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The Best Lightweight, Non-Clogging SPF For Oily Skin
No matter how grease-prone you are, there is no excuse for skipping the SPF
My love for SPF knows no bounds. I've written extensively about my passion for fashion sun protection and I'm constantly trying and testing new formulations to recommend to friends, family, and you, dear readers. After all, daily use of a good face SPF (all year round, rain or shine), is the one thing that will preserve the health of your skin for longer - whether that's through SPF moisturisers, tinted sunscreens or K-Beauty ones. Essentially, there is no point in splurging on fancy facials and serums if you're not adequately protecting your complexion from damaging UVA and UVB rays.
That said, I understand how frustrating it can be to break out from sunscreen. My combination skin is prone to looking extra shiny in the summer, and the wrong sunscreen formula can easily cause blemishes and acne flare-ups. To determine the best SPF for oily and acne-prone complexions, I went straight to consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto at Self London.
The Very Best SPF For Oily Skin
- Best derm-approved brand: Heliocare 360 Water Gel SPF 50+
- Best K-beauty buy: Thank You Farmer Sun Project Light Sun Essence SPF 50
- Best multitasker: Glossier Invisible Shield Priming SPF 50
- Best for city living: Shiseido Urban Environment Age Defense Oil-Free SPF 30
- Best tinted: Clinique Superdefense City Block SPF50
Does SPF cause breakouts?
'Heavy, greasy formulations can clog pores, leading to acne breakouts,' says Dr Mahto when asked why certain sunscreens lead to spots. 'Ingredients like certain oils, silicones, and emollients, while beneficial for dry skin, can exacerbate oiliness and congestion in those with oily or acne-prone skin.'
How to find the right SPF for oily skin?
She recommends opting for a formula that is oil-free and prioritising lightweight, gel-based or fluid sunscreen. 'Look for ones that say they provide a matte finish to help manage excess oil and prevent a greasy appearance. Always choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least 30 to protect against both UVA and UVB rays.'
I'm a huge fan of Heliocare Oil-Free 360 Gel (and so is Dr Mahto). It's not the chicest of tubes, but the formula feels completely weightless and it doesn't make my skin appear shiny even in humid, summer weather. I also appreciate the sheer, peachy-tint which looks invisible on darker skin tones but imparts the gentlest hint of radiance. The only downside is that it can pill slightly when layered on top of multiple serums, so I suggest sticking to a simple routine of cleansing and a non-silicone serum when using this.
Speaking of cleansing, it's imperative that you properly remove your sunscreen before going to bed to avoid clogged pores. I remove mine with a milky cleanser (massaged on dry skin) and followed with a gel formula.
Ahead, the best SPFs for oily skin
While the original Heliocare gel SPF will always be in my rotation, I'm also throughly enjoying the new Water Gel version. It's a gel-milk hybrid that's lightweight but with a tad more hydration than the original. It sinks into an invisible finish and stays matte all day long.
Korean and Japanese beauty brands excel at formulating silky, lightweight sunscreens that sit beautifully on oily complexions. Dr Mahto is a fan Thank You Farmer's fluid SPF50+. Aside from protecting against UV damage, it also calms redness and wears nicely under make-up.
Not one for layering too many products? This SPF50 acts as sheer hydrator, SPF and mattifying primer all at once. The addition of aloe is also useful if you're prone to redness.
Always a go-to for refined textures, Shiseido's SPF is as elegant as you'd expect. Especially formulated for city-dwellers who are constantly exposed to pollution and environmental aggressors, this sunscreen promises to shield while ensuring the complexion stays matte and velvety soft.
I packed this into my hand luggage for a particularly sunny, outdoorsy, five-day trip to South Italy and I'm happy to report it didn't cause a single blemish nor did it slide off my face in the scorching heat. It is slightly creamier than the rest of the formulas on this list, but the peachy tint means you can easily skip additional moisturiser or foundation as this will leave the skin radiant and even-looking.
Ultra Violette Fave Fluid SPF 50+ Lightweight Skinscreen
Fave Fluid is so, well, fluid, that it feels most water-like than any of its comrades on this list. It feels (and looks) completely invisible on the skin, no matter how generously you apply it. For those who veer towards more combination than oily (or in winter), try layering a hydrating serum underneath for extra moisture. Otherwise, use liberally and enjoy that featherlight feel.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Oil Control Fluide SPF50
This one by La Roche-Posay is especially formulated to care for fragile complexions that are also prone to sun sensitivity. Plus, it keeps excess sebum at bay and does not sting the eyes.
Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV Niacinamide Facial SPF50+ Fluid
Next to shielding from harmful rays, this milky SPF is also fortified with niacinamide, zinc and salicylic to actively treat as it protects.
Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she's not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you'll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she's a competitive cheerleader, too.
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