Best Facial Sunscreens of 2024, Tested and Chosen From 50 Top Brands

Black Girl Sunscreen is a black-owned brand that caters specifically to women of color. 

The face sunscreen is a little thicker than the others on this list, but it blends in nicely without leaving a white cast. You can use Black Girl Sunscreen on both your face and body. 

The formula is vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free, ultra sheer, infused with cocoa seed butter, jojoba and avocado oil, and water-resistant for 80 minutes. It feels moisturizing on my skin, and I can see it working for all skin types, especially those with dry skin. 

As someone with acne-prone skin, I have used and trusted Murad for years. The brand is dermatologist-developed and offers products that are friendly for acne-prone, sensitive and oily skin. If you have a similar skin type, you should consider Murad. 

Murad's Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum sunscreen is oil-free and minimizes the appearance of pores on top of the SPF. It feels hydrating on my skin and is the most matte of all the face sunscreens on this list. It's my top choice for those who have oily or acne-prone skin. 

The Badger Active Mineral Sunscreen is the thickest sunscreen on this list, and for this reason it's the best waterproof facial sunscreen. The uncoated zinc oxide creates a solid barrier between your skin and the sun. It's water-resistant for 40 minutes. The sunscreen is unscented, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, water-free, reef-friendly and the package is made from recycled materials. It also contains organic sunflower seed oil, beeswax, vitamin E and sea buckthorn fruit extract to help keep the skin moisturized.

While the formula is thick, it does rub into the skin pretty well. It didn't leave a white cast on my skin. However, because it's heavy on the skin, I wouldn't recommend it to those with oily or acne-prone skin.

Isdin Photo Eryfotona Actinica is designed for actinic damage (skin that already has been damaged or changed by the sun), such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and reduced elasticity. It contains antioxidants and is water-resistant for 40 minutes.

The formula is liquid and blends into the skin in seconds. It's lightweight and can be used on any skin type -- especially mature skin that has already seen a lot of sun exposure.

If you prefer a glowy, dewy finish instead of a matte finish for your primer, Supergoop's Glow Screen is the one for you. It's very similar to Supergoop Unseen, except for the finish and consistency. Instead of a clear gel, the Glow Screen is more of a sheer liquid that adds some moisture and a glow, but without too much shimmer or glitter. It doesn't feel heavy on the skin. 

Glow Screen comes in various shades such as dawn, golden hour and sunset. While I was worried that there wasn't an exact shade that matches my skin, I was surprised how well each shade blended in. Glow Screen is perfect for a primer before makeup or even as your only makeup.

When it comes to getting your kids to put on sunscreen, sometimes it's easier to give them face sunscreen in a twist tube. Coola's sunstick travels well and applies to faces smoothly. It requires little to no work to rub it into your skin.

Coola's Refreshing Water Hydration Stick is also antioxidant-enriched, cruelty-free, vegan, dermatologist-tested, noncomedogenic and Hawaii Reef Compliant. It also contains hyaluronic acid, aloe and coconut water -- which gives it its signature moisturizing feeling. It quite literally feels like you're applying cool water to your skin.

Cay Skin recently appeared on my radar. Owned by supermodel and vitiligo spokesperson Winnie Harlow, Cay Skin offers products for all skin tones that don't leave behind a white cast. Cay Skin's Isle Glow Face Lotion contains sea moss, hydrating nectar, niacinamide and panthenol (vitamin B5). It's dermatologist-tested, noncomedogenic, fragrance-free, vegan, cruelty-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free and silicone-free. 

I like that the tint to this facial sunscreen is not too dark and not too light. It blends in nicely with little effort and I can see it illuminating most skin tones.

The Glossier Invisible Shield sunscreen is similar to Supergoop Unseen. Both have similar consistencies and apply on the skin clear. However, the Glossier face sunscreen feels more moisturizing on the skin. It applies very dewy and then seeps into the skin, bringing the hydration within.

Glossier's gel facial sunscreen is cruelty-free and TSA-friendly, as it's under the liquid recommendations and slips right into any bag. I recommend that you apply this Glossier sunscreen after moisturizer and before makeup.