The Best Lightweight SPF – Oil-Free, Non-Comedogenic Sunscreen

If you have oily, clog-prone, or acne-prone skin, or you simply want to avoid a greasy finish, you’ll want to find a sunscreen that doesn't feel heavy, sticky or oily. Additionally, a common issue with many mineral-based sunscreens is that they can leave a white or grey cast and often have thick formulas. This makes layering makeup underneath or reapplying it throughout the day challenging. Finally, at the end of each day, you want to be able to remove your skincare products with no concerns about breakouts, irritation, or clogged pores.

This article reviews the very best sunscreens that offer a lightweight, ‘barely-there’ feel. We’ll explore some of our favourites for oily skin, anti-ageing and the best moisturiser with SPF for the ultimate convenience.

Top Picks for Ultra-Lightweight Sunscreens

Finding the perfect SPF can be challenging; they tend to favour oily formulas. However, a handful of products from leading brands are helping to make summer much more bearable for those with oily and clog-prone skin.

The Best All-Round SPF

Skingredients Skin Shield

This product is a holy grail for your skincare collection. It not only provides a hydrated, dewy finish but also contains high-protection mineral shields which are micronised for minimal white cast. For added reassurance, this glorious SPF comes in a sheer peach tint which adds colour correction, can be worn as a primer underneath makeup or is equally beautiful on its own.

Key Benefits:
Contains SPF50 mineral filters (zinc oxide) Blocks blue light from screens, which can contribute to oxidative stress Contains skin-loving ingredients such as niacinamide for a healthy glow Doesn’t pill or cake and creates a grippy base for makeup Comes in a peach tint, which suits a wide range of skin tones Minimises white or grey cast, making it a suitable daily SPF The formula is oil-free, acne-safe (even fungal acne) and non-comedogenic
Possible Downsides:
The tint is not universal, so it may not suit very fair or darker skin tones You may have to apply a generous amount to get the full SPF50 protection level

Perfect For: All skin types, particularly sensitive and acne-prone and oily complexions

Shop Now

Best for Oily Skin

La Roche Posay Anti-Shine Mist

You’ll know, as someone with an oily complexion, that managing excess oil throughout the day is challenging, even without having to reapply your SPF. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to reapply your sun protection, especially if you’re outside for extended periods. And this high-factor Anti-Shine Mist from La Roche-Posay is a Godsend. Easily apply it over your makeup throughout the day – it contains potent oil-absorbing molecules called airlicium, which dry to a matte finish.

Key Benefits:
Oil-absorbing formula quickly mattifies Innovative filters provide reliable sun protection without a greasy feel The micro-mist dries down within a matter of seconds Tested with sensitive skin Contains no pore-clogging ingredients and is acne-safe
Possible Downsides:
Contains chemical filters that could aggravate very sensitive complexions Contains a gentle fragrance

Perfect For: Very oily complexions or convenient reapplication over makeup

Shop Now

The Best Oil-Free SPF

Heliocare 360 Oil-Free Gel

Oil-free sunscreens are hard to come by, especially ones in a gel formula. Many chemical and mineral SPF options are oil-soluble. This innovative oil-free gel glides on effortlessly, offering maximum protection without a greasy or sticky finish. Moreover, it contains skin-loving glycerin and helps to mattify oily complexions.

Key Benefits:
Offers maximum protection from water-soluble UV filters Dry matte for a grease-free finish Adds moisture and absorbs quickly without stickiness Creates the perfect matte and grippy base for makeup without pilling or caking
Possible Downsides:
This product does contain a few pore-clogging ingredients and isn’t safe for fungal acne It contains a light fragrance Relies on chemical filters

Perfect For: Oily skin and applying underneath a full face of makeup

Shop Now

Best Moisturiser with SPF

Ella & Jo Plump & Protect Day Cream

If you prefer the convenience of a moisturiser with SPF, this option from Ella & Jo ticks many boxes. This luxuriously lightweight and silky formula is like a glass of water for your skin. It contains hydrating hyaluronic acid, triple ceramides, antioxidants and full-spectrum sunscreens. It offers great sun protection without feeling like you’re using an SPF at all.

Key Benefits:
Contains hydrating ingredients like glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, ceramides and plant-based antioxidants Contains SPF to block the full spectrum: blue light, UVB and UVA rays Contains a pigmentation powerhouse to fight dark spots Acts as a shield against pollution, so it’s fantastic for daily wear
Possible Downsides:
Contains some pore-clogging ingredients Contains essential oils which could irritate sensitive skin Relies on chemical UV filters

Perfect For: All skin types, particularly dry and combination complexions

Shop Now

The Best for Anti-Ageing

La Roche Posay Anthelios Age Correct

UV exposure is the number one cause of premature ageing, fine lines, dark spots and photodamage. However, using a potent daily SPF is a great way to reduce damage and promote cosmetic anti-ageing. One of the best options on the market – La Roche Posay’s Age Correct formula – is proven to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots while increasing elasticity. It combines plumping hyaluronic acid with innovative technology for age-reversal effects. Moreover, the lightweight formula leaves no white cast and absorbs quickly, resulting in a smooth finish. Explore the sunscreen recommended by dermatologists.

Key Benefits:
Effectively fights the visible signs of ageing: -15% wrinkles & fine lines, -26% dark spots, +15% elasticity and 24h hydration Contains fragmented hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, CELLOX-B3 TECH TM with Mexoryl XL, PHE-Resorcinol and anti-pollution technology to reduce and fight oxidative stress and pigmentation Contains ultra-high sun protection and blue-light filters to prevent further skin damage Glides on effortlessly without any tint or white cast
Possible Downsides:
Contains pore-clogging ingredients and isn’t acne-safe Contains some light fragrance, which could irritate very sensitive complexions Relies heavily on chemical filters

Perfect For: Mature skin and combination complexions

Shop Now

Analysing Ingredients: What to Look for and Avoid

Acne-prone and clog-prone skin can be very particular about skincare formulas and ingredients, so it can be helpful to know what to look out for in the sunscreen category.

Skin-loving
Hyaluronic acid Ceramides Glycerin Vitamin C Niacinamide Aloe vera
Common Pore-Cloggers
Shea butter Coconut oil Cocoa butter Lanolin Soybean oil Carrageenan Starch

This is not an exhaustive list, so we recommend using a comedogenic ingredients checker or a fungal acne ingredients checker to ensure that your products aren’t going to break you out.

Recommending the Best Sunscreen for Your Needs

What’s the best SPF to use under makeup?

The best approach to finding a skin-priming SPF is to look for one with a matte or oil-free finish. Our first choice would be the Skingredients Skin Shield Mineral SPF primer, as it can be used as a flawless base for makeup or to achieve a dewy complexion on its own. This one is completely oil-free, so you don’t need to worry about excess oil under your makeup.

Another fantastic option is the Heliocare Oil-Free Gel. It dries completely matte and provides a lightweight, non-sticky base for makeup without any white cast. However, this one may not be ideal for acne-prone, clog-prone or sensitive skin.

What’s a lightweight SPF that you can easily reapply?

A common problem with sunscreen was reapplication, until the emergence of SPF facial mists. We’ve discussed the oil-minimising effects of the La Roche Posay Anti-Shine Mist, but another strong contender is the Ella & Jo SPF 30 Mist, which has an invisible finish and feels weightless once applied.

What’s the best lightweight, high-protection SPF?

Luckily, there are many factor 50 sunscreens to choose from, even if you have a temperamental complexion. La Roche Posay is known for its broad-spectrum SPF50, for all skin types. Try the Anthelios Face Mist or the Anthelios Age Protect product. However, even the oil-free options from Heliocare and Skingredients offer maximum protection without the weight.

However, even the oil-free options from Heliocare and Skingredients offer maximum protection without the weight.

What’s the best lightweight daily sunscreen?

A moisturiser with SPF may be sufficient for days with less sun exposure – Ella & Jo offers a fast-absorbing, hydrating moisturiser with added sun protection. However, for a bit more protection, the Skingredients Skin Shield is a great choice. The mineral filter is less likely to cause redness or irritation, and it integrates seamlessly into your makeup routine (or your ‘no-makeup’ look).

Tips for Applying SPF for a Lightweight, Barely-There Finish

Choosing a lightweight SPF is the first step in achieving a healthy glow. There are some application tips that can help prevent pilling, caking or a white cast, especially when using a mineral UV light filter or more product.

• Apply in layers: Add a thin layer, wait several minutes for it to absorb and dry down, then apply a second, thin layer.
• Let it dry completely before applying makeup: This is a crucial step to prevent the product from shifting when applying makeup. Many products need to be absorbed and fully dry down in order to bind to the skin. A partially dry product may be more likely to clump.
• Let skincare absorb fully before applying: This is especially important for hydrating ingredients that need time to settle into the skin before layering subsequent products.
• Choose an oil-free formula: An oily SPF or moisturiser can interfere with oil-based foundations, so an oil-free SPF is a good choice. Moreover, these can have a priming effect.
• Choose one with priming properties: To avoid pilling or caking when applying makeup, look for ingredients such as niacinamide, skincare acids, or airlicium (a mattifying agent). These help to control oil and minimise pores for a flawless base.
• Choose tinted options: These lower the chance of a white cast with mineral sunscreens. They can also be worn on their own to give your skin a breather from heavy makeup looks.
• Choose chemical or hybrid sunscreens: Purely mineral sunscreens, especially ones with zinc oxide (non-micronised), are prone to leaving a white cast. A hybrid or chemical option is safer if you want flawless application.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is higher SPF always better?

Generally, higher SPF is preferred for sensitive or very fair complexions, but even an SPF 30 will block 97% of harmful UV rays. However, most people don’t apply the right amount of sunscreen, so opting for higher protection reduces the chance of sun damage.

Are there any lightweight SPFs suitable for all skin types?

Who wouldn’t want to benefit from a barely-there sunscreen? While they’re ideal for oily or reaction-prone skin types, you can choose options with added ingredients to support combination or dry skin. Alternatively, treat your skin to a nourishing skincare routine, such as a hydrating serum, before applying an SPF.

Do I need a separate sunscreen for my body and face?

The skin of your face is much more sensitive than the rest of the body. Larger pores and increased oil or sebum production also contribute to acne-proneness and textural irregularities. Facial sunscreens are designed specially for the purpose; meanwhile, suntan lotion offers better value for money.

Are there any extremely light sun creams?

Your best bet for an ultra-light sunscreen is the Ella & Jo SPF 30 Face Mist, which boasts a completely weightless finish and an invisible appearance.