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The Best Clear Sunscreens
In this case, chemical sunscreens are the clear winners.
Choosing the right skin care products can be daunting, especially in the case of sunscreen. You may wonder things like, should I buy a mineral or chemical formula? Will this sunscreen wear well under my makeup? And, perhaps most importantly, is it going to look chalky on my skin? There are many different types of sunscreens out there, but the best clear sunscreens are typically chemical sunscreens. “While mineral sunscreens have come a long way in terms of formulation and elegance, chemical sunscreens are usually a better choice when it comes to choosing a clear sunscreen option,” dermatologist Lindsey Zubritsky, M.D., F.A.A.D., tells Bustle, adding that chemical sunscreens are generally easier to rub in and clearer than their mineral counterparts. You can identify a chemical sunscreen by checking the active ingredients list for oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, and homosalate, which can appear individually or paired together. No matter which clear sunscreen you choose, you’ll want to make sure that it offers broad-spectrum protection with an SPF level of 30 or higher.
The Expert
Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, M.D., F.A.A.D., is a board-certified dermatologist. She is passionate about using social media to share her expertise and debunk skin care myths. Dr. Zubritsky is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, where she serves as a social media ambassador.
Shop The Best Clear Sunscreens
In a hurry? Here are the best clear sunscreens:
- The Overall Best Clear Sunscreen: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
- Best Clear Drugstore Sunscreen: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen
- Best Clear Mineral Sunscreen: SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield
- Best Clear Japanese Sunscreen: Nivea Super Water Gel SPF 35
- Best Clear Korean Sunscreen: Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen
- Best Clear Sunscreen Spray: Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Spray
- Best Clear Sunscreen Stick: Oars + Alps Go Stick Clear Sunscreen
1. Derm’s Pick: The Overall Best Clear Sunscreen
What We Like:
- Works well under makeup
- Water- and sweat-resistant
- Cruelty-free
- Fragrance-free
What We Don’t Like:
- Expensive
A favorite of beauty editors and online shoppers alike, Supergoop!’s Unseen Sunscreen is also Dr. Zubritsky’s top pick for a clear facial sunscreen (especially if you’re planning to wear makeup on top). “It’s a totally clear, gel-based formulation that feels like a makeup primer,” she says of the satin finish sunscreen that uses silicones (just like primers) to create a smooth base that helps to blur imperfections and give makeup more staying power. It’s rich in antioxidants and other good-for-skin ingredients like frankincense, which has soothing benefits, and meadowfoam seed oil to hydrate and pamper your skin. Best of all, it’s truly clear on every skin tone, and it helps protect skin from potentially damaging blue light, too.
Relevant Review: “This sunscreen is absolutely amazing! It’s clear, leaves no streaks or residue at all, and blends right into your skin or under makeup. Solid sun protection, I haven’t been burned while wearing it. My favorite part is that it doesn’t feel like other sunscreens which can feel greasy or heavy. It goes on so smoothly and feels like you’re not wearing anything other than moisturizer.”
Sunscreen Type: Chemical | SPF Level: 40 | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Size: 1.7 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
2. Derm’s Pick: Best Clear Drugstore Sunscreen
What We Like:
- Less than $20
- Water- and sweat-resistant
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains fragrance
- Not cruelty-free
“This is my go-to body sunscreen,” shares Dr. Zubritsky. Not only does Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen come in a larger size tube that makes it more convenient for applying all over your body, but it costs just $10. “It’s so lightweight, non-greasy, and best of all, rubs in totally clear,” adds Dr. Zubritsky. Additionally, the sweat- and water-resistant sunscreen is noncomedogenic, so you can also use it on your face without worrying about it clogging your pores.
Relevant Review: “This is my dream sunscreen. I hate sunscreen for so many reasons, but this stuff is awesome. It is matte and invisible and isn’t sticky at all. Extra bonus: no sunscreen zits!”
Sunscreen Type: Chemical | SPF Level: 55 | Fragrance-Free: No | Size: 3 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
3. Writer’s Pick: Best Mineral Sunscreen That Completely Blends In
What We Like:
- Works well under makeup
- Good for sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free
What We Don’t Like:
- Expensive
Yes, it’s true that mineral sunscreens are the biggest offenders when it comes to leaving behind a white cast, but they’re also much gentler on sensitive skin types. Proving that not all mineral SPFs leave you looking chalky, SkinMedica’s Essential Defense formula — my personal favorite facial sunscreen — absorbs into skin completely invisibly less than 30 seconds after rubbing it in. Pair this quality with the fact that it also has a primer-like formula that wears well with makeup, and it’s hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, oil-free, and noncomedogenic, and you have a truly worthy splurge.
Relevant Review: “Blends in very clear. Not messy. Doesn’t break me out. Wears well under makeup. My favorite mineral sunscreen I have found.”
Sunscreen Type: Mineral | SPF Level: 35 | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Size: 1.85 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
4. Editor’s Pick: Best Clear Japanese Sunscreen For Face & Body
What We Like:
- Comes in a big, pump-top bottle for easy application
- Lightweight, non-greasy gel texture
- Less than $20
What We Don’t Like:
- Nothing
There are too many amazing (and clear) Japanese sunscreens out there to name, but Nivea’s Super Water Gel is a total classic. A favorite of Bustle beauty editor Adeline Duff’s, this face and body sunscreen feels lightweight and watery, hence its name, and rubs in completely clear without leaving behind a sticky or greasy residue. As a practical touch, the handy pump-top bottle makes it easy to apply without any mess or fuss, while the formula itself is enhanced with hyaluronic acid to keep skin hydrated. It also comes in an SPF 35 version if you prefer.
Relevant Review: “This sunscreen is amazing. I am mind blown how weightless and invisible this feels after applying. No stickiness, white cast, burning, weird smells or anything. It’s almost a pleasant cooling feeling when I put it on and when it dries down it makes my face feel [moisturized] and smooth. It’s literally a miracle I’ve been looking for so long.”
Sunscreen Type: Chemical | SPF Level: 35 | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Size: 5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: N/A
5. Best Clear Korean Sunscreen With Soothing Ingredients
What We Like:
- Includes skin-soothing ingredients
- Less than $20
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains fragrance
- Not cruelty-free
One of the reasons Korean sunscreens are so popular is because they often include more skin care benefits (in addition to typically having a lighter consistency and featuring a higher SPF). This Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen uses chemical sunscreen filters to guarantee broad-spectrum coverage that’s entirely invisible on skin, but it also includes a blend of moisturizing and skin-soothing ingredients. Among its hero ingredients is centella asiatica extract, a plant-based ingredient hailed for its ability to calm redness and inflammation caused by a range of skin conditions from rosacea to acne. You’ll also find skin care favorites like green tea leaf extract, sunflower seed oil, and glycerin in here to hydrate skin without making the sunscreen feel greasy or heavy.
Relevant Review: “I like how this lotion feels on my skin. It spreads easily, and it doesn’t sting. That makes me wear it every day, and that’s the point! I also have dark skin, and this doesn’t leave a white cast.”
Sunscreen Type: Chemical | SPF Level: 36 | Fragrance-Free: No | Size: 1.69 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
6. Best Clear Sunscreen Spray For A Mess-Free Application
What We Like:
- Cruelty-free
- Mess-free application
- Water- and sweat-resistant
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains alcohol
- Contains fragrance
If you prefer a spray-on SPF for your entire body, this Sun Bum sunscreen keeps you fully protected with its broad-spectrum formula that’s water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Though it contains fragrance, which may be a deterrent for some, many of the 17,000-plus five-star ratings on Amazon note the coconut scent as one of the sunscreen’s highlights. You will, however, want to be sure you moisturize your skin after you wash this off, as the aerosol spray does contain alcohol that can dry out your skin over time.
Relevant Review: “Great product! Smells good and it doesn’t leave an ashy film on dark skin. It truly sprays and stays on clear! Will never go back to another brand!”
Sunscreen Type: Chemical | SPF Level: 50 | Fragrance-Free: No | Size: 6 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
7. Best Clear Sunscreen Stick For On-The-Go Use
What We Like:
- Mess-free formula
- Water- and sweat-resistant
- Moisturizing
- Cruelty-free
- Fragrance-free
What We Don’t Like:
- Greasy
If you often wonder, how can I reapply sunscreen without getting my hands sticky?, then you’ll want to grab a hold of this Oars + Alps Go Stick. This chemical sunscreen comes in stick form to glide across skin easily, much as a deodorant would, while its clear formula leaves no trace of a white cast behind. If you find yourself in cities often, you’ll want to reap this sunscreen’s powerful pollution-fighting benefits, courtesy of antioxidants like Alpine caribou moss. This sunscreen also contains coconut to soothe and moisturize skin, and since it’s a solid formulation, you don’t have to worry about spills or TSA restrictions when you travel.
Relevant Review: “Such an innovative sunscreen. It’s solid, so it doesn’t spill in your bag and easily gets through security at the airport. The fact that it’s clear means you never have to worry about white streaks. And it’s water/sweat resistant. Big fan!”
Sunscreen Type: Chemical | SPF Level: 35 | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Size: 1.7 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
FAQs
What’s The Difference Between Chemical And Mineral Sunscreen?
You’ve likely heard about the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreens, but if you haven’t, here’s a quick run-down on these two sunscreen types. Mineral sunscreens are also known as physical sun blockers because their active ingredients, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, reflect UV rays away from the skin. “Zinc oxide physically sits on the top of the skin and is naturally white in color so it can be difficult to find a formulation where it doesn’t leave a white cast,” Dr. Zubritsky says. On the other hand, the active ingredients inside chemical sunscreens (which can be one or any combination of the following ingredients: oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, and homosalate) absorb UV light and convert it into heat. Most dermatologists would recommend opting for a mineral sunscreen if you have sensitive, acne-prone, or melasma-prone skin — but, honestly, the best sunscreen is the one that you like enough to wear every single day.
How Can I Prevent A White Residue With Sunscreen?
The active ingredients in chemical sunscreens are clear, meaning that no matter your skin tone, a chemical formula shouldn’t leave behind any sort of visible white cast. The active ingredients in mineral sunscreens are white in their nature, and so there will always be a slight tinge of a white cast with any formula containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. While some mineral formulas are easier than others to blend in, a tinted sunscreen may help to counteract any white cast. In the case of all sunscreens, the more time you take to massage it into your skin, the less visible it will be.
What Is The Best Way To Apply Sunscreen?
Once you find your SPF of choice, there are a few basic rules you’ll want to follow to ensure that you’re properly protected.
- Apply your sunscreen at least 15 minutes before you go outside.
- Make sure that you’re using enough sunscreen (about one ounce for your body and a half teaspoon for your face and neck).
- Reapply your sunscreen every two hours (or right after swimming or sweating).
- Don’t forget commonly missed areas like your part line, ears, tops of your feet, and hands.
About The Authors
Marissa DeSantis has worked as a beauty writer and editor for nearly 10 years. Her pieces can be found across print and digital publications like Bustle, Evening Standard, Teen Vogue, and InStyle.
Isabella Sarlija is a writer and editor specializing in beauty and wellness. Her byline has appeared in Byrdie, Coveteur, Well+Good, Buzzfeed, and more.
Expert:
Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, M.D., F.A.A.D., board-certified dermatologist.
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