Discover The Best Sunscreen For Oily Skin

lady applying sunscreen

Finding the right sunscreen for oily skin can be a real challenge, especially when the texture of most sunscreens is just too thick and heavy, making your skin greasy, shiny, and prone to more breakouts. Fear not, with the sun making ever-frequent appearances, we’re here to help you in your quest for the best SPF for oily skin to minimise skin flare-ups and keep your skin clear and protected year-round.

When you’re prone to oily skin and acne, you’re super cautious over everything you put on your face, so why would sunscreen be any different? An essential year-round, but especially on sunny days, SPF needs to protect your skin both from UV rays and further breakouts. With this in mind, we’re here to help, offering hints and tips on what to avoid when choosing a new SPF and even sharing a few of our favourite sunscreens for oily, acne-prone skin.

lady putting sunscreen on her face

Opt For Non-Comedogenic SPF

Did you know that some sunscreens contain comedogenic ingredients that can clog pores and cause unwanted breakouts? If your skin is already oily and acne-prone, this is the last thing you need, so the best thing to look out for when hunting for a new SPF is that it’s non-comedogenic, lightweight, non-oily, and leaves no white cast.  

Avoid White Cast

Mineral sunscreens are often recommended for people with oil-prone skin but can sometimes leave a white cast or residue.

Accentuating shine, the white cast can make your skin appear shinier and greasier, highlighting your skin's texture and making any imperfections more noticeable. The white cast can also make it more difficult to apply and blend makeup evenly, making your skin look patchy and flaky. With this in mind, it’s always better to opt for a mineral SPF with a formula that blends seamlessly into your skin, leaving no trace or white cast.   

Lady applying sunscreen in the mirror


Our 6 Top Oily Skin SPF Picks

Armed with the hints and tips above, we’ve chosen five of our customer favourite sunscreens to help you discover the best sunscreen for pimple-prone skin and the best SPF for oily skin, along with a few others we love.

The One That Does It All

Boasting a high-factor SPF and colour-enriched fluid, this Heliocare 360 Colour Gel Oil Free SPF50 regulates sebum production making it ideal for combination and oily skin. Protecting your skin from UV rays, evening skin tone, and concealing imperfections, this oil-free gel-based SPF leaves your skin healthy, dry to touch and with a matte, shine-eliminating finish.

Concerned about imperfections and skin flare-ups? This coloured photoimmunoprotection-enriched sunscreen repairs redness, and camouflages imperfections without the need for additional makeup. Simply apply to your skin and go, revelling in the fact that your skin is clear, protected and flawless.

The One That Calms And Balances

Created for oily and combination skin, this Q+A Niacinamide SPF50 Balancing Facial Sunscreen features broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, keeping your skin safe and nourished.

Non-greasy and lightweight, this multi-purpose mineral niacinamide-enriched sunscreen rebalances oily skin, absorbing quickly and leaving no white cast to soothe your skin, leaving it hydrated, protected, and soothed.

lady with glowing skin

The One That Fits In Your Pocket

Perfect for on-the-go sun protection, this Beauty Of Joseon Matte Sun Stick Mugwort & Camelia has been specifically designed with oily skin in mind. Non-greasy and formulated with silica powder, it regulates oil production, leaving your skin smooth, hydrated and matte.

Smooth to apply without becoming clumpy or greasy, this sun stick is ideal for applying over makeup, smoothing the texture of your skin while nourishing and protecting against the sun’s UV rays.

The Ultra-Light One 

Lightweight, Avène Very High Protection Cleanance SPF50+ Sun Cream for Blemish-Prone Skin is an ultra-fluid formula specifically designed for sensitive, oily, and blemish-prone skin. It offers broad-spectrum protection against UVB, UVA rays, and even blue light (HEV). Plus, the anti-blemish formula helps reduce the appearance of blemishes and scars, leaving your skin looking clearer and smoother.

This water, sweat, and sand-resistant formula is perfect for daily use. It keeps your skin hydrated and protected for up to eight hours, making it a great choice for all your outdoor activities.

The Mattifying One

Lightweight and offering broad spectrum SPF30 protection, this Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF30 not only prevents shine but also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on oily and acne-prone skin.

Ultra-sheer and mattifying, this SPF is enriched with biotin, niacinamide, caffeine and oil absorbers ensuring that your skin stays oil-free and non-shiny all day, minimising breakouts and skin flareups while keeping you protected against UV damage.  

The Tinted, Oil Absorbing One

Infused with microscopic sponges and antioxidants, this Jan Marini Physical Protectant Tinted SPF45 gives amazing oil control, calming your skin while protecting it from UVA and UVB rays.

Water-resistant and weightless, this SPF is perfect for keeping oily skin safe in the sun, eliminating the need for makeup with its tinted formula. Evening your skin tone and absorbing excess oil, this SPF leaves your skin matte and clear and is perfect for use on its own to minimise stress on your skin or as a primer before makeup.

Shop The Post

Heliocare 360 Colour Gel Oil Free SPF 50 and packagingHeliocare 360 Colour Gel Oil Free SPF 50
Heliocare 360 Colour Gel Oil Free SPF 50

This oil-free formulation is suitable for normal, combination and oily skins whilst also covering imperfections and providing SPF 50+ protection.

From £26.40 £33.00 20% offsaving
View Product
Q+A Niacinamide SPF50 Balancing Facial Sunscreen
Q+A Niacinamide SPF50 Balancing Facial Sunscreen

£11.25 £15.00 25% offsaving
Dermatologist Recommended
Avène Very High Protection Cleanance SPF50+ Sun Cream for Blemish-prone skinAvène Very High Protection Cleanance SPF50+ Sun Cream for Blemish-prone skin
Avène Very High Protection Cleanance SPF50+ Sun Cream for Blemish-prone skin

Specifically formulated for sensitive, oily and blemish prone skin types, Avène’s Very High Protection Cleanance SPF50+ Sun Cream for Blemish-prone skin offers very high protection against UVB, UVA, Blue Light HEV and features a lightweight,...

£16.80 £21.00 20% offsaving
Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF30Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF30
Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF30

£44.00 £55.00 20% offsaving
Jan Marini Physical Protectant Tinted SPF 45Jan Marini Physical Protectant Tinted SPF 45
Jan Marini Physical Protectant Tinted SPF 45

Features a universal tint and microscopic sponges for additional oil control with a sheer, matte finish.

£56.00

Fascinated by the ever-growing world of SPF? Stick around a while longer and discover our VAT Burn Campaign With Amy Callaghan MP: The Fight For Sunscreen Accessibility.


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