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They're lightweight, non-greasy, and won't break you out.
No matter how fancy or low-maintenance your current skincare routine happens to be, you need to be using sunscreen. No, just listen—you need to be using sunscreen. Not just because one American dies of cancer every hour, and not just because even small amounts of sun exposure contribute to wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, and irritation on your face and body, but because all of the cool kids are using them, and you want to be cool, too, don’t you? Yes, sunscreens have gotten a bad rap for being thick, pore-clogging, and greasy, but today’s formulas are so lightweight and creamy, they're basically just moisturizers with UV ray–blocking superpowers. And to make the process even easier for you—so you have no excuse not to slather one on your face every morning—we went ahead and broke down the ten top-rated, tested-and-approved facial moisturizes with SPF that'll keep you protected all day long.
From drugstore favorites to the best at Sephora, there's a formula suitable for every skin tone sure to meet all of your skincare needs. Now please, just give into the peer pressure and use one already. Find the best sunscreen for your skin type, ahead.
The name says it all: Unseen Sunscreen. This oil-free and scentless formula provides a matte finish that's completely invisible on your skin. If you want the perfect protective shield on your skin before you apply makeup, this is the SPF-packed primer for you. It receives high praise because it seamlessly blends into all skin tones and will impart an extra glow without a greasy or sticky residue left behind.
EltaMD's broad spectrum sunscreen, loved by dermatologists and aestheticians alike, has zinc oxide, which serves as a natural protectant from the sun, along with hyaluronic acid to enhance your skin's moisture barrier and octinoxate, which smoothes fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging.
This formula has a lightweight consistency that feels more like a serum with a citrus scent that isn't too overpowering. The built-in HeatForce and WetForce technology works to create a stronger barrier that becomes extra effective for your skin the more you sweat, get wet, and are exposed to high temperatures. Basically, it can withstand any weather and environmental element. (You can also get it in stick form, which feels weird at first but is so convenient for topping up.)
Every year, Consumer Reports tests and ranks a zillion sunscreens on their level of awesomeness (i.e. their effectiveness at protecting against UVA and UVB rays), and every year—okay, for the last four years—this lightweight milk places first with a perfect score. Usually, you only find SPF 60 in a thick, heavy-duty sunblock, but this SPF-loaded moisturizer feels feather-light on your skin and dissolves down to a completely non-greasy finish after you smooth it on.
All you have to do is check this moisturizer's raving reviews on Amazon to understand why people go so hard for this product. If you're trying to get ahead on fighting fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin, this gem is a miracle-worker and will restore elasticity and supple skin in no time. Along with a hefty dose of SPF, it's made with retinol and hyaluronic acid, which work together give you a hydrated, youthful glow. Unfortunately, age spots and winkles get even worse with sun exposure, so these ingredients work to combat both of those issues at once. And, um, it's only $14.
Sophisticated formulas are vital when it comes to making sure your skin is getting the SPF it needs to thrive. Yes, this comes with an expensive price tag, but it's better to be safe than sorry and invest in something that actually works. The blend of zinc, antioxidants, and vitamin C effectively boost your skin's radiance and collagen production, resulting in lifted, firmer, and moisturized skin. Those with darker skin tones will appreciate this super sheer coverage that will never look chalky or ashy.
Little-known fact: The absolute minimum level of SPF you need to use is SPF 30—anything lower simply isn't that effective. (Surprisingly, anything higher than SPF 60 doesn’t actually provide better protection.) This airy, fast-dry formula has an SPF of 50 (right in the sweet spot) that's also broad-spectrum—like all the moisturizers on this list—meaning it protects you from both cancer-causing UVB rays and wrinkle-causing UVA rays (that should be a given in all sunscreens, but it's not). It's also crazy lightweight, making it perfect for oily skin types.
Here's the deal with antioxidants: They block free radicals (i.e. enemy molecules that come from sunlight and pollution) from wreaking havoc on your skin in the form of wrinkles, dark spots, and sagginess. Here's the deal with this thick, rich moisturizer: It's filled with antioxidants. That alone should be enough of a selling point, but the fact that it has SPF 40, soothing white tea extract, and five hydrating fruit oils doesn't hurt, either.
There's a reason you've seen this lotion everywhere for the last decade: It's really freakin' simple and effective. The formula dries to an ultra-light, semi-matte finish, making it excellent for all skin types. And, as a major bonus, it's filled with soy extract, an antioxidant that lightens discoloration and evens out your skin tone over time, so you'll actually get yet another reward for diligently using your sunscreen every day (really good skin, in case that wasn't obvious).
Though this formula is packaged as a straight-up sunscreen, it's actually more like a tinted moisturizer—mainly because it's literally a tinted moisturizer. Available in four shades, this natural sunscreen is ultra-moisturizing (thanks to its aloe and coconut oil extracts) and surprisingly soothing (a result of its cucumber and green tea extracts), making it a true all-in-one product. It also earned a number-one rating by the EWG (Environmental Working Group) in its annual sunscreen guide, so you know it's good.
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