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a person applying sunscreen to their facepinterest
Trevor Raab

Provides medium coverage

They’re gentler than what you might slather on the rest of your body.

By and

Applying sunscreen to your face, it should come as no surprise, is important before a run to make sure you’re left with, at most, a sunglass tan. Using SPF 30 and above can help protect your skin from damage, wrinkles, and even skin cancer, but many formulas leave something to be desired, especially for the delicate skin on your face.

High-quality sunscreen for your face is formulated to be lighter and more breathable than those intended for use on your body. Face sunscreen comes in many different forms, from moisturizers to serums to tinted formulas, giving you plenty of choices to find one that works the best with your skin.

We rounded up the best face sunscreens to protect your face from both UVA and UVB rays so you can run throughout the summer without burning.

The Best Face Sunscreens

    What to Consider

    Maintain VO2 Max as You Age face sunscreen, there are a few key ingredients and terms to look out for, as they determine how the sunscreen functions, reacts with your skin, and appears on your face.

    Mineral Versus Chemical

    Mineral sunscreen creates a physical barrier between your skin and the sun, sometimes leaving a visible white or purple cast on the skin. This option is often a good choice for sensitive, vulnerable skin like the face. The active ingredients are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which create a barrier that blocks ultraviolet light, so the SPF doesn’t need to soak into the skin. Some mineral sunscreens are tinted to match your skin to abate the pasty, chalky residue that this type of sunscreen can leave, especially on dark skin tones.

    Chemical sunscreens seep into the skin rather than sitting on top of it. They are generally thinner than mineral sunscreens and don’t leave behind any color. They often work well as a primer used under makeup, and are also a good choice for acne-prone skin.

    How We Selected

    To find the best facial sunscreens among the many options on the market, we researched the most popular formulas available and considered their ingredients, feel, SPF level, texture, and wear longevity. We then looked at both expert reviews and feedback from real customers to settle on the best sunscreen for your face, whether you’re prepping for a run or laying out on the beach.

    1
    Best Overall

    La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Body & Face Sunscreen

    Anthelios Melt-In Milk Body & Face Sunscreen

    Pros

    • Fragrance-free
    • Oxybenzone-free

    Cons

    • Gentle on sensitive skin

    For days spent out in the sun, this face and body sunscreen takes the cake. It is fragrance-free, fast absorbing, and packs 60 SPF—but won’t have you looking like a ghost or feeling like you rolled around in butter. It is water-resistant and lasts up to 80 minutes before needing to be reapplied, so it’s great for the beach or a sweaty workout. Apply this to your face 15 minutes prior to heading outside into the sun and you’ll be ready-to-go.

    Reviewers love this sunscreen because it feels like it absorbs quickly, which is nice as the last thing you want when you go outside in the heat is to feel a greasy product weighing you down.

    Image no longer available

    Key Specs

    Type Chemical
    SPF 60
    Water-Resistant? Yes
    2
    Best Budget

    CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen

    Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen

    Pros

    • Budget-friendly
    • Spectrum SPF 50

    Cons

    • Not water-resistant

    If affordability is a major concern for you, you can’t go wrong with CeraVe's hydrating mineral sunscreen. It has an SPF level of 30 and the mineral-based formula is irritation-free. Since it uses zinc, it can have a bit of a white cast, but the tinted option works well for many skin tones. If you have sensitive or easily irritated skin, this is a great option for you.

    However, if you plan on spending a day at the beach or pool, this may not be the sunscreen to bring since it is not water resistant. CeraVe’s products are known for being super gentle on sensitive skin, and this sunscreen is no exception.

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    Key Specs

    Type Mineral
    SPF 30
    Water-Resistant? No
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    3
    Best Tinted Sports Sunscreen

    Vertra Mick Fanning Signature Cool Beige Face Stick

    Mick Fanning Signature Cool Beige Face Stick

    Invented by surfers two decades ago, these face sticks stand up to water and, as we found in testing, sweat. But, best of all, there’s no chalky white residue when you apply it. The sticks come in an invisible option but also a few other shades to better match skin tones.

    On an 80-degree day, one of our testers found he had to reapply the sunscreen to his face a couple of times—he was testing the SPF 35 version—bur reported that it was effortless and didn’t leave him with any oily or sticky sensations like you get with some other sunscreens. All of our testers loved the fact that the stick is small enough to jam into any shorts pocket or waist belt and have for the second half of a long run or marathon race.

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    Key Specs

    Type Mineral
    SPF 35
    Water-Resistant? Yes
    4
    Best Running Watches

    Works as a makeup primer

    Face and Body Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Set
    Now 15% Off

    Pros

    • Kind on sensitive skin
    • Not greasy

    Cons

    • Not available in large sizes

    This mineral-based sunscreen is great if you have sensitive, acne-prone skin. It’s hydrating, fragrance-free, and uses hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to help keep your skin clear, moisturized, and looking healthy. It’s transparent, packs SPF 46, and you can also buy it in a pack with Elta MD’s SPF 50 sport sunscreen for the body, which is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

    Although this bundle’s price tag is on the higher end, reviewers say it’s worth it. One user says this sunscreen “never clogs my pores and makes my skin feel and look great”—what else could you ask for?

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    Key Specs

    Type Mineral
    SPF 46
    Water-Resistant? Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Face Lotion
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    5
    Best Tinted

    Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Face Lotion

    Mineral SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Face Lotion

    Pros

    • Matte finish
    • Cruelty-free
    • Hypoallergenic

    Cons

    • Doesn’t fully cover blemishes

    If you want a mineral sunscreen without too much of a white cast, this Sun Bum sunscreen is a great choice. It has a matte finish, which leaves your skin feeling clean and soft, and it’s lightweight, so you won’t feel greasy even after reapplying. Since this uses zinc instead of a chemical formula, it’s also a great option for sensitive skin. Plus, it is water-resistant, so you can wear it at the beach or at a pool party for 80 minutes at a time, and has that delicious banana scent.

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    Key Specs

    Type Mineral
    SPF 30
    Water-Resistant? Yes (80-minutes)
    6
    Best Stick

    Lightweight Running Shoes

    Beach Defense Sunscreen Stick
    Now 25% Off

    Pros

    • Experts Say How to Keep Your Pelvic Floor Healthy+
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    Cons

    • Protects from UVA and UVB rays

    If you’re looking for a sunscreen that’s easy to apply without getting all over your hands, this one is a great choice—and the one I wear every day because it’s clean, looks good under my makeup, and doesn’t get everywhere. It’s also relieving to know that I’ll be protected if I happen to make an impromptu trip to the beach or the pool, since it’s water resistant.

    With SPF 50+ protection, you can rest assured that your skin will be shielded from the harshest of UV rays. Since this sunscreen is sold in stick form, it’s small enough to fit in most bags to be carried when on-the-go.

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    Key Specs

    Type Chemical
    SPF 50+
    Water-Resistant? Yes
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    7
    Gentle on sensitive skin

    Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40

    Glowscreen SPF 40

    Pros

    • Doesn’t fully cover blemishes
    • CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen

    Cons

    • Runner’s Knee? Here are Some Possible Solutions

    This Supergoop primer not only helps protect your skin, but it also leaves you with a beautiful, luminous glow. While not technically tinted, it does have a pearlescent sheen that looks great when worn alone or under makeup. This formula also packs hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and niacinamide, all of which help keep your skin clear and bright. As an added bonus, it protects from blue light, which is especially helpful if you spend a lot of time in front of your computer or on your phone during the day.

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    Key Specs

    Type Chemical
    SPF 40
    Water-Resistant? No
    8
    Best Lightweight

    ZitSticka Megashade Face Sunscreen

    Megashade Face Sunscreen

    Pros

    • Summer Running Gear

    Cons

    • Not water-resistant

    If you prefer a lightweight face sunscreen, you'll love this one from ZitSticka. It has SPF 50, protects from both UVA and UVB rays, and it's a serum, so you can wear it under moisturizers and makeup without it getting cakey and heavy. This one is specifically designed for sensitive and acne-prone skin, making it a particularly great choice if you're concerned about breaking out. If you plan on exercising outdoors, this sunscreen is sweat-resistant so you can spend more time enjoying your workout and less time worrying about whether or not your sweat is wiping off your sunscreen.

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    Key Specs

    Type Chemical
    SPF 50
    Water-Resistant? No
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    9
    Best Serum

    Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Sunscreen

    Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Sunscreen

    Pros

    • Provides medium coverage
    • Contains squalane
    • Races - Places

    Cons

    • Some may find the scent unpleasant

    This Ilia skin tint wears like a mix between a serum and foundation. It provides medium coverage, so it looks light and natural while also helping to even out your skin tone. With more than 30 shades to choose from, it is unlikely that you won’t be able to find one that will best suit your skin tone. It has SPF 40 and includes ingredients like niacinamide to improve texture and discoloration, and hyaluronic acid and squalane for hydration. This sunscreen is also a clean one, as it’s vegan and cruelty-free.

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    Key Specs

    Type Mineral
    SPF 40
    Water-Resistant? No
    Headshot of Jenna Clark

    Jenna Clark is a freelance writer who covers commerce, travel, beauty, and lifestyle. Her work has been featured in Insider, the Daily Beast, Well+Good, and Best New Balance Shoes. When she's not reviewing the latest products or traveling, you can likely find her at a theme park or watching the latest Broadway show. 

    Headshot of Gabrielle Hondorp

    Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track. 

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