When choosing a sunblock for my face, I consider several important factors. First, and most importantly it must protect against both UVB and UVA rays. UVB rays cause most burning, but protecting against UVA rays is just as important. UVA rays are the ones that penetrate deeply into the skin and cause cellular damage and wrinkles, so it is especially important that any sunscreen I use on my face has good UVA protection. I also demand a high enough SPF for good sun protection for my face. Most professionals consider 30 SPF adequate for everyday use. Higher is better for extreme conditions or very sensitive skin.
In addition, I want more than just a sunblock in my face protection. I want something that will do double duty and moisturize my face while protecting it from the sun. Anti-oxidants are also ingredients I look for in my face sunblock for their anti-aging properties. Finally, I want to know it feels good, absorbs well, and doesn’t have an unpleasant scent or any skin irritants. With these criteria in mind I searched out the best sunblocks for the face, carefully looking at ingredients and reading lots of product reviews.
Here is my list of the best sunblocks for the face. This list includes products to fit a wide variety of skin types and budgets.
Best Sunblock for the Face – Daily Use, High End
Pur-lisse Pur-protect SPF 30 Essential Daily Moisturizer
Pur-lisse Pur-protect is formulated with lupine peptides, soy proteins, sea extracts, white tea, and vitamin E for superior skin nourishment and antioxidant protection. Pur-protect has full-spectrum SPF 30 protection with Avobenzone (2.0%) and Oxybenzone (4.0%) for UVA protection and Homosalate (6.5%), Octinoxate (7.5%), and Octisalate (5.0%) for UVB protection.
Consumers rate Pur-protect as one of the best facial sunscreens, noting it is lightweight, absorbs easily, is great under makeup, and provides superb moisture all day with no greasy after feel. Pur-lisse contains no parabens, petrochemicals, or synthetic colors or fragrances. It is especially useful for those with dry skin and for use in dry, harsh and windy environments. It is priced at $55.00 for 1.7 oz. and is available at several online merchants including purlisse.com and beauty.com.
Runner Up: MD Skincare Powerful Sun Protection SPF 30
This sunblock for the face is excellent for those prone to break-outs. Light enough for daily use, MD Skincare SPF 30 contains full spectrum sunscreen protection with Avobenzone (3%) and Oxybenzone (5%) for UVA protection and Octinoxate (7.5%) and Octisalate (7.5%) for UVB protection.
Unique formulation includes chelators that encapsulates iron left on the skin by tap water and perspiration, binding it and preventing it from causing collagen breakdown in the sun and reducing DNA damage. MD Skincare claims chelators also prevent clogged pores and breakouts. In addition, this sunblock for the face is fortified with antioxidants including green tea and vitamins A, C, and E. Available online at beauty sites such as Sephora.com and at department store beauty counters at an average price of $42.00 for 5 oz.
Best Sunblock for the Face – Daily Use, Moderate Price
Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Ageless Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 UVA/UVB
Aveeno Positively Ageless moisturizer with SPF 30 is a great mid-priced daily sunblock for the face. It has full-spectrum sunscreen protection with avobenzone (3%) and oxybenzone (3%) for UVA rays and Homosalate (12%), Octisalate (5%), and Octocrylene (1.7%) for UVB rays. It also contains a natural shiitake complex for combating signs of aging. Lightweight, non-comodegenic and dermatologist tested. Easily found in drug and grocery stores for an average price of $20 for 2.5 oz.
Runner Up: Olay Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer SPF 30
This Olay moisturizer is broad spectrum with avobenzone (3%) for UVA protection and UVB protectors Homosalate (8.0%), Octocrylene (2.25%), and Ensulizole (2.0%). It is also fortified with B-complex vitamins, Vitamin E, green tea extract and Aloe. Priced at $15.00 for 2.5 oz, it is widely available at drug and grocery stores.
Best Sunblock for the Face – Daily Use, Budget
Alba Green Tea SPF 30
Alba Green Tea SPF 30 has lots of features that make it a terrific value for a daily-use face sunblock. Like other more expensive sunscreens for the face, it has full-spectrum protection with Avobenzone (3.0%) and Oxybenzone (6.0%) for UVA rays and a combination of Homosalate 5.0%, Octisalate 5.0%, and Octinoxate (7.5%) for UVB protection.
Users love it because it is lightweight, non-greasy, paraben-free, and doesn’t cause breakouts. Fortified with green tea extract, Vitamin E, and natural botanicals it also has good anti-oxidant properties. It has a fresh, fruity scent that many love. This budget sunblock for the face is priced at under $10 for 4 oz. and found in natural food and vitamin stores as well as online.
Runner Up: Kiss My Face Factor SPF 30
Another good value is this facial sunscreen. Kiss My Face Factor is a paraben-free sunblock with full-spectrum sun protection. Kiss My Face contains avobenzone (2.5%) and titanium dioxide (1.7%) for UVA rays and Ethyhexyl Methoxycinnamate (6.5%) and Ethylhexyl Salicylate (4.0%) for UVB rays. Fortified with green tea extract, shitake extracts, linoleic esters, and oat protein it provides good anti-oxidant and moisturizing properties. Sensitive skin users love this as well. Priced at around $10 for 2 oz, it is a reasonably priced choice in sunblocks for the face. Easily found in many natural groceries or online.
Best Sunblock for the Face – Oily Skin
Blue Lizard Face SPF 30
Consumers with oily skin love Blue Lizard Face sunblock. Active ingredients include Zinc Oxide (8.8%) for UVA and Octinoxate (5.5%) for UVB. It is oil-free, remains shine-free when applied, and doesn’t exacerbate acne problems. Also contains the anti-oxidants green tea extract and Vitamin E, as well as hyaluronic acid for oil-free moisture retention. At less than $15 for 5 ounces, Blue Lizard is also a good value. It is available in drug stores or at online retailers such as Drugstore.com.
Runner-up: Hawaiian Tropic Sunblock Oil-Free Faces SPF 30
Acne-prone users also tout this sunblock for the face as great for oily skin. It has full-spectrum UV protection with Avobenzone/Oxybenzone for UVA and Homosalate, Octocrylene, and Octisalate for UVB. Also contains anti-oxidant vitamins A, C, & E. This sunblock can be found in many stores and is available at various online retailers such as drugstore.com for less than $10.00 for 4 ounces.
Best Sunblock for the Face-Sensitive Skin/Children
Mustela Bebe High Protection SPF 50
For the very fair-skinned with sensitive skin or for children’s faces Mustela bebe sun lotion is a great choice. It contains a new-generation of micronized titanium dioxide (11.1%) and zinc oxide (5%) for strong UVA and UVB protection. It is fragrance- free and contains no chemical sunscreens to minimize any potential allergic reactions. Gentle enough for use around the eyes. Users report it can leave a whitish tint, so best for the fair skinned. Priced at around $15.00 for 1.6 ounces, Mustela bebe is available through various online retailers such as drugstore.com.
Best Sunblock for the Face-Sport/Water
Ocean Potion Clear Zinc Oxide Face SPF 45
When in the water or engaged in active sports, Ocean Potion Clear Zinc Oxide provides long-lasting full-spectrum sun protection with oxybenzone and zinc oxide for UVA protection and Octinoxate, Octisalate and Octocrylene for UVB protection. The micro formulation dries clear and provides strong water-resistance. Works on lips as well as the rest of your face and is hypo-allergenic, fragrance-free and non-greasy. Priced at $4.00 for a one ounce tin, you can find this online at drugstore.com and other online retailers.
Best Sunblock for the face – Organic
Dessert Essence Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
It can be difficult to find a sunscreen for the face with no chemical sunscreens and organic ingredients, but Dessert Essence fits the bill with zinc and titanium dioxide for UVA/UVB protection. It is 100% vegan and biodegradable, and contains no parabens, petroleum-based ingredients, or artificial fragrances or colors. Dessert Essence Mineral Sunscreen is also fortified with certified-organic oils and anti-oxidants including grape seed, pomegranate extract, and Vitamin C & E. Priced at $15 for 3 oz., this is an affordable, environmental-friendly sunblock for the face.
Best Sunblock for the Face – Men
Tio2 Sunblock SPF 30
Specially formulated for guys, Tio2 Sunblock is a good sunblock for everyday use on men’s skin. UVA/UVB protection is provided by titanium dioxide. Contains aloe, allantoin, and chamomile for soothing irritated shaved skin. Also contains green tea and vitamin E for antioxidant protection. Men like it for its ultra-light, oil-free formulation, as well as its good absorbability and moisturizing properties. Priced at $31 for 4 ounces, Tio2 is available online at menscience.com.
Runner Up:K2 Endurance Sunblock SPF 30
K2 Endurance provides complete broad spectrum protection with Avobenzone (3%) and Oxybenzone (6%) for UVA protection and Homosalate (15%) and Octocrylene (6%) for UVB protection. Good protection when heavily perspiring while working out. Also great for high-altitude sports like skiing. This facial sunblock for men is available in specialty ski shops or online at various retailers including drugstore.com.
After doing this research, I have found a couple new sunblocks for my face that I am eager to try out. Hopefully you will find a sunscreen to protect your face from this list as well! Also check out my article on the best 45+ SPF sunblocks.
Sources: Buzzillions.com, Pur-lisse website, Sephora website, Drugstore.com, Olay website, Alba Botanica website, Kiss My Face website, Mustela USA website, Menscience.com
