rubs in nicely and leaves a soft finish on the skin. It’s fragrance-free, noncomedogenic and has a fast-absorbing formula that protects against UVA/UVB rays, pollution, and blue light, according to the brand.
Type: mineral | SPF: 30 | Active ingredients: zinc oxide | Water-resistant: no
This oil-free formula has broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection, as well as a proprietary antioxidant blend of vitamin E and vitamin C to brighten the skin, according to the brand. The lotion absorbs oils and leaves a matte finish on the skin, according to Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital. Keep in mind, however, that this is a chemical sunscreen containing avobenzone and homosalate, which might irritate sensitive or acne-prone skin, experts told us.
Type: chemical | SPF: 50 | Active ingredients: avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | Water-resistant: yes (up to 80 minutes)
This Neutrogena sunscreen is one of our favorites for acne-prone skin and recommended by Zeichner for those who are prone to breakouts. The lotion is oil- and fragrance-free, plus it’s noncomedogenic, so it won’t clog pores and worsen your acne, says Zeichner. Keep in mind this is a chemical formula, so you’ll want to proceed with caution if you have very sensitive skin, according to our experts.
Type: chemical | SPF: 50 | Active ingredients: avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | Water-resistant: Yes (up to 80 minutes)
Great for sensitive, acne-prone skin types, this oil-free, tinted sunscreen has everything: SPF over 30, broad-spectrum protection and a tint. Plus, “it’s so lightweight that it immediately dries,” says Gmyrek. It has zinc oxide, a mineral compound, and a chemical UV filter called octinoxate — so, though it’s not an all-mineral sunscreen, the sunscreen is still suitable for sensitive skin, according to our experts. Its fragrance-free formula also includes niacinamide, which has natural anti-inflammatory effects, our experts say. If you’re looking for an untinted version, consider EltaMD’s original mineral sunscreen.
Type: mineral and chemical | SPF: 46 | Active ingredients: zinc oxide and octinoxate | Water-resistant: no
This sunscreen from Colorescience, recommended by both King and Farber, is a powder option that you can wear on its own or underneath makeup. It is a mattifying, oil-absorbing and all-mineral formula that’s hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic. The brush’s bristles are also antimicrobial, meaning they can help prevent bacteria or mold from growing, according to the brand. It’s also fragrance-free, untinted and protects the skin against UVA, UVB, infrared, blue light and pollutants, according to Colorescience.
Type: mineral | SPF: 30 | Active ingredients: zinc oxide | Water-resistant: yes (up to 40 minutes)
Another chemical option recommended by Farber, Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen is a lightweight, oil-free option that provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB and infrared protection, and filters harmful blue light, according to the brand. The gel formula, which has a natural finish, also doubles as a face primer to use underneath makeup, according to the brand. If you have sensitive skin, consider the mineral version of this Supergoop sunscreen, which is a favorite of NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez thanks to its lightweight consistency and mousse-like texture.
Type: chemical | SPF: 40 | Active ingredients: avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | Water-resistant: yes (up to 40 minutes)
This tinted mineral sunscreen comes recommended by Farber because it’s lightweight, doesn’t leave a white cast and rubs easily into the skin. It’s oil- and fragrance-free, noncomedogenic and leaves a matte finish. It’s also formulated with antioxidants to protect your skin from free radicals caused by UV rays, according to the brand.
Type: mineral | SPF: 50 | Active ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide | Water-resistant: yes (up to 80 minutes)
This Charlotte Tilbury option combines the benefits of a makeup primer and sunscreen. It has hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin, minimizes the appearance of pores and has a matte finish, says King. Its oil-free formula has SPF 50 protection and it’s infused with vitamins C and E to brighten your skin, according to the brand.
Type: chemical | SPF: 50 | Active ingredients: octinoxate, avobenzone, octocrylene | Water-resistant: no
This SkinMedica sunscreen is another favorite of Uyehara because it feels like a moisturizer but doesn’t leave her skin oily like other sunscreens she’s tried in the past. “I like that it’s thick enough to feel like I’m getting a good base and coverage if I wear it under makeup,” says Uyehara. The sunscreen has antioxidants to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, plus hydrating ingredients like squalane, glycerin and niacinamide, according to the brand.
Type: mineral and chemical | SPF: 34 | Consistency: lotion | Active ingredients: zinc oxide, octinoxate, octisalate | Water-resistant: no
This Beauty Pie mineral sunscreen has the benefits of a primer and sunscreen all-in-one. “It blurs the pores and reduces shine while providing all-mineral UV protection in a non-irritating formula,” says Zeichner. The oil-free sunscreen is completely sheer, so you can wear it underneath makeup or on its own without worrying about a white cast or shiny finish, according to the brand. It’s also infused with soothing vitamin E and niacinamide.
Type: mineral and chemical | SPF: 30 | Active ingredients: octinoxate, titanium dioxide | Water-resistant: no
NBC Select associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris was initially skeptical of how well this option would work on her skin tone because of its lightly-tinted coloring. However, after trying it for the first time, she was hooked: “The tint blended out almost immediately, and I was left with a smooth, grease-free finish for the rest of the day,” she says. The sunscreen uses vitamin C to help even out skin tone and prebiotics to help maintain the skin’s moisture barrier, according to the brand. Morris also loves how well the sunscreen sits under makeup and often uses it as a primer.
Type: mineral | SPF: 30 | Active ingredients: zinc oxide, vitamin C | Water-resistant: no

Korean sunscreens are a favorite among our staff, and Morris especially loves this option from innisfree for her oily skin. “I’m far from a stranger to K-beauty, and this sunscreen is one of the best available, hands down,” she says. “Even when sweating, this sunscreen gives me a subtle, healthy glow that doesn’t devolve into full-on greasiness as the day goes on.” The sunscreen is made with green tea and sunflower seed oil to help hydrate and soothe skin, and has a lightweight formula suitable for all skin types, according to the brand. It’s also free of parabens and leaves no white cast, in Morris’ experience.
Type: chemical | SPF: 36 | Active ingredients: avobenzone, homosalate, ocitsalate | Water-resistant: no

The key to finding the best sunscreen for your oily skin is paying attention to the product’s ingredients and formulation, our experts say. Below, we list their recommendations for what to consider when shopping for the best oily skin-friendly sunscreen.
Whether you choose a mineral or chemical sunscreen is based on your personal preferences. Our experts recommend either type as long as it’s oil-free, lightweight and, ideally, noncomedogenic. If you have very oily skin, mineral sunscreens — also known as physical sunscreens or sunblocks — can reduce some of the shine because they tend to be more drying, says King. “Mineral sunscreens may naturally be easier to tolerate for someone with oily skin because they just sit on top of the skin, it’s not absorbed,” she says.
But mineral sunscreens do have their downsides: They’re likely to leave a white cast on the skin and they can sometimes be too drying, especially when combined with topical acne medications, according to King. “They may also feel chalky, heavy or tacky on the skin, especially at higher SPF levels with higher concentration of zinc oxide,” says Zeichner. However, the latest generation of mineral sunscreens use “micronized particles that don’t feel as thick on the skin,” he says.
Chemical sunscreens rely on active ingredients like avobenzone, benzophenone and methoxycinnamate to protect you from the sun, but they can cause breakouts and irritation, which can be a major negative if your skin is already oily, acne-prone and sensitive, says King. However, they’re less likely to leave a white cast because they absorb into the skin. “Some people with oily skin may prefer the lighter texture of some chemical sunscreens that offer an ultralight feel and a matte finish,” says King.
You should apply a quarter-size amount of sunscreen on your face and a shot glass-size amount for your body at least 15 minutes before sun exposure, according to Gmyrek. “An easy rule to follow is to apply a line of sunscreen along the entire length of your middle and index fingers, and then apply that amount to the full face,” says Zeichner.
If you want the continuous SPF protection that’s promised on the bottle, you should reapply your sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or sweating, according to our experts. You should also wear sun-protective clothing, UV-shielding sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat for the best amount of protection against the sun’s rays, says King.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I am the updates editor at NBC Select who has covered a wide range of skin-care topics, including cystic acne treatments, sunscreens for kids and rosacea treatments. For this article, I spoke to four dermatologists to narrow down the best sunscreens for oily skin, and highlighted their recommendations for the best ingredients and products to consider.
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