Sunscreen is an essential part of any skincare routine no matter how hot or cold the day is. Even if you think the sun won't shine on you, putting it on is a must. However, people with oily skin might think that sunscreen will feel like an extra weight that adds grease to the face. To add to this, it can even leave white casts on the skin. Don't worry, as not all sunscreens are created the same!
If you are currently using one you don't like, maybe you haven't found the right one for your skin. Your perfect sunscreen might just be waiting to be added to your cart, and we might have it on our top 10 list! In this article, we will also share a guide with comments from Dermatologist, Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz to help you get the best sunscreen that is made for oily skin.
Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz is the face behind Ask Your Derma. She is a board-certified dermatologist in Metro Manila. She is also an educator and digital creator on all things skin, hair, and nails. She is a Diplomate of the Philippine Dermatological Society and offers online video consultations. You can also catch her on her Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channel.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
Buying guides reviewed by featured experts.
Products or services listed have been independently ranked by the mybest Editorial Team based on the points mentioned in our thoroughly researched buying guide as of 01-16-2023. Experts featured in this article did not participate in the selection and ranking process.
People might think that we only need to apply sunscreen whenever we're at the beach or outdoors, but that is not true. Sunscreen should be worn every day for our skin's protection. Aside from guarding your skin against sunburns, sunscreen also prevents premature aging. Proper and regular use can decrease the appearance of wrinkles and leathery skin as well.
Most importantly, applying sunscreen shields our face from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that can cause skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancers are often caused by too much exposure to UV rays. Sunscreen is a helpful preventive measure and is part of a skin cancer protection plan.
Here are some points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Sunscreens are made to block and shield our skin from UV rays. Finding a broad-spectrum sunscreen means that the sunscreen can protect you from 2 different kinds of UV rays: UVA and UVB. UVA manifests long-term skin damage while UVB is faster and results in sunburns. Sun Protection Factor or SPF is also the key to finding a better sunscreen.
SPF tells you how long you have until the UV rays affect your skin if the product is used properly. However, this gives a false sense of security, so make sure to still reapply the sunscreen. A dermatologist working with the Skin Cancer Foundation advises that the ideal sunscreen should be broad-spectrum with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Sunscreens come in 2 different types, mineral and chemical. The two types work differently, but they are formulated to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, sunburn, and signs of aging. Although there are no studies that support how one can be better than the other, let's enumerate some of their key characteristics below.
Mineral sunscreens or physical sunscreens are sunscreens that sit on the surface of your skin. They physically prevent any UV rays from penetrating your skin barrier. With ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, this type of sunscreen has small particles that act as a shield. Mineral sunscreens are often thicker and are suitable for those with sensitive skin.
Chemical sunscreens allow UV light into the skin. The sunscreen creates a chemical reaction that converts the absorbed UV light to heat before it disperses. This sunscreen is quick and easy to apply with no white casts. But because they are full of chemicals, they can cause allergic reactions. It is better to first test this product on a small patch of skin before applying it to your face.
Gel-based sunscreens are becoming more popular for being non-sticky and non-greasy. They're lightweight and easy to apply to your skin. It even feels soft and has a matte finish. This is the best sunscreen for oily skin because it isn't thick and wouldn't clog your pores. However, they have poor water resistance and would need to be reapplied more often.
Like gel-based sunscreens, stick sunscreens are gaining traction because it is easy to carry everywhere. It's typically used to target specific areas but can be applied to the whole face. They're also more long-lasting and water-resisting than any other formulation. The wax in the stick helps creates a thick film of protection that wouldn't budge from your face.
Another sunscreen formulation that's slowly gaining popularity is aerosols or sprays. They're very easy to apply and reapply whenever you need to. It does give you a bit of shine because they are oil-based. However, experts caution against the use of this sunscreen because people might inhale the chemicals from the product. You can also possibly miss some areas of your skin when spraying.
Sunscreen is usually labeled for you to know where it should be used. Some sunscreens are just for the face or just for the body, while some can be used for both. Always check if your sunscreen can be used for your face because it might not have the gentle formulation you want. You can also opt for face and body sunscreens so that they can be more convenient for you.
Sunscreens are available in various formulas. Many sunscreens are made to target different skin types and are designed for a specific application. Some variations even have extra ingredients to make your sunscreen multipurpose. The different formulations include emulsions, gels, balms, oil-based, and aerosols.
Emulsion sunscreens are the most common type available on the market. These are the lotions and creams that we often use. They contain skincare ingredients that help condition the skin. Some are moisturizing, anti-aging, and full of anti-oxidants. However, this type of sunscreens can be unstable and separate in the bottle. Make sure to shake it well before application.
Supergoop!'s Unseen Sunscreen is a holy grail product for those with oily skin. It's the original weightless and invisible sunscreen. It was developed to be an antioxidant-rich multitasker that is scentless and oil-free. It leaves a velvet finish that can even replace your makeup primer and feels non-greasy & soothing for oilier skin.
If you hate the feeling of sunscreen, this is a highly recommended product. With how light the formula is, you wouldn't even remember that it was there! Its weightlessness is also why it's recommended for those with oily skin. It's a great everyday sunscreen that can effectively protect you from harmful UV rays.
Farmskin's Fresh Food Avocado Cica Soothing Sun Stick is a sunscreen that deserves more hype. It's a sun stick that can soothe and soften tired skin. It's also a product that has a triple effect of sunblock, brightening, and anti-wrinkle. Aside from this, it contains Centella Asiatica extract that makes oily skin clean and fresh.
With it being in stick form, this is perfect for people who are active and are always on the go. It's easy to carry and reapply whenever you need to. It's suitable for those with oily, sensitive skin because the product does not leave a white cast and has a pleasant finish without any greasiness.
Bioderma is a French pharmacy staple that always gives the best results. Their Photoderm MAX Aquafluide is a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 50+. With their cellular bioprotection, they formulated this product to be non-comedogenic and scentless— perfect for oily skin! This sunscreen is also non-greasy, oil-free, and has anti-shine technology.
This product is ideal for those who have sensitive skin as well. This sunscreen helps keep moisture on the face while looking matte. It has a light fluid application that protects your cells and prevents premature aging. It also has a waterproof formula, which makes it safe for marine life.
Bioré's sunscreen has been consistently recognized for being a light textured water-resistant essence. With a new formula, it has upped its UVB protection to PA++++, the highest achievable metric. It's a formula that glides on smoothly and helps textured skin. It's also colorless and is a great makeup base.
If you love multitasking products, this sunscreen is a great option. This water essence is non-greasy and can double as a skin primer. It has hyaluronic acid that helps hydrate and plump the skin. Moreover, it cools the face because of its lightness and gel texture.
La Roche-Posay is a French brand that always delivers simple but effective skincare products. With their Anthelios Shaka Ultra Light Facial Sun Cream, they created a light daily sunscreen that has an invisible finish. The broad-spectrum sunscreen is fragrance-free to make it more suitable for those with sensitive skin.
With its weightlessness, it's a product that would allow your pores to breathe. It's also non-comedogenic, which makes it great for people with oily skin. It is a highly recommended product for those who don't want a shiny zone. Because it is not a greasy sunscreen, it doesn't add unnecessary shine to the face.
Cetaphil is a brand associated with gentle and dermatologist-tested products. Their Sun SPF 50+ Light Gel has a nice light texture that glides over the face. It is very capable of protecting you from both UVA and UVB rays. The product is water-resistant and is suitable for oily sensitive skin.
Cetaphil products are always a good idea for red and irritated skin. As a fragrance-free and non-comedogenic product, this sunscreen is a great buy for people whose skin gets easily irritated. It does not feel greasy and would not feel heavy on the face. Plus, its Photostable UV filters offer extra protection against UV damage.
Neutrogena is a drugstore favorite because of its affordability and great products. With their Ultrasheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen, they proved once again why they have a following that trusts their products. The sunscreen features Helioplex technology that ensures sun protection that wouldn't fail you. The dry-touch technology helps with keeping your face shine-free.
This product is something you should buy if you want a sunscreen that your skin can easily absorb. It might feel thick at first, but it thins out as you apply it. It is also oil-free and non-comedogenic, so your oily skin would be fine with this product.
Rihanna's Fenty Beauty was such a success that it was no surprise when she came out with Fenty Skin. One of the first three products that were released was Hydra Vizor Invisible Sunscreen Moisturizer. It is a sunscreen that doubles as a moisturizer to help protect and hydrate your skin. It's a great product for oily skin because it is a non-greasy solution that doesn't feel heavy.
It feels great underneath makeup; this product is a great option for those who want a smooth and radiant finish. It also has a heavenly dessert melon scent that would make you want to reapply. But with that said, those with sensitive skin should test this product out first because of the presence of fragrance.
Dr. Dennis Gross' All Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense is a daily sunscreen that protects your skin from damage and aging. It's a broad-spectrum sunscreen that helps prevent wrinkles and fine lines. It is zinc-based, which makes it a gentle and reef-safe physical sunscreen. The formula is also oil-free and lightweight.
Go for this product if you prefer a physical sunscreen that can block all the harmful UV rays. It is also recommended for those with oily, sensitive skin because its gentle formula gives it less chance of irritating your skin and clogging your pores. It contains antioxidants like lingonberry and sea buckthorn to help prevent skin damage.
This is probably the easiest sunscreen to recognize because it has been a beach staple for a long time. With it having 100++ SPF, Beach Hut's Max 100 Lotion is a sunscreen we're all familiar with. Their beloved formula is a quick-drying sunblock that is not oily or greasy on the skin. However, it's not transparent and produces some white cast.
This is the best product for those who love going to the beach because it offers ultimate protection against the harsh sun. While you can still get tanned, you can trust that you will not be harmed by the UV rays. It also prevents sunburns with proper use, application, and reapplications.
We know that having oily skin is already very dyahe. So to help you even further, Dr. Katrina answers some of the most asked questions of people with oily skin and their sunscreen woes.
If you're out and about, exposed to the sun, then yes! Reapplication of sunscreen is ideally every 2 hours and immediately after sweating, swimming, toweling off, or bathing.
This makes up for the possible inadequate application of sunscreen the first time around and also provides coverage for sunscreen that may have been wiped off or removed by sweating.
In general, even you have oily skin, you can benefit from a moisturizer. Sometimes having oily skin is a cry for hydration. One thing you can do is to use a moisturizer with SPF or a moisturizing sunscreen. Remember, there are no hard and fast rules in skincare. At the end of the day, listen to your skin.
If ideal conditions allow it, I'd recommend washing your face first then reapplying the sunscreen. Realistically speaking, you can blot your face with blotting paper to remove oily residue then use sunscreen powder with at least SPF30 (yes, they are a thing!) or a foundation with SPF.
Aside from daily skincare use, sunscreen is something you should carry around for an outing at the beach. But when it comes to sun protection, sunscreen is only one layer of defense. You need other tools in order to keep your skin safe from the harsh UV rays that the sun emits. Check out the articles below for more guides and recommendations.
Author: Angelica Sy
Editor: Ayeza Mangulabnan
Reviewed by: Dermatologist, Dr. Katrina Erika Habaluyas LuzOur buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
Cosmetics and skincare
Health
Household goods
PC and Cameras
Home Appliances and Electronics
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Smartphones and mobile phones
Mobile data
Investment and asset management
Credit cards and loans
Insurance
Music
Smartphone applications