As someone in the oily-skin community, finding products I trust, especially ones I have to use multiple times a day can feel surprisingly tricky. While there are plenty of skin-care brands catering to oily and acne-prone skin, sunscreen remains one of the most difficult categories to get right, particularly when it comes to textures that don’t clog pores or feel greasy once applied.

The best sunscreens for oily skin take this into account, by making application as enjoyable with little to no greasiness or breakout aftermath. What sets these acne-safe formulas apart is their lightweight, noncomedogenic ingredient lists, carefully designed to keep pores clear while helping minimize redness and excess shine.

Board-certified dermatologist Shereen Teymour, MD recommends looking for non-comedogenic formulas and 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. In reality, dehydrated skin can sometimes compensate by producing even more oil,” she explains. So, finding an option that balances hydration with texture and longevity is key, for a formula you’ll actually enjoy wearing every day. Below, a look at the formulas I’d recommend; plus, how to apply it so you’re glowing, not glistening—and always safe under the sun.

Best Sunscreen Serum: SKIN1004 Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum

• Why We Love It: If texture is your primary concern, this serum offers a lightweight, fluid consistency that is especially characteristic of Korean sunscreen formulations, melting into the skin rather than sitting on top of it. “The addition of centella asiatica gives the formula a soothing quality, while humectants like hyaluronic acid derivatives help maintain hydration without feeling heavy,” says Dr. Teymour. “For oily skin, finding a sunscreen that feels comfortable enough to wear consistently is often half the battle, and this formula tends to check that box for many people.”
• Editor’s Experience: “I’ve been hooked on this sunscreen since my first use. With a lightweight, serum texture, it delivers excellent moisture without making the skin feel heavy. I finally see why everyone’s obsessed with it!” —Kiana Murden, beauty shopping editor

Best Invisible: EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen

• Why We Love It: “This noncomedogenic and fragrance-free sunscreen is ideal for individuals with dehydrated, acne-prone skin,” says Haifa. It absorbs easily without leaving a white cast and leaves the skin with a smooth, healthy-looking finish. Enriched with antioxidants, it also helps protect against oxidative damage caused by free radicals. “The formula is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, dermatologist tested, and free from oxybenzone, parabens, and sulfates,” she adds.
• Editor’s Experience: “Ask any derm or aesthetician what sunscreen they recommend, and they’re going to say EltaMD. If they don’t, I will Venmo you $5 (non-binding). The reason being that it is efficacious, well-suited to most skin types, and the UV Clear formula in particular leaves a natural, skin-like finish.” — Iman Balagam, contributor

Best Mineral: U Beauty Multimodal Sheer Mineral Sunscreen

• Why We Love It: If you’re after an airbrushed finish, look no further than U Beauty’s sheer mineral broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 25. Haifa explains, “While the SPF rating is 25, that doesn’t mean it offers only 25% protection. In fact, it blocks about 96% of the sun’s harmful rays.” For context, SPF 50 blocks about 98% in most cases. The formula leaves skin with a velvety matte, poreless finish and wears beautifully under makeup thanks to its blurring effect. However, Haifa notes that it can leave a slightly gray cast on deeper skin tones, which is common with many mineral sunscreens. That said, she adds, “when used under makeup, this effect is easily balanced out, making it a great base.”
• Editor’s Experience: “Sometimes I feel guilty recommending this sunscreen because it’s so expensive, but I love it. It has the silkiest texture that blends seamlessly into my skin, almost like a primer, and my makeup sits beautifully on top of it. I’m not usually a fan of mineral sunscreens because they can feel chalky, but that’s not the case with this one at all.” — I.B.

Best Under Makeup: Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50 Facial Sunscreen

• Why We Love It: Ultra Violette Supreme Screen is, according to Dr. Teymour, an excellent option for oily skin, with a formula that feels lightweight and cosmetically-elegant without sacrificing hydration. Many people with oily skin tend to avoid sunscreen because they associate it with heaviness or excess shine, but this formula absorbs beautifully and wears especially well under makeup. It leans more toward a skincare-meets-primer texture than a traditional sunscreen, which often makes it easier to incorporate into a daily routine. “I also appreciate that it delivers broad-spectrum protection in a formula that feels comfortable enough for daily use,” she adds.
• Editor’s Experience: “Made in Australia, I love the entire Ultra Violette lineup for how seamlessly it absorbs into the skin, never leaving behind a white cast and offering a range of formats to play with, including an easy-to-use reapplication mist that I like to use alongside this one. It doesn’t feel like the sunscreen of my youth, the kind I dreaded my mom rubbing into my skin, but something that now sits comfortably within my skincare routine, feeling hydrating on the skin while creating a smooth base for makeup.” —I.B.

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Sofie Pavitt Face Screentime Non-Comedogenic Hydrating Sunscreen

• Why We Love It: What sets Sofie Pavitt Face Screentime Sunscreen apart is that it was specifically developed with acne-prone skin in mind. “For oily skin, ‘non-comedogenic’ is an important feature I look for, since heavier, pore-clogging formulas can contribute to breakouts,” says Dr. Teymour. The formula features niacinamide, which helps support a more balanced-looking complexion and can reduce the appearance of excess oil over time, alongside ectoin, a barrier-supporting ingredient that helps defend against environmental stressors. Despite its hydrating feel, she notes that it remains lightweight, non-greasy, and leaves no white cast, making it especially appealing for those who dislike the feeling of sunscreen on the skin.
• Editor’s Experience: “It’s no secret that I’m a big believer in Sofie Pavitt’s philosophy—her product’s included, and it’s because I don’t have to fear any of them breaking out my breakout-prone skin. SPFs in particular are not an area where I venture into experimentation territory, since comedogenic ingredients mixed with summer sweat often cause unwanted acne. However, this SPF is so silky smooth, like a lightweight lotion. Plus, it’s hydrating enough that I skip my morning moisturizer when I use it. Zero pilling, zero pore clogging ingredients, zero things I don’t love about it.” —Concetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer

Best Nongreasy: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen

• Why We Love It: Esthetician Jade Haifa says this lightweight sunscreen features a nongreasy texture that absorbs quickly without leaving any residue. With SPF 60, it provides a high level of protection against both UVA and UVB rays. It’s incredibly easy to apply with no elbow grease required. The milky texture glides effortlessly over the skin, leaving a smooth finish and a natural, healthy glow. It’s also fragrance-free, noncomedogenic, and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so you’re in the clear on your beach vacation for a bit longer than other options.
• Editor’s Experience: “Fluid is the correct marketing term here, as this sunscreen has a notably runny consistency, making it best applied by pouring it directly into the palms of your hands. Because it is so lightweight, it blends easily into the skin and does not pill or feel heavy once applied. My only note is that it can require a bit of extra effort to work in fully and eliminate the white cast it leaves behind when I’m more tanned, although it does eventually fade into the skin.” — I.B.