Best Sunscreen for Oily Skin in 2024

If you have oily skin, it can be a challenge to find skincare products that don’t make your face feel greasy and like makeup is sliding off as soon as you step outside—and it can be even worse in the summer when extra sunscreen application is vital. While not all oily skin is acne-prone (and not all acne-prone skin is always oily), these two skin types can occur simultaneously and have one thing in common: excess sebum production. 

Sebum—the waxy substance produced from the oil glands in the skin—is great in small doses for keeping skin dewy and moisturized, but excess sebum can cause oily or greasy skin prone to clogged pores and acne. 

If you’ve got oily and/or acne-prone skin and have been on the hunt for a sunscreen that doesn’t make your skin feel greasy, we’ve got you covered, including a powdered brush-on sunscreen to soak up extra oil, SPF facial mist, tinted face sunscreen, and more.

Our Insider Picks

Overall Best Sunscreen for Oily Skin: Ghost Democracy Invisible Lightweight Daily Sunscreen

Runner-Up Best Sunscreen for Oily Skin: EltaMD UV Restore Broad-Spectrum

Best Tinted Sunscreen for Oily Skin: Clearstem YOUARESUNSHINE™

Best Powdered Brush-On Sunscreen for Oily Skin: Clearstem SUNNYSIDEKICK™

Best Face Sunscreen Spray for Oily Skin: Oars + Alps Face + Scalp Mist

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1. Overall Best Face Sunscreen for Oily Skin: Ghost Democracy Invisible Lightweight Daily Sunscreen (A+)

Ghost Democracy Invisible Lightweight Daily Sunscreen is one of the best sunscreens for oily skin types, as it is very lightweight, non-greasy, and non-toxic. Even though it’s 100% mineral, it does not leave any white cast and is easy to rub in. It sits well under makeup, does not slide off your face or get oily, and is non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores. It’s also rated a green “1” by the EWG and contains skin-supporting ingredients like niacinamide and turmeric. 

SPF & Ingredients

Ghost Democracy is a stellar skincare brand that is committed to using natural, non-toxic, and non-hormone-disrupting ingredients—and its sunscreen is no exception. 

For this reason, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) rated Ghost Democracy Lightweight Daily Sunscreen a “1” on a scale of 1-10, the next best option after EWG Verified. 

According to Ghost Democracy, this sunscreen contains “no chemical sunscreens, no silicones, no essential oils, no drying alcohols, no added fragrance, no phthalates, no parabens, no mineral oil, no synthetic dyes, no propylene glycol, no formaldehyde, no MEA, DEA, TEA, no PEG compounds, no EDTAN.” 

Here are some of the key ingredients in this Ghost Democracy sunscreen and what they do: 

• 20.0% Zinc Oxide (Non-Nano Clear): Most mineral sunscreens are made of zinc oxide, which provides skin with physical, broad-spectrum sun protection from UVA and UVB rays.
• 4.0% Niacinamide: A derivative of niacin (vitamin B3), niacinamide strengthens the skin’s natural moisture barrier, soothes skin, and minimizes the appearance of pores.
• 1.5% Artichoke Leaf Extract: Rich in antioxidants, this unique extract helps reduce the appearance of pores and fine lines.
• 1.3% Turmeric Extract: This antioxidant-packed root helps brighten the appearance of dull skin.

The complete list of inactive ingredients is:

Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Niacinamide, Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Glycerin, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sucrose Palmitate-Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Saccharide Isomerate, Sucrose Laurate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Phytate

This sunscreen does not contain comedogenic (pore-clogging) ingredients, making it safe for people with oily or acne-prone skin.

However, while SPF 33 is above the recommended amount of SPF 30, it may be a tad low for people with fair skin.

Product Experience

As an acne-prone girl with combination skin, finding a non-toxic face sunscreen that didn’t break me out and was not too heavy was a struggle in the past. I seriously enjoy using this Ghost Democracy Invisible Lightweight Sunscreen—the name says it all, as it is definitely invisible and lightweight. 

Even though it’s 100% mineral, there is no white cast on my skin (I’m a Fitzpatrick Skin Type 3), and it absorbs quickly and easily—almost like a light moisturizer. It’s not greasy, doesn’t make my skin shiny, and even sits well under makeup. Overall, I highly recommend this sunscreen for people with oily or acne-prone skin. 

However, while the pump format is easier to use, I wonder if a lot of sunscreen is left behind at the end. With a tube, you are better able to squeeze every last drop—and at this price, I certainly wouldn’t want to waste any.

Value

Ghost Democracy Invisible Lightweight Sunscreen costs $35 for a 1.7-oz pump container, which is over $20/ounce. However, we do consider the high-quality ingredients, additional skin-supportive compounds, and botanical extracts (like turmeric and niacinamide).

2. Runner-Up Best Sunscreen for Oily Skin: EltaMD UV Restore Broad-Spectrum (A+)

EltaMD UV Restore Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 is our runner-up for the best sunscreen for oily skin. It’s 100% mineral, non-comedogenic (not pore-clogging), lightweight, not greasy, and does not leave a white cast. It also has several skin-supporting ingredients, including antioxidants and humectants for moisture. However, it’s very pricey.

SPF & Ingredients

This sunscreen from EltaMD is one of their few 100% mineral products, using a combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection at SPF 40.

The EWG rated this sunscreen a “2,” which is still in the green low-risk category but not as good as Ghost Democracy.

The full ingredient list is as follows:

Active Ingredients: 15.0% Zinc oxide, 2.0% Titanium Dioxide; Inactive Ingredients: Water, CocoCaprylate/Caprate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Silica, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Phenoxyethanol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Glycerin, Saccharide Isomerate, Glyceryl Behenate, Xanthan Gum, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sclerotium gum, Lecithin, Pullulan, Dimethicone, Polysorbate 60, Ethylene/Methacrylate Copolymer, Mica.

Some of the key skin-supportive ingredients in this sunscreen include:

• Ginger: An anti-inflammatory root that helps minimize the appearance of redness, discoloration, and dark spots and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 
• Saccharide Isomerate: A sugar-based compound that minimizes the appearance of dark spots from urban pollution, soothes irritated skin, and acts as a humectant (binds moisture).
• Antioxidants: Vitamins C and E combat free radicals in the skin from UV radiation and other oxidative stress. 
• Squalane: Plant-derived squalane restores the skin’s natural moisture.

Product Experience

I really enjoyed this EltaMD sunscreen, and found it absorbed quickly and did not leave any oily, greasy, or white-cast residue (as many physical sunscreens do). This sunscreen comes in a pump container, which is a little challenging to get out the first time (takes many pumps to get it to come out) and you may not be able to get all of the sunscreen out towards the end. Overall, I recommend this sunscreen for people with oily or acne-prone skin.

Value

EltaMD UV Restore Broad Spectrum sunscreen costs $45 for 1.7 ounces, which is over $26 per ounce—very pricey for a tiny container.

3. Best Tinted Sunscreen for Oily Skin: Clearstem YOUARESUNSHINE™ (A)

Clearstem YOUARESUNSHINE™ is our top choice for a tinted face sunscreen for oily skin. It has a high SPF of 50, is 100% mineral, has a blurring effect with the tint, and has green tea and gotu kola to calm inflammation. However, it requires some “setting time” to absorb thoroughly; otherwise, makeup will not sit well. 

SPF & Ingredients

This Clearstem tinted sunscreen has SPF 50, is broad-spectrum, and is 100% mineral. It also contains green tea, rosemary, and gotu kola (an anti-inflammatory plant that may improve blood circulation). 

While the EWG has not rated this sunscreen, it does not have any chemical sunscreen ingredients, which is a plus. I also personally looked up each ingredient in the EWG database, and almost all are rated as green “1s,” with a few green “2s”.

The only ingredient that was higher (a yellow “5”) was Citrus nobilis (Mandarin/Orange) Peel Oil, which has concerns as a human immune system toxicant or allergen when inhaled. However, this is not a spray sunscreen, so it won’t be inhaled. Plus, products with this ingredient are ​​still allowed to be EWG Verified. 

Here is the full ingredient list: 

21% Zinc Oxide, Water (Aqua), Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Equisetum arvense (Horsetail) Extract, Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) Extract, Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Extract, Camellia sinensis (Green Tea) Extract, Olea europaea (Olive) Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Phytate, Citrus nobilis (Mandarin/Orange) Peel Oil, Carthamus tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) Oil, Silica, Mica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Oxy CA (Rosmarinus officinalis Leaf CO2 Extract and Ascorbyl Palmitate and Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride and Ascorbic Acid and Tocopherol and Citric Acid), Iron Oxides

Overall, this Clearstem mineral sunscreen has great ingredients that are not suspected to be harmful to human health or the environment.

Product Experience

This is a great choice for a tinted mineral sunscreen that works for oily skin. The slight tint works well with my skin tone, and reviewers with fairer and darker skin tones also say it blends well and looks natural. It’s not greasy and provides a light “blurring” effect, so many people use this instead of makeup or foundation. One downside is that it takes time to absorb into my skin thoroughly. I would give it at least 10 minutes to soak in before going outside, sweating in any way, or putting on makeup. Like Ghost Democracy, this container is also a pump format, so I worry about wasting sunscreen that you can’t get to.

Value

Clearstem YOUARESUNSHINE costs $42 for 2.1 ounces or $20 per ounce. This is pretty pricey, but I think it’s worth it, and it also lasts quite a while.

4. Best Powdered Sunscreen for Oily Skin: Clearstem SUNNYSIDEKICK™ (A)

This powdered mineral-based sunscreen Clearstem SUNNYSIDEKICK™ is the perfect way to reapply sunscreen throughout the day. It absorbs excess oil, doesn’t get sunscreen on your hands, is easily transportable in your purse or car, and has skin-supportive ingredients like caffeine, green tea, and resveratrol.

SPF & Ingredients

Clearstem SUNNYSIDEKICK™ is SPF 30 (perhaps a little low for some) and 100% mineral, using zinc oxide (24.5%) and titanium dioxide (23%). 

The full ingredient list is: 

Active Ingredients: 24.5% Zinc Oxide, 23.0% Titanium Dioxide Inactive ingredients: silica, mica, nylon-12, methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, caprylic/capric triglycerides, acrylates copolymer, resveratrol, calcium hydroxyapatite, camellia sinensis leaf extract, undecylenoyl glycine, caffeine, chamomilla recutita (Matricaria) flower extract, tocopherol, potassium sorbate, capryloyl glycine, sodium benzoate, iron oxides (CI 77499, CI 77492, CI 77491)

It also has skin-supporting ingredients and botanical extracts like green tea, resveratrol, and caffeine, which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, or calming properties.

This sunscreen is not rated on EWG either, but the ingredients all pass the test with green “1s” or “2s.”  

Product Experience

I love using this powdered sunscreen as a touch-up throughout the day. It’s perfect to pop in your purse or bag to easily reapply sunscreen without getting your hands messy or ruining your makeup. The powder form is especially beneficial for oily skin, as it acts like a little makeup touch-up with oil-absorbing ingredients.  

It’s supposed to work like this: you tap the end with the sunscreen, and the powder comes through little holes in the brush component. However, I’ve found that the holes get clogged easily, and this stops working, so I have to unscrew the jar part from the brush and manually dip the brush into the sunscreen component. It’s not a huge deal, but it does limit its on-the-go usability. 

This probably shouldn’t be your only facial sunscreen (you should use a full-coverage liquid one in the morning), but it’s ideal for touching up and reapplying throughout the day. This is because it’s a little challenging to know for sure if you’ve completely reapplied. To be safe, you could do a double application of the powder. 

Value

This sunscreen is $38.50 for 0.14 ounces. Although this sounds expensive, we can’t really compare it on an ounce-to-ounce basis like liquid sunscreens because it’s a powder. It also lasts an extremely long time, especially if you don’t need to use it daily. However, it’s often sold out, so stock up if you like it! 

5. Best Face Sunscreen Spray for Oily Skin: Oars + Alps Face + Scalp Mist (B+)

I like the Oars + Alps Face + Scalp Mist as a face sunscreen spray (or scalp spray) for oily skin. Although it is not mineral-based, it does not use the most harmful of the chemical sunscreen ingredients. It’s affordable, not greasy, and has many additional skin-supporting ingredients. However, it can be drying from the alcohol denat, so it may not be great for people with sensitive skin.

SPF & Ingredients

This sunscreen is the only one on the list that is not mineral-based. 

The chemical sunscreen ingredients in this facial mist are (with their EWG rating):

• Avobenzone: 1-2 (green)
• Homosalate: 2-4 (green/yellow)
• Octisalate: 3-5 (yellow)
• Octocrylene: 1-2 (green) 

Although these grades are mostly fine—and it doesn’t use the two “worst” chemical sunscreen ingredients (oxybenzone and octinoxate)—some people still like to avoid all of them. 

Here is the full ingredient list:

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone – 2.9%, Homosalate – 8.0%, Octisalate – 4.9%, Octocrylene – 6.2%. Inactive Ingredients: Alcohol Denat., Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Bisabolol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caffeine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Cladonia Stellaris Extract (Alpine Caribou Moss), Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Seed Oil, Ethyl Ferulate, Fragrance, Fructose, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Lauroyl Lysine, Nylon-12, Polyester-8, PVP, Silica Caprylyl Silylate, Tocopherol, Water, Withania Somnifera Root Extract.

I like that the product page describes why each ingredient is included in its sunscreen (if you hover over each ingredient). It’s also vegan, cruelty-free, and Hawaii Act 104 Reef Compliant. 

Some extra skin-supporting ingredients are aloe vera, ashwagandha, caffeine, green tea, chamomile, cucumber, and alpine caribou moss—a Finnish lichen with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that promotes skin elasticity. 

However, one ingredient that I don’t love in skincare is alcohol denat, which is usually used as a solvent or to help ingredients penetrate the skin. It can be very drying and irritating, especially at high concentrations—which this might be, as it’s the first inactive ingredient listed. If you have super oily skin, you may want the extra drying, but keep that in mind if you are prone to dryness and irritation or have sensitive skin.

Product Experience

This is a good on-the-go sunscreen for both the face and scalp. When spraying on the scalp, it gets your hair wet for a minute or two, then dries and doesn’t look greasy, but you can tell there’s something there. I probably wouldn’t want to use it on my scalp if I had my hair freshly washed and done, but it would certainly work great on a hike or other outdoor activity.

It comes out as a fine mist that sprays evenly on the face, but one downside is the alcohol smell from the alcohol denat. It also tastes like alcohol if you get it on your lips, so I’d recommend curling your lips inward before spraying it on your face. (And, obviously, close your eyes!)

Value

At $16 for 1.5 ounces, this sunscreen is one of the more affordable ones. Although it’s only 1.5oz, it seems to last a while, especially if you only use it for touchup reapplications. 

Oily Skin Sunscreens FAQs