5 Best Face Sunscreens for Summer

By Hannah Hayes

If you view applying sunscreen with the same amount of obligatory reluctance as creating a TurboTax account or scheduling car maintenance, you’re not alone. Until recently, most sunscreen offerings provided protection at the cost of a shiny, break out-inducing, smelly, and/or chalky application. But now that it’s been firmly established SPF is mandatory, it’s spurred innovation in the area of UVA/UVB ray deflection.

While you still can’t apply sunscreen in the shower or take it in pill form while you hover around in your flying car, these five options are the best you’ll find today—broad spectrum protection without the Elmer’s glue or bacon drippings feel with the added bonus of hydrating, anti-aging, nourishing ingredients.

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Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.

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Glossier Invisible Shield

glossier.com

Perhaps without precedent, Glossier’s recently released sunscreen enjoyed a debut akin to skincare’s version of a Beyonce video drop. This isn’t a surprise to fangirls of this new-school beauty juggernaut’s line of products, which put emphasis on efficiency and results rather than packaging and superfluous ingredients. Their gel-form Invisible Shield is so undetectable on skin it may even be what gets your boyfriend, husband, father, uncle, and/or brother to start using sunscreen regularly too.

Buy It: $34; glossier.com

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Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day UV Sun Fluid

birchbox.com

If you didn’t think the word “refreshing” could ever be applied to spreading sunscreen on your face, this formula feels akin to splashing viscous water on your face. Dry skin folks, this one is for you.

Buy It: $34; birchbox.com

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Eau Thermale Avene Ultra-Light Hydrating Sunscreen Lotion

aveneusa.com

If your minimalist personality is what’s stopping you from adding a sunscreen step to your routine, this French pharmacy-favorite can easily replace your daytime moisturizer. In fact, you may find that you like it more.

Buy It: $24; walgreens.com

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Bare Republic Mineral Face Sunscreen

jet.com

For those with oily skin, sunscreen is generally a skincare nightmare. Not only does this budget-friendly brand from Target keep skin shockingly matte, it also seems to last longer on skin, but still make sure to reapply every three hours if you’re out in the sun.

Buy It: $18.64; jet.com

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NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum

nordstrom.com

For those who need a one-and-done option, the sheet pan supper of sunscreens, we have found no better option that NARS’ tinted moisturizer. Not only does it provide just a smidgen-above-sheer coverage, it also contains SPF 30 alongside mega-watt illuminating ingredients.

Buy It: $45; nordstrom.com

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