10 Best Sunscreens for Oily Skin in the Philippines 2021 - Buying Guide Reviewed By Dermatologist

Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz is the face behind Ask Your Derma. She is also 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.

There are many sunscreens available in the market and finding a good and effective one is necessary for your skincare. May it be gel, emulsions, stick, or aerosols, anything is better than nothing. But we want to give you the best, so look through our list to find one that is perfect for your oily skin!

Disclaimer: These products are recommendations made by our team at mybest Philippines. Our expert, Dr. Katrina Erika Habaluyas Luz, is not affiliated with, nor is she endorsing any of the brands we mention below.

**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**

People might think that we only need to apply sunscreen whenever we're at the beach or when we're 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. 

Now that you know how important sunscreen is, it's time to check our buying guide. Sunscreens for oily skin is not just any regular formulation. Some factors can help sunscreen feel light, airy, and non-greasy for those with oily skin. Read more about this below. 

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.  

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.

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 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.

There are some ingredients you need to avoid when buying sunscreen. Oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene are some of those. Oxybenzone can cause eye irritation, while avobenzone poses an allergy risk and increases the free radicals in the skin.

Octinoxate can interfere with endocrine systems, and octocrylene can trigger allergic reactions if you have sensitive skin. Moreover, these ingredients are banned in Hawaii for being toxic to marine life.

Applying sunscreen is necessary to protect our skin. But the best sunscreens wouldn't help you if you don't apply them properly. Moira Lawler from Everyday Health lists the common sunscreen mistakes we make and what we should really do. Check out the summary of what we should be doing below.

Tips:

1. Never wait until you are already out in the sun before you put on your sunscreen. Always apply sunscreen for at least 20 minutes before leaving the house.
2. Dabbing and patting sunscreen will not maximize your SPF. Coat your face and body with an ounce or a shot glass of sunscreen.
3. Don't miss any areas. The eyelid and the lips should be covered in SPF, too.
4. Always reapply your sunscreen. You need to do this at least every 2 hours to maintain sun protection.
5. Maximize the coverage of your sunscreen by applying it evenly everywhere.
6. Just because it's cloudy, it doesn't mean you shouldn't apply sunscreen. No matter the weather, always apply sunscreen whenever you are going out.
7. Check your sunscreen's expiration date because using it after that lowers its effectiveness. 

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.

The choice of sunscreen is a very personal one. Remember, the best sunscreen is the one that you use regularly and consistently! Definitely, this is one step in your skincare routine that you should not skimp on or miss!

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.

People with oily skin would know how hard it can be to find a sunscreen that they would be comfortable with. Most of those in the market feel greasy & heavy and just contributes to the extra sebum in your face. Finding a sunscreen for this skin type is necessary to keep the skin healthy and protected from harmful UV rays. 

We hope this article was able to help you find the right product! Remember to always apply sunscreen whenever you are going outside to prevent any skin damage.

Author: Angelica Sy

Editor: Ayeza Mangulabnan