The 10 Best Sunscreens for Oily Skin of 2025, Per Dermatologists

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June 27, 2025

On June 27, 2025

Let’s cut to the chase: There is quite simply absolutely no valid excuse for not wearing sunscreen daily. Along with seeking shade, covering up, and avoiding peak sun hours, applying sunscreen is a crucial way to safeguard your skin’s health, as unprotected UV exposure can cause sunburn, premature signs of aging, and even certain types of cancer. However, if you have oily skin, the thought of slathering sunscreen on your face can be unappealing, especially since many formulas on the market tend to leave a greasy finish once applied. The good news? Numerous matte sunscreens provide a non-glossy finish.

We conducted extensive research on the best sunscreens for oily skin, evaluating them based on active ingredients, SPF levels, and their water resistance. After consulting with Dr. Elizabeth Houshmand, a double-board-certified dermatologist, and considering dozens of options, we landed on these top-rated choices.

Credit: Amazon

There’s lightweight sunscreen, and then there’s the undetectable sunscreen that you forget you’re wearing. This Supergoop! formula most definitely falls into the latter camp—it’s not only oil-free but also weightless, scentless, and clear. Although it’s great for all skin types, we especially like it for oily skin types thanks to its completely invisible texture. Still, it packs a punch in terms of protection, guarding not only against UVA and UVB rays but also blue light, the type of light emitted from all of our electronic devices—which many studies show may be potentially damaging. As if all of that weren’t enough, it has a matte finish and layers beautifully under makeup. Devoted fans love both how it looks and feels on their skin.

Shannon Stubbs, writer with dry skin (not shown): “This has a smooth, gel consistency that blends seamlessly—making it a dream to apply. It’s virtually weightless, so there’s no chalky feeling on the skin.”

CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30

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Dermatologists love this brand, a drugstore staple, for its straightforward skincare offerings featuring ceramides, essential ingredients for helping to strengthen and maintain a healthy skin barrier. This formula has those but also delivers additional moisturizing benefits, too—thanks to the addition of hyaluronic acid—plus SPF 30 protection and a matte finish.

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We’re also big fans of the Mattescreen from the brand. The formula is completely mineral (yet white cast-free) and mattifies shine, blurs the look of pores, and creates a smooth, even finish on bare skin or under makeup. Byrdie’s former associate editor Caitlyn Martyn loves this formula because it protects and perfects the look of her skin. It comes in one universal peachy hue, which is designed to offset the white cast synonymous with mineral formulations. It is flexible and blendable across a wide range of skin tones, but we wish the brand had other color options to perfectly suit all skin tones better.

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Caitlyn Martyn, former associate editor with oily skin: “I’ve gone through about seven bottles of this stuff because of how well it protects my skin and diffuses the appearance of uneven skin texture and makes my makeup go on more smoothly.”

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Yes, this featherweight, transparent formula (a favorite among dermatologists) touts an effective combo of chemical and mineral sunscreen ingredients to help effectively shield your skin from the sun. But what we find even more noteworthy is the addition of two skincare ingredients: lactic acid, a gentle exfoliant, and niacinamide, an antioxidant that helps even tone and reduces redness. In tandem, they help to leave your complexion illuminated and more radiant. Best of all, it absorbs easily, is non-irritating, and is great for those who love a low-maintenance routine.

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Amanda Rosenthal, writer with combination skin: “I love the lightweight formula and appreciate that it comes in a clear, tinted, and green (to combat redness) version. Plus, the formula is nongreasy and creates a glowy, plump base for makeup.”

Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30

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Yes, you can—and should!—still use a moisturizer even if you have oily or acne-prone skin. We love this one because it delivers light hydration and, thanks to an SPF of 30, a healthy dose of sun protection. But it doesn’t stop there: It also helps mattify skin and keeps excess oil at bay. Plus, because it’s a noncomedogenic product, there’s no need to worry about clogged pores or possible pimples.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30

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When your skin is on the sensitive side, a mineral sunscreen like this one is always going to be your best bet. It relies on zinc oxide, a mineral that sits on top of your skin to block out the sun and is much less likely to cause any kind of potential irritation than chemical blockers. Oil-free (important for oily skin) and fragrance-free (key for sensitive skin), it also absorbs quickly and blends into any skin tone; reviewers with darker skin note that it’s one of the only non-tinted, mineral options that they can wear without any chalkiness. While initially, it looks a bit dewy, it dries down quickly to a velvety and matte finish. Oh, and it contains a hefty dose of protective antioxidants, too.

Black Girl Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30

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Formulated by women of color for people of color, this SPF 30 is filled with natural ingredients that are good for your skin, like avocado, jojoba, cacao, and vitamin C-rich carrot juice, which soothes and evens skin texture. There’s also sunflower oil to prevent irritation from sunburns. Free of oxybenzone and octinoxate, toxins commonly found in sunscreen, this pick is great for everyday protection. Bonus points for it drying clear and without a greasy residue (even though it does contain oil).

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Shannon Stubbs, writer: “I love using this sunscreen because it has a lightweight, creamy texture, and it doesn’t take too long to rub into the skin. After applying, I have a luminous glow that doesn’t become too oily as the day goes on, and it feels very comfortable on my complexion.”

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50

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What We Like

Portable and easy to use on the go
Comes in four, flexible shades
Easy to use

Breaking news: You shouldn’t only be applying sunscreen daily but also reapplying it regularly—ideally every two hours or at least any time before you go outside. This 100% mineral powder sunscreen (which also contains iron oxide to protect your skin from blue light) is great for touch-ups since it won’t mess up your makeup, and it delivers a little bit of coverage, too. Not to mention that powder, in general, is a good way to absorb excess oil throughout the day. Plus, it’s self-dispensing and portable, meaning you can easily keep one on hand anytime, anywhere.

Shannon Stubbs, writer: “It works similarly to a setting powder as well, so it was able to tamp down some of the shine of my base makeup. I also loved that it had gentle, soft bristles that didn’t feel rough on the skin.”

Tula Brightening Serum Skin Tint Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30

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There’s nothing better than a product that tackles two jobs at once. That’s why Tula’s radiance-boosting sunscreen is a perfect option for those on the go. Its luxurious formula includes a rainbow seaweed and niacinamide combination, hyaluronic acid and ceramides, a mix of prebiotic and probiotic extracts, and collagen to give a highlighting effect that protects the skin. Those of us with oily skin will benefit, too, as the product is weightless and doesn’t clog pores.

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50

Credit: Dermstore

For those of us who struggle with face redness or tone unevenness, we’re in luck. Skinceuticals created a product that’ll solve those skin woes. The 100% mineral-based formula contains artemia salina, a plankton extract that protects skin from stress caused by UV rays and heat. Another bonus? The ingredients won’t clog your pores, either. The scent is rather strong (we can’t quite put our finger on what it is exactly), so those who are sensitive to fragrance might want to skip this one.

What to Look for in a Sunscreen for Oily Skin

Oil-Free: At the risk of pulling a Captain Obvious, this is the most important criterion since the last thing you want is to add more oil to your face. Dr. Houshmand recommends looking for formulas that don’t contain oil—even skin-loving kinds.
Noncomedogenic: Similarly, you want to make sure that the sunscreen you choose won’t clog pores, given that those with oily skin are already more prone to clogged pores, to begin with. There are also sunscreens specifically for acne-prone skin if you’re worried about breakouts.
Formula: Powders and gels are an especially great option, given that they’re innately lighter and more mattifying than creams or lotions.

FAQ

Whether you want to go with a mineral sunscreen, a chemical formula, or a hybrid is a matter of personal preference and is completely up to you. The key is to seek out oil-free options that won’t clog your pores.

Whether you’re using a sunscreen stick or a cream, apply it in the same way as you would apply sunscreen to any other type of skin. You need at least a nickel-sized amount of cream for your face and neck, which is about two fingers’ worth (use your index and pointer finger). Ideally, you should also be reapplying every two hours after the fact, especially if you’re going to be spending time outdoors. That’s where powder formulas can be hugely helpful.

Dr. Houshmand says that powder and gel sunscreens are your best bet if you have oily skin. Beyond that, she advises picking a broad-spectrum sunscreen—to shield your skin from both UVA and UVB rays—and an SPF of 30 or more, which is recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology (even though, she encourages an SPF 50 formula to make sure you cover your bases).

Meet Our Expert

For this story, we worked with a skin expert to gather more insights about what to keep in mind when shopping for sunscreen for oily skin:

Dr. Elizabeth Houshmand is a double-board-certified dermatologist in Hamburg, Pennsylvania. She’s well-versed in both cosmetic skin treatments and dermatologic surgery and is involved in education and teaching, as well as research and clinical trials.

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. While her skin is drier than it is oily, sunscreen is her absolute number one must-have beauty product, so she’s extremely well-versed in all of the different types and formulas available. She does incorporate some of the ones featured on this list into her daily routine (especially during the summer when her skin is slicker). The Dr. Dennis Gross formula is currently a part of her regular rotation, and she always has one of the Colorescience powder brushes on hand at all times.

Cullen Ormond is a Byrdie writer and a long-time editor whose work can be found on Apartment Therapy. She’s covered beauty, fashion, and entertainment topics. She helped to ensure the sunscreen ingredients, specifications, and formulas were up to date for easy shopping. As someone whose best day is spent in the sun, working on this article reminded her of the importance of wearing sunscreen in both sunny and cloudy weather.