Why we love it: This sunscreen isn’t just considered safe for acne-prone skin; it’s made for acne-prone skin, so in addition to protecting skin from UV damage, it helps treat and prevent breakouts. In clinical studies, when used as a part of a gentle daily skincare routine for 12 weeks, UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing was proven to reduce acne by 65 percent, visible oil and shine by 61 percent, and pore size by 25 percent—all impressive claims for an SPF.

Cosmo editor review: “I’ve used the original UV Clear for nearly a decade, so my expectations were high—especially because I’ve been dealing with more hormonal breakouts lately. After six weeks of daily use (with no other routine changes), my skin genuinely looks clearer and brighter. I’ve had fewer inflamed breakouts along my jawline, and my post-acne marks from old breakouts have faded, too.” —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR

Read our full review here

Why we love it: We love makeup that does more, and this face primer from Ciele has all the hydration and protection benefits we could ask for in a multitasking formula. You can wear it on its own for a smoothing, glow-boosting effect, or use the makeup-gripping SPF under your fave makeup products for extended wear and ample sun protection.

Cosmo editor review: “I'm obsessed with the entire Ciele range (all of their makeup products contain mineral SPF)—especially this new glowy version of their SPF 30 primer. It goes on so easily (no white cast) and makes whatever face makeup I apply on top look super smooth and glowy." —LB

Why we love it: When you have oily skin, the last thing you want is a sunscreen that's gonna make your face feel extra greasy. Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer gel formula is a lightweight, oil-free sunscreen designed for oily skin types. It dries down to a matte finish and helps absorb excess sebum throughout the day.

Cosmo editor review: "I normally hate the feeling of silicone-based primers, especially sunscreens, because they make my face feel tight and dry (even though I have very oily skin). But this one from Neutrogena manages to be both lightly mattifying and hydrating. I wore it in the desert amid the Coachella heat and dust, and my makeup didn’t pill, and my face didn’t burn. Win." —BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR

Why we love it: Even though it contains SPF 50, this lotion feels more like a hydrating serum or milky essence that soaks into the skin with ease, making it ideal for dry skin or simply anyone who hates the feel of traditional sunscreens. It’s got ectoin, aloe, and vitamin E infused into the formula so it soothes, protects, and hydrates the skin as you wear it.

Cosmo editor review: “Never in my life has a sunscreen blended into my dry skin as seamlessly as this SPF. I wore it on repeat in Florida while swimming and exercising, and it didn’t leave behind a white finish when mixed with water or sweat. And since it absorbs into the skin so nicely, it works just like a hydrating primer underneath any level of makeup.” —JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR

Why we love it: If you’re looking for a lightweight mineral sunscreen that’s made with clean ingredients and leaves skin with a natural-looking finish, Ilia’s new Sun Serum is your girl. It comes in two ultra-sheer shades (light/medium and medium/deep) that cancel out any white cast and give skin a more even-toned look.

Cosmo editor review: “I love the idea of Ilia’s iconic Super Serum skin tint, but it’s just too dewy for my combo skin. This new SPF from Ilia has the perfect finish, though. While the coverage is just a sheer hint of tint, the way it makes my skin look smooth and velvety all day long is simply amazing.” —LB

Why we love it: Thanks to this light-as-air formula, there’s no excuse for skipping sunscreen because it’s “too heavy” or “too greasy”. The serum-like texture soaks into skin in seconds, leaving behind zero greasy film or residue. It’s also got antioxidants to better protect skin from environmental pollutants that contribute to inflammation and premature skin aging.

Cosmo editor review: “La Roche-Posay does sunscreen so well, I would blindly test and probably love just about any formula they dropped. But this one really impressed me—so much so, it was the only SPF I wore for four days in Miami and at the Miami Open. It's a serum, not a cream, so it glides on skin effortlessly without feeling sticky or goopy on skin. It also doesn't pill, making it fantastic to wear under makeup. ” —BG

Why we love it: Even though it’s made with 15 percent zinc oxide, this new SPF from Skinceuticals has no white cast. Like literally, none. It’s also shockingly lightweight and non-greasy, too. And thanks to the zinc oxide (which is naturally anti-inflammatory) and barrier-repairing ingredients, the formula is suitable for even the most sensitive skin types.

Cosmo editor review: “So many mineral sunscreens promise no white cast, but unless they’re tinted they don’t deliver. This is the exception. With minimal blending, it goes on with zero whiteness on a range of skin tones. I brought this to a bachelorette party a few weekends ago, and all eight girls on the trip loved how it looked and felt on their skin on our boat day.” —LB

Feature at a Glance

Why we love it: A “swipe and go" kinda product that lets me live my life without fuss, which is why I'm a firm believer in this sunscreen stick from Bubble. It glides on skin so easily straight from the tube, but still feels really gentle and lightweight on my skin. It’s also incredibly nourishing, thanks to plant oils, squalane, and aloe leaf juice.

Cosmo editor review: “I’m keeping this cute little stick for on-the-go touchups in my bag all summer long. It works great on both face and body, and even though it’s ultra-moisturzing, it doesn’t make my skin feel greasy or slick.” —LB

Why we love it: Skipping sunscreen is the fastest way to a face full of hyperpigmentation, whether it be sun spots or melasma, since UV exposure sends pigment-making cells into overdrive. Luckily, this formula feels like a dream to wear—and it’s got hexylresorcinol to help lighten existing dark spots too.

Cosmo editor review: “I’ve been recommending this sunscreen to all of my friends complaining about their dark spots. Not only is SPF critical for preventing more discoloration, but this one actively fades it with brightening ingredients and antioxidants. Plus, it has a nice glowy finish that makes skin look instantly more luminous.” —LB

The best type of sunscreen for your face is one that you will use every single day—no ifs, ands, or buts. The most important thing to remember is that you should always choose an SPF of 30 or higher (anything below that won't protect much) and make sure the formula protects against UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays are the ones that are responsible for sunburn, as well as causing skin cancer. UVA, on the other hand, penetrates deeper into your skin, which can cause photo-aging (aka fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, and sagging skin—no, thank you).

Usually, you should apply sunscreen after your moisturizer as the final step of your skincare routine in the morning. This is important so that your SPF creates a barrier on your skin and isn’t diluted by any skincare you layer on top. Powders, sunscreen sticks, and sunscreen sprays should all be applied after moisturizer as well.

Assess your goals.

Do you want a sunscreen you can apply every single day without fail, or already have a favorite and just want a stick or powder to touch up? The best sunscreen for you rn will be totally based on your needs and goals. But as a rule, always opt for an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen every single day as the last step of your skincare routine, and reapply throughout the day (whether that's with a stick, powder, or your usual go-to morning SPF).

Decide on mineral versus chemical.

Ah, the age-old question: Chemical versus mineral sunscreens. Really, there's no correct answer on which is better; it comes down to personal preference. Lemme explain the difference: Chemical sunscreens feature active chemical filters (like homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene) that actually absorb the sun’s rays, convert them into heat, and then release them from your skin.

Mineral sunscreens, however, use mineral filters (like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) that create a physical barrier between your skin and the sun's rays. For this reason, these formulas tend to be richer in consistency, taking longer to rub in and leaving a white residue on your skin behind.

FWIW, dermatologists tend to prioritize mineral sunscreen for oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin types, as they tend to be gentler (dermatologists Ava Shamban, MD, and Jeannette Graf, MD, previously recommended these because zinc oxide and titanium dioxide can be a little oil absorbing; however, they're also a bit heavier on your skin, too, of course). But if you have a deep skin tone, it can be pretty difficult to make mineral sunscreens blend into your skin without looking ashy.

If you like a super lightweight formula that blends easily and has no white cast, you should probably go for a chemical sunscreen. But if you're into clean beauty or have ultra-sensitive skin, try a mineral formula. I included a mix of options above for every type and need.

Consider your skin type.

As with the rest of your skincare routine, the best sunscreen for you is totally dependent on your skin type. Some so many potential finishes and ingredients could help moisturize and plump your skin, or potentially make you a greasy mess. As a guideline, opt for hydrating formulas if you have dry skin with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and glycerin, plus sealing oils that lock it all in and give your skin a glow. But if your skin leans oily, choose mattifying sunscreens—like invisible gels or powders—that feature smoothing and blurring dimethicone to help curb shine throughout the day.

Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan, with more than 13 years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories ranging from the best skincare routine for your 30s to a comprehensive roundup of the best drugstore skincare brands. She regularly tests and analyzes new sunscreens while working with the industry’s top experts to assess new brands, trends, and technologies.