Dermatologist-Recommended Sunscreens to Wear Daily

Ask any dermatologist: Sunscreen isn’t just for beach days and backyard barbecues. Summer or winter, rain or shine, it’s a must, they say. And yet, SPF is often too greasy to use every day, not to mention it can be shiny on skin, unruly under makeup, and stain clothes. 

What are the sunscreens doctors themselves use, we wondered, with clean-feeling formulations light enough for everyday wear? We reached out to skincare experts, specifically dermatologists and plastic surgeons for their recommendations, and their picks are simple to use, easy to find, and seriously effective. The best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually wear, so here are nine doctor-recommended sunscreens you can blend easily into your daily routine.

Best Dermatologist-Recommended Sunscreens

Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50

The most effective sunscreen for you is one you’ll reach for time and again. For Dr. Don Yoo, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, Calif., it’s the Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50. “For daily use, what I look for in a sunscreen is broad-spectrum protection in a non-comedogenic mineral base. Since I tend to have sensitive skin, I prefer sunscreens with a mineral base, but with a finish that feels clean on the skin with no white cast or heaviness.” He loves this Skinceuticals pick as it’s “100 percent mineral” but blends in “smoothly without leaving a residue,” he said.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Sunscreen SPF 60

The sunscreen format you choose each day may vary with the activities your day holds. While his preference for daily-wear sunscreen is mineral, Dr. Yoo—an avid golfer—prefers a chemical sunscreen when he hits the links. “My current go-to is La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Sunscreen SPF 60, as it provides long-lasting broad-spectrum coverage with 80 minutes of water resistance in a light, non-greasy finish that leaves no white cast and does not sting even when it gets into my eyes.”

Eucerin Sun Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

Though mineral sunscreens are the gold standard, the zinc oxide and titanium dioxide they contain can leave behind a chalky, white residue, especially on melanated skin. For mineral-based coverage that’s also sheer, Dr. Ha Linh Vu, a board-certified dermatologist with Dermatology Partners in Philadelphia, Pa., swears by the affordable drugstore brand Eucerin. “My personal favorite daily SPF is the Eucerin Sun Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen,” Dr. Vu said. “I like that it is not too liquidy, so it does not run too much when you apply it. It also rubs in nicely without leaving a white cast, working well even on darker skin tones.”

TiZO2 Non-Tinted Facial Mineral Sunscreen and Primer SPF 40

Another favorite of Dr. Vu’s is TiZO2 Non-Tinted Facial Mineral Sunscreen and Primer. “I like this for all of the same reasons as the Eucerin sunscreen. In addition, it has a nice matte finish, so [it’s] great for hotter days and for use as a primer,” she said. “The smaller size also makes it perfect for travel use. It comes in a tinted version that is great if you want protection from visible light, or to use it as a light foundation.”

Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Zinc Oxide Broad Spectrum SPF 50+

Dr. Maya Thosani, a board-certified dermatologist with Modern Dermatology in Scottsdale, Ariz., is a noted fan of dual-action sunscreens, which not only protect from UVA and UVB rays, but also pamper skin with nourishing goodies to help reverse existing UV damage. For head-to-toe protection each day, she trusts Isdin’s Eryfotona Actinica Zinc Oxide Broad Spectrum SPF 50+. “I absolutely love this for how lightweight it goes on being a purely mineral sunscreen,” Dr. Thosani said. “This is a double-action sunscreen, is cosmetically elegant, and appreciated by women in its tinted version—and they have an untinted one that men love.” Making it an even better value, Dr. Thosani points out, the bottle design allows for all the product to be used, down to the very last UV-filtering drop.

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

Thicker formulas can clog pores more easily, according to Dr. Anna Chacon, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami, Fla., who recommends lightweight sunscreens if you have acne-prone skin. “Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen is a clean option that is fragrance free, sheer, and lightweight. I love it—it really has everything you look for in a sunscreen, including that it is a mineral sunscreen and doesn’t leave your skin looking shiny. This product also has glycerin as an ingredient, so it will be hydrating and leave your skin feeling moisturized.”

Epionce Daily Shield Lotion Tinted SPF 50

One reason many of us skip the sunscreen is because of how shiny and sticky it can leave skin. You can put those concerns to rest though, said Dr. Brynna Connor, Healthcare Ambassador at NorthWestPharmacy.com, thanks to her go-to SPF. “My favorite daily SPF is a tinted, lightweight cream by Epionce. I love this sunscreen because it protects without feeling heavy, is water resistant, and doesn’t look oily.” The sensitive-skin friendly formula leaves a dewy glow and is great for wearing underneath makeup or on its own.

Brush On Block Mineral Powder Sunscreen SPF 30

Sunscreen should be reapplied throughout the day, though that often falls to the wayside if you wear makeup. That’s why Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, is a fan of Brush On Block’s Mineral Powdered Sunscreen. “It’s a great solution for people who don’t want to reapply sunscreen because they don’t want to mess up their makeup. It absorbs excess oil, so it can serve a dual purpose as a finishing powder, actually extending the life of your makeup while providing sun protection.” She adds, “It’s great for body areas too, and easy to apply to acne-prone areas like the shoulders and chest without having to worry about leaving white residue on your clothing.” Powder sunscreens are also ideal for dusting along the hairline, into the part of your hair, and other places that often go unprotected.

Freaks of Nature Peak Performance SPF 50

Any sunscreen that wins Dr. Shim Ching’s seal of approval must be environmentally friendly and nonhazardous to marine life—he’s a surfer after all, as well as a plastic surgeon in sunny Hawaii. “Many SPF products contain benzones, which are harmful for ocean reefs,” said Dr. Ching, founder of Asia Pacific Aesthetics in Honolulu, Hawaii. His reef-safe sunscreen of choice is by a company that shares his eco-friendly values and love of the ocean. “One of the best surfers of all time, Kelly Slater, founded this company, Freaks of Nature, and this sunscreen satisfies all these requirements: It feels great on the skin, is waterproof, reef-friendly, and offers an SPF of 50,” Dr. Ching said. It’s also fragrance-free, not tested on animals, and packaged in 100 percent recycled plastic, for a responsibly sourced product we can all get behind. 

These sunscreens are but a few that our experts turned us onto. Keep scrolling for others our dermatologists themselves wear and recommend.

EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46

Fig.1 Mineral Sunscreen for Face SPF 50

Face Reality Skincare Mineral Matte SPF 28

EltaMD UV AOX Mist Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 40

Senté Even Tone Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40