Top 10 Best Facial Sunscreens for 2024: Expert Reviews and Recommendations
Nothing makes me happier than feeling the warm sun on my face, just like anyone else who loves the warmth. However, we are urging you to wear your facial sunscreen.
Why is facial sunscreen such a big deal, you ask?
Protecting our facial skin from the sun’s harmful rays isn’t just about preventing sunburns. Long-term sun exposure can lead to premature aging, dark spots, and, most importantly, skin cancer. The statistics are quite alarming – skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, but the good news is that it’s largely preventable with the right protection.
This is where your facial sunscreen routine comes in! Ensuring that you’re using a broad-spectrum facial sunscreen can protect against both UVA and UVB rays, the culprits behind most skin damage. UVA rays can prematurely age your skin, causing wrinkles and age spots, while UVB rays can burn your skin. Both types can contribute to skin cancer, which is why a broad-spectrum sunscreen is essential.
Niki from Namaste Skincare and Wellness is here to help us make the best choices for our skin. She has shared her favorite facial sunscreens that not only protect but also nourish your skin. In our next segment, we’ll dive into Niki’s top facial sunscreen recommendations that will keep you radiant and safe all summer long. Get ready to glow safely and confidently this summer!
Facial Sunscreens you need this summer
CULT FAVORITES:
This brand quickly became a favorite for medical professionals before they went consumer direct. Now, you can get professional grade sun protection at the click of a button. This formula is ultra hydrating and has niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to improve skin tone and texture. Most customers like that this nano zinc feels like a hydrating moisturizer, rather than your typical zinc sunscreens.
A clear, oil-free, unscented, weightless sunscreen that doesn't leave a white cast? Yes please! This formula is packed with antioxidants and literally feels like nothing on the skin. Many customers use this as a primer for makeup because of its weightless feel that blends beautifully into the skin.
This is a cult favorite and a great dupe for the Elta MD formula. It has skin boosting ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. With lightly tinted and non-tinted options, this sunscreen is great for just about everyone. I would not recommend this facial for darker skin tones due to the potential for a white cast.
TINTED SPF WITH SKINCARE BENEFITS:
Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
This skin tint has a wide range of pigments to match any skin tone. It offers a light, dewy coverage and has skin boosting ingredients like niacinamide, plant-based squalane and hyaluronic acid to hydrate, refine and rejuvenate while protecting the skin. TINTED, ACNE-SAFE and CLEAN INGREDIENTS.
Non-nano zinc blends beautifully into the skin, providing flawless mineral sun protection. It has hyaluronic acid, peptides and ceramides to plump and hydrate the skin. TINTED, ACNE-SAFE and CLEAN INGREDIENTS.
DRUGSTORE FINDS
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Sunscreen Dry Touch SPF 60
This brand goes above and beyond when it comes to hydrating formulas that are acne-safe and feel good on the skin. Due to its oil-absorbing properties, customers who are acne-prone love the matte feeling of this chemical-based product.
CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen with Sheer Tint SPF 30
This hydrating formula feels more like a tinted moisturizer and is great for sensitive skin types. CeraVe is a tried and true brand that has been helping customers with sensitive skin for decades. This formula also has niacinamide and ceramides to boost skin health.
This formula is hydrating and offers a high level of sun protection in conjunction with skincare ingredients. The fun thing about this product is that the cap is actually a measuring cup for the amount of SPF you should use in your facial application (at least ¼ tsp for face only).
BEST FOR DARKER SKIN TONES (No white cast)
Black Girl Sunscreen Make it Matte SPF 45
One of the biggest issues that customers with melanin-rich skin have with wearing daily SPF is that in the past, it has been nearly impossible to find a formula that doesn’t leave a white cast on the skin. Black Girl Sunscreen has you covered. Their products are vegan, reef-friendly, great under makeup and will never leave a white cast.
BODY SPF
Kopari Sun Shield Body Glow SPF 45
For our glitter lovers, this formula has gold or rose gold shimmer and is THE MOST FUN spf oil for the body. Not only is it antioxidant rich, but it is also hydrating and smells like summer vacation. This brand also has a SPF stick option for easy application or a spray option for easy re-application.
