The 10 Best Face Sunscreens That Launched In 2026 Feel Delightfully Weightless On Your Skin
No white cast and great protection.
The best face sunscreens come in a variety of forms—lightweight fluids, moisturizing creams, sticks, sprays, and even powders. The right pick usually depends on your skin type and concerns (the best sunscreen for acne-prone skin, sensitive skin, dry skin, or oily skin, or deeper skin tone will all look a little different), but one thing stays the same no matter what: daily sun protection isn’t optional. Board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, previously told MC that SPF 30 is the minimum you should be working with—and that’s assuming you’re actually applying enough and reapplying throughout the day. (That's two fingerlengths every two hours, people!)
Face sunscreen is one of the hardest-working products in my beauty routine, which means I’m constantly testing new ones in search of something better. That said, I looked beyond the classics and put some of 2026’s best new sunscreen launches to the test, evaluating everything from texture and finish to ingredients and wear time. The result is a mix of editor favorites, dermatologist recommendations, and standout newcomers that are genuinely worth adding to your skincare routine. Let's get after it.
Sensitive Skin Saviors
I may sound like a broken record, but it bears repeating: the best sunscreen is the one you'll wear and diligently apply. That said, specific skin types tend to do better with one formula versus the other. For sensitive skin, mineral SPF is an excellent choice since it's less likely to irritate, thanks to a UV-protection mechanism that requires less heat activation than its chemical counterparts. These are fail-safe formulas that work even with the most reactive skin types.
This new launch from Ilia boasts SPF 50 and, surprisingly, at such a high protection factor, it features zinc oxide—the notorious white-cast culprit—that blends invisibly into most skin tones. The dry-down is immaculate, and part of the reason I love it so much. Instead of an uber-greasy finish, it settles into a natural sheen that keeps skin hydrated with hyaluronic acid while still minimizing oil production.
Before we got together, my boyfriend was an avid sunscreen hater. (Yes, it's only right he then began dating me, a beauty editor.) While trying to introduce him to a variety of formulations in hopes he would become a convert, this SPF was the only one that stuck—and that, my friends, is the highest honor. Yes, it's pricey, but in seconds, the inclusive formula dries to an invisible shield that wards off premature aging and harmful UV rays.
SPF Sprays
While an SPF setting spray shouldn't be your primary sun protection, it is an excellent way to supplement a traditional sunscreen when it's time to reapply. Every two hours, I spritz one of the formulas below that play well with makeup and, most importantly, top off my UV protection.
Naked Sundays, bar far, is my favorite SPF setting spray to date. Until this formula came out, I tried every other brand to find a product that wouldn't leave a slick layer of oil on my skin or mess up my makeup. With a few spritzes, I was shocked to see how it refreshed my complexion with the most natural, radiant glow.
Another sleeper hit comes from one of my favorite drugstore beauty brands, e.l.f. For an affordable option, this is an excellent choice to boost SPF protection throughout the day. The formula includes a slew of skin-loving ingredients, such as soothing bisabolol and fruit extracts, for extra antioxidant protection.
Makeup-Friendly
A major caveat to some SPFs? They don't play nicely with complexion products like skin tints and foundation, resulting in pilling or patchiness. A way around that is to use a hybrid makeup primer-sunscreen duo that preps your base and keeps your skin protected.
Senior Beauty Editor Samantha Holender introduced me to YSE Beauty and its wonderful founder, Molly Sims, and I have since fallen in love with the brand's products, especially this SPF primer. It's jam-packed with MVP ingredients like hydrating sodium hyaluronate, brightening niacinamide, and other radiance-boosting ingredients. Layer it after skincare and before makeup for a smooth, plump complexion.
The newest launch from Eadem comes Sunsuede, a product that combines sun protection and priming powers all in the form of a convenient stick. Simply swipe it on in an even layer and watch your pores vanish with its smoothing, dimethicone base.
Tinted Coverage
When looking for a tinted SPF, the key is to choose products that prioritize SPF over makeup. While it may seem obvious, it's actually a tall order, and more often than not, your favorite formula may give you a false sense of security. The key is to find a sunscreen with a high concentration of SPF filters and to ensure you're applying enough product (two finger lengths for the face); otherwise, a tinted SPF should be a supplement to your traditional sunscreen.
This is the tinted sunscreen to beat. It contains a high concentration of mineral filters for adequate sun protection and offers the best shade range among tinted mineral SPFs that prioritize skincare over makeup, I have found. Another slept-on feature? Tinted sunscreens contain iron oxides that help block visible light, which can contribute to hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
Another brand that gets it right? EltaMD. The cult-favorite UV Daily Tinted Sunscreen was always an OG, but was catapulted into stardom by the likes of Hailey Bieber and has since become one of the elite choices on the market for coverage and adequate sun protection.
Light-as-Air
Korean beauty is light-years ahead of skincare innovation in the States, and leading that charge are the sunscreens. While we don't have access to all the filters used in Asia, many Korean brands have formulated their products to be compatible for use in the US, per the FDA. The options below sink into an invisible finish and feel incredibly weightless on the skin.
Beauty of Joseon is one of the elite K-beauty brands when it comes to sunscreen, so whenever it launches a new formulation, I am eager to test it out. Dayscreen is the newest, and it's a gentle SPF that uses skin-friendly ingredients to soothe and support the skin barrier.
My latest obsession? Compact SPFs. They're more elegant than a spray, and more convenient than a stick. K-beauty, of course, pioneered these sunscreen compacts, and this one from Round Lab is a great place to start. It has broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection and applies like a lightweight dream.
Why Trust Marie Claire
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
