We Go Through Face SPF Faster Than Any Other Product—15 That Will Save You Money

When it comes to sunscreen, there are two universal truths: The first is that it’s intrinsic to any skincare routine. (Please, please, please practice safe sun, people!) The second is that you don’t have to pay an exorbitant amount of money to get a quality formula. After all, effective doesn’t mean expensive.

That goes for face sunscreen, too. Just because it comes from the drugstore doesn’t mean it will clog your pores, leave a white cast on your complexion, or do any of the other things we often associate with bad sunscreen. In fact, for some drugstore sunscreens, quite the opposite is true. There are sheer formulas, noncomedogenic formulas, two-in-one moisturizing formulas, and more. You just have to know which ones rise above the rest, and that’s what we’re here for. Keep scrolling to see the 15 best drugstore face sunscreens, according to editors and reviews.

The Best Drugstore Face Sunscreens, at a Glance

• Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Face and Body Sunscreen Melt-In Milk Lotion SPF 60
• Best Mineral: Bubble Skincare Solar Mate Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40
• Best Tinted: Eucerin Tinted Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 35
• Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
• Best for Dry Skin: CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30

The Best Drugstore Face Sunscreens of 2025

Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Face and Body Sunscreen Melt-In Milk Lotion SPF 60

Best Mineral: Bubble Skincare Solar Mate Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40

Best Lightweight: Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Face Serum SPF 30

Best Tinted: Eucerin Tinted Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 35

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30

Best Underneath Makeup: e.l.f. Cosmetics Suntouchable! Whoa Glow Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen

Best Sheer: Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Matte Sunscreen SPF 45

Best for Oily Skin: Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Oxide Dry-Touch Face Sunscreen With Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Best Matte: Versed Guards Up Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 35

Best for Sensitive Skin: Pipette Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Best for Dry Skin: CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30

Best Serum: Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Drops SPF 50

Best Glowy: Sun Bum Face Lotion SPF 50

Best for Mature Skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios AOX Daily Antioxidant Face Serum With Sunscreen SPF 50

Best for Combination Skin: Eucerin Age Defense Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

What to Look For

• SPF 30+: According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), consumers focused on sun protection should prioritize a formula with a sun protection factor (aka SPF) of 30 or higher. For some context, a sunscreen’s SPF number tells you how much UVB light (the rays that will burn you!) a sunscreen can effectively filter out. A SPF of 30 can filter out 97% of the sun’s UVB rays.
• Broad Spectrum: When you see “broad spectrum” on a sunscreen label, this tells you that the formula protects you against both UVB and UVA rays. This is imperative!
• Budget-Friendly Price: Any dermatologist will tell you that the most effective sunscreen is the sunscreen that you’ll actually wear. Therefore, the cost of sunscreen and how it fits into your budget is an important factor to consider. Because, in all honesty, sunscreen should be the one product you go through the fastest.
• Consider Your Skin Type: Certain sunscreen formulas are heavier than others. If you’re oily or prone to breakouts, look for a formula that’s oil-free or non-comedogenic. If you run dry or have mature skin, a sunscreen with a richer consistency or a formula that advertises lots of hydration or glow might be your best bet.
• Your Ideal Packaging: Ease of application and re-application is another key to success when it comes to protecting your face from the sun’s damaging rays. Whether you prefer a lotion, spray, stick, oil, etc., make sure you’re choosing the most strategic vehicle choice for your sunscreen and one that will make the application feel as enjoyable and effortless as possible.

Are pricier sunscreens better than drugstore?

Not necessarily! “Better” is subjective. No matter the price tag, every sunscreen meets the same FDA-regulated safety and efficacy standards in order to create their SPF labels. That said, luxury sunscreen brands might include other active ingredients to make formulas more sophisticated (antioxidants or peptides, for example), which can jack up the price. Sensorial elements—such as an elevated scent, spreadable texture, or luxe packaging—can also play a role in pricing.

Overall, though, the quality of SPF doesn’t waver with the price. Rest assured, you can find loads of effective formulas for a budget-friendly price, as demonstrated by this curated list.

What drugstore sunscreens do dermatologists recommend?

Allow board-certified dermatologist Geeta Yadav, MD, to reiterate: “The best sunscreen for any given patient is one that they’ll actually use.” As she previously told Who What Wear about SPF, “The formula should be broad-spectrum and offer a minimum of SPF 30, but other than that, it really comes down to the product experience and what you enjoy.”

That said, plenty of drugstore formulas have earned dermatologist stamps of approval. For example, Ife Rodney, MD, FAAD, of Eternal Dermatology and Aesthetics has glowing things to say about La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios formula (which won “Best Overall” in our list above!). “This great drugstore sunscreen has the ability to hydrate your skin while providing broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection,” she once shared with WWW. “It’s also filled with antioxidants to heal your skin, and it’s noncomedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores.”

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.