11 best sun creams for oily skin 2024
WE all know it’s important to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays, but if you’ve got oily skin, finding a sun cream that doesn’t cause breakouts or discomfort can be tricky.
If you have oily skin it’s important to select your sun cream carefully and check ingredient lists to make sure it’s not going to solve one problem, while creating another.
I asked dermatologist Dr Anna Protasova for her advice in finding products that will be kind to oily skin.
She said: “For individuals with oily skin, sun creams with non-comedogenic formulas are ideal to avoid clogging pores and exacerbating oiliness.
“Look for lightweight, oil-free formulations that offer broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.
“Ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid can help control excess oil production while providing hydration and antioxidant benefits. Matte-finish sunscreens or those labelled ‘oil-control’ can also be beneficial for managing shine throughout the day.”
Luckily there are plenty of products specially devised for sensitive skin and we’ve tested some of the best on the market.
Best sunscreens for oily skin at a glance:
- Best overall: Thank You Farmer Sun Project Skin Relief Sun Cream
- Best for moisturising: Green People Scent Free Mineral Sun Cream
- Best for under make up: Bioré UV Aqua Water Essence Sunscreen
- Best for hydration: Bioré UV Aqua Water Essence Sunscreen
- Best for exercise: Skin Wrkout Max Out Mineral
Thank You Farmer Sun Project Skin Relief Sun Cream
Thank You Farmer Sun Project Skin Relief Sun Cream, £17.60 from Face the Future
Pros: Very hydrating, lightweight
Cons: None
Score: 5/5
This sun cream from Thank You Farmer is really hydrating and feels incredibly light on the skin.
It absorbs almost instantaneously, leaving no white cast. Best of all I was left with no greasy, oily residue on my skin, even after reapplying several times.
It’s genuinely fragrance free and Thank You Farmer says clinically proven to reduce sebum production and the appearance of acne.
It left my skin feeling soothed and smooth, while providing SPF 50+ and PA++++.
Overall it’s a lovely product that sits really well beneath or on top of make up.
Type of sun cream: Chemical; SPF Factor: 50+; Size: 50ml
Bioré UV Aqua Water Essence Sunscreen
Bioré UV Aqua Water Essence Sunscreen SPF 50, £15.99 from Superdrug
Pros: SPF 50, absorbs quickly, UVA and UVB protection, oil-free, lightweight
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
Bioré is the number one SPF brand in Japan and, with that in mind, I had high hopes for this watery SPF.
It’s oil-free and doesn’t clog your pores or feel greasy on the surface of your skin. I also found it to be lightweight and hydrating.
After testing this product for a week on oily skin, I had no new breakouts.
It behaves like a regular hydrating moisturiser, and the finish is sheer, leaving no white cast.
One of my pet peeves about facial sun creams is the way they disturb makeup application. However, this one is a pleasure to use under makeup. Plus, it’s affordable and has a sun protection factor of 50.
SPF: 50, Finish: Sheer, Protection: UVA and UVB
Green People Scent Free Mineral Sun Cream
Green People Scent Free Mineral Sun Cream SPF 30, £30 from Green People
Pros: Mineral formula, soothes and moisturises skin
Cons: None
Score: 5/5
Green People’s sun cream has an entirely mineral formula that forms a protective barrier on the skin deflecting the sun’s harmful rays.
Mineral sun creams can be thicker than chemical sun creams, but this product from Green People feels lightweight and absorbed quickly into my skin.
It left my skin feeling moisturised throughout a day in the sun without any greasy or oily residue and has become a staple in my backpack.
It is SPF 30, protecting against UVA and UVB rays, alcohol free and contains aloe vera, chamomile and sequoia leaf cell extract to soothe skin and help it retain moisture.
It’s also certified organic and vegan.
Type of sun cream: Mineral; SPF Factor: 30; Size: 50ml
La Roche-Posay Oil Control Fluid
La Roche-Posay Oil Control Fluid SPF 50+, £16 from Face the Future
Pros: Specially developed for oily skin
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
If you ever suffered from acne as a teenager or adult then you’ll know cult French pharmacy brand La Roche-Posay.
This sun cream is lightweight and non-greasy, with SPF 50+ protecting against your standard UVA and UVB rays as well as long UVA rays.
It’s been specifically formulated for combination to oily and blemish-prone skin, and contains airlicium which gives skin a matte effect.
It leaves no white cast on the skin and I could barely feel that I was wearing a sun cream.
It’s also the perfect size to carry around in your handbag so you can top up throughout the day.
SPF: 50; Protection: UVA and UVB; Size: 50ml
Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream
Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream SPF 50, £22 from Cult Beauty
Pros: SPF 50+, UVA and UVB protection, lightweight, sinks in quickly
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
Thank You Farmer is a Korean brand that uses natural, farm-grown ingredients to boost skin health, fight against environmental stresses and delay ageing over time.
This cream is fluid, and lightweight sinking into the skin effortlessly, without leaving any grease or residue on your skin that could cause a breakout.
As well as SPF 50 it has high levels of hyaluronic acid to plump your skin and leave you with a dewy glow instantly.
I loved the finish and found that it didn’t make my make up slip off.
As well as hydrating ingredients, it also contains mistletoe extract to stimulate cellular turnover. In short, this means it encourages your skin to repair and renew after being exposed to the sun and oxidative stress. This is also useful if you have a few stubborn breakouts.
SPF: 50, Finish: Dewy, Protection: UVA and UVB
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Coola Refreshing Water Cream Sunscreen
Coola Refreshing Water Cream Sunscreen SPF 50, £45 from Cult Beauty
Pros: UVA, UVB, blue light and pollution protection, non-greasy
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
This SPF is the ultimate skincare and sun protection product in one.
It has SPF 50 to protect you against UVA and UVB and is powered by the brand’s plant-derived blue screen digital de-stress technology, which protects against blue light, infrared light and pollution.
It’s intensely hydrating and I’d wear it if it had sun protection in it or not. Infused with hyaluronic acid and coconut water, the cream leaves your skin looking dewy, fresh nourished and feeling super soft.
Unlike a lot of SPF moisturisers, it isn’t greasy, sticky or oily. It absorbs within seconds with very little effort.
To top it all off, it’s vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, contains ingredients that are 70%+ certified organic, and it’s free from synthetic fragrance.
SPF: 50, Finish: Dewy, Protection: UVA and UVB
Dermalogica Oil Free Matte
Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF 30, £39.95 from Beauty Bay
Pros: Lightweight, non-greasy
Cons: Quite expensive
Rating: 4.5/5
This specially formulated sun cream from Dermalogica sits really lightly on the skin leaving no greasy residue or shine.
It has been developed with an oil-free formula and kept my skin shine-free all day.
What I found really surprising was how moisturising it is. Despite being lightweight it felt very nourishing.
This cream contains zinc gluconate, caffeine, niacinamide, biotin, and yeast extract, which Dermalogica says combat shine while protecting the skin against UV damage.
While it is quite expensive at almost £40 for 50ml I did find that a small amount went a long way.
Size: 50ml, SPF: 30, Type: Cream
Skin Wrkout Max Out Mineral
Skin Wrkout Max Out Mineral SPF 30 with Tint, £43.99 from Skin Wrkout
Pros: Mineral formula, hydrating
Cons: Expensive
Score: 4/5
This sun cream from fitness skincare brand Skin Wrkout has been devised specially for those with an active lifestyle and is sweat resistant.
It contains hyaluronic acid, which can help control oil production as well as sea buckthorn which has anti-inflammatory properties.
On top of this it has a mineral compound, which sits on top of the skin forming a protective barrier against harmful rays and is advised for those with sensitive skin.
I found it to be really hydrating and it felt nourishing on the skin. It wasn’t the lightest cream I tested but it didn’t feel greasy and it left my skin really smooth.
The tint is quite subtle but it evened out my skin tone and had a really nice matte finish.
At £43.99 for a 30ml bottle its one of the more expensive products tested but it would be worth splashing out for if you’re keeping active in the sunshine.
SPF: 30; Protection: UVA and UVB; Size: 30ml
COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream
Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50+, £22 from Beauty Bay
Pros: Inexpensive for the quality, good for sensitive skin, barely-there coverage
Cons: Doesn’t feel overly nourishing
Rating: 4/5
Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream is a really hydrating cream that offers superior protection from the sun’s harmful rays.
It has a mineral formula that forms a SPF 50+, PA+++ barrier on the skin deflecting UVA and UVB rays.
It feels thin, like a daytime moisturiser, and absorbs quickly into the skin, drying down semi-matte.
Once absorbed it provides barely their coverage and I found a little cream goes a long way.
It’s very hydrating and the aloe vera soothes red, dry and irritated skin, although it’s not as moisturising as others tested.
Type of sunscreen: Chemical; SPF: SPF 50+ PA+++; Size: 50ml
Organii Facial Sun Cream
Organii facial sun cream, £16.95 from Only Naturals
Pros: Feels very nourishing
Cons: Heavier than others tested, very low SPF protection
Rating: 4/5
This mineral face cream from Organii offers SPF 15 protection, forming a barrier on the skin to protect it from UVA and UVB rays.
It felt quite thick and heavy to apply, but quickly sunk into my skin and left it feeling smooth and hydrated.
It contains organic argan, jojoba, sunflower, olive fruit, linseed, rice bran, and karanja oils and felt really nourishing.
While it has very low SPF protection, Organii products are certified organic and a great choice for those with sensitive skin.
Size: 50ml, SPF: 15, Type: Cream
Katherine Daniels Daily DNA Defence
Katherine Daniels Daily DNA Defence SPF 30, £62 from Katherine Daniels
Pros: Very light, great for wearing under make-up
Cons: Not as hydrating as others tested
Rating: 4/5
This SPF 30 cream from Katherine Daniels is a really light product that protects the skin against UVA and UVB rays, as well as pollution, blue light and cold.
It absorbs easily and doesn’t leave your skin feeling oily and greasy.
It’s definitely a great choice for wearing under make-up and allows your foundation to stay put throughout the day.
It also has DNA defence and repair enzymes, which Katherine Daniels says help to increase the speed at which your cells repair, helping stop the signs of ageing.
Size: 50ml, SPF: 30, Type: Cream
How we tested these products
All sun creams have been tested by a member of The Sun’s team. They were all worn for at least one day and the testers considered factors including the application of the cream or spray, the level of protection it offered, scent, feel and how often reapplication was required.
Where to buy sun creams in the UK?
Sun creams are easy to find and you can find most products on the high street or online. Most major shops will have general sun creams available, but if you’re after specific sun creams for tanning or for sensitive skin, beauty shops will have more niche products that can tailor to your needs.
In addition, most shops will stock travel-sized versions which is perfect if you need one for your cabin bag. Here’s a list of some of the best online shops.