Along with its completely clear finish, the cream is laced with moisturizing jojoba and antioxidant-enriched avocado and cacao oils. If you have oily skin, there’s a matte version that doesn’t feel greasy and will keep shine down. If you prefer mineral protection, try Make It Hybrid, which combines chemical and mineral ingredients.
“This feels a lot like a good moisturizer that happens to also have SPF in it,” says Glamour contributor Nykia Spradley. She adds that the cream comes out white but turns clear without a lot of rubbing needed. “There’s also a newer version that’s vanilla-scented, which I love since I don’t really like the smell of traditional sunscreens.”
Best Drugstore Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin: Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Lotion
- What we love: No white cast, non-greasy finish, not too thick
- What can improve: Too dewy-looking for oily skin types
Sensitive skin needs extra shielding from the sun, but some sunscreen ingredients can cause irritation. Aveeno’s Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Lotion, which comes recommended by Sheila Farhang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, does the opposite. It protects from UVA and UVB rays, while also sealing moisture into skin and calming irritation with its oat oil, extract, and flour trio.
“This ultra-lightweight formula is a dream if you’re looking for a sunscreen lotion that’ll keep your skin really hydrated. It has a glossy, milky formula that doesn’t feel greasy and sinks right in. I found it to be extra useful on areas where my skin was really dry, and it also helped eliminate some redness around my nose. I wouldn’t go for this if you have a very oily complexion, but it’s great if you just need a boost of creamy hydration with your sun protection,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
Best Drugstore Sunscreen for Dry Skin: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Mineral Sunscreen For Face & Body
- What we love: Fragrance-free; matte finish; absorbed fast
- What can improve: Leaves a white cast
Sunscreen can leave a sticky or greasy film on the skin, but the Dry-Touch tech here protects without feeling heavy or sticky. That’s no easy task, considering it ’s a mineral SPF, which can leave a grittiness behind. Zeichner says that face and body sunscreens are interchangeable, but if you’re squeamish about slathering a thick body sunscreen all over your forehead, know that this product is specially formulated to work well on both.
“I like the consistency of this sunscreen. It’s not as thick and gloppy as some other mineral sunscreens, so you can spread it easily, making it a suitable choice for both the face and the body,” says Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley, “I wouldn’t call it ‘Ultra Sheer,’ since it does leave some white cast even on my relatively pale skin, but it absorbs without any tackiness and offers ample sun protection. I recently spent a week in the blazing Florida sun, and I attribute this lotion to keeping me and my family burn-free.”
Best Drugstore Sunscreen for Oily Skin: CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
- What we love: Moisturizing, non-greasy
- What can improve: Can irritate eyes
Many sunscreens have a natural greasiness that doesn’t work well for oily and shiny skin. CeraVe, however, topped off its barely-there moisturizer with a protective SPF 30, moisture-restoring hyaluronic acid, and ceramides to keep skin from drying out too much.
“This CeraVe sunscreen formula is silky to the touch and doesn’t smell overly sunscreen-y, which I like. It slid right onto my face and added a nice layer of hydration, though it took a few minutes to dry down. I did notice that it pilled a bit when I layered makeup on top (but only in a few areas), otherwise it kept my skin matte all day long,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
Best Drugstore Sunscreen for Combination Skin: Eucerin Sun Advanced Hydration Face SPF 50
- What we love: Lightweight; non-greasy
- What can improve: Can leave a slight white tint on deeper skin tones
Dr. Zeichner recommends this newer option that’s loaded with moisturizing ingredients than some of the other options. The ultra-light fluid rubs in without leaving the skin feeling heavy or greasy,” he says. He also points out that the chemical formula’s blend of five antioxidants “has been shown to defend against free radical damage associated with exposure to long wave UVA and visible light.”
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