"It gives a natural, matte finish": The best oily skin-approved sunscreens that are anything but greasy

Dr. Shamban recommends this stick sunscreen from Shiseido for oily skin because it goes on with a smooth, matte finish. Stash this cute lil bb in your makeup bag and glide it directly over your skin to reapply your sunscreen on the go.

Because it goes on completely clear (for all skin tones) (!), you don’t even need a mirror to smooth it on, making it essentially mess-free. You can massage it all over your skin every two to three hours, or use it to touch-up the high points of your face that are prone to sun damage, like your nose and forehead.

One Cosmo editor says: “As someone who loves the sun but also has super dry skin that I want protected at all times, I love this stick from Shiseido. It doesn't make me feel oily or greasy, and it’s great for swiping over my dry patches, shoulders, or anywhere else that needs some extra love when I'm in the sun.” – Jasmine Hyman, assistant beauty editor.

Thick, goopy creams simply don’t inspire me to slather on sunscreen every day. But ya know what does? This majorly lightweight serum-based SPF from Coola.

It’s loaded with the lightest hydrators (aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, hello) that quickly sink into my skin, leaving me feeling plump and fresh without all the heaviness. It’s the dream canvas for foundation too, since it doesn’t add any extra dewiness or slip that makes my products melt.

One Cosmo editor says: “I used up a full bottle of this last year because I freakin' love how cooling and light it feels on my skin. In the summer, the last thing I want is to feel like I have a heavy sunscreen on in hot temperatures. But this glides on and feels like I just patted on a gel-serum." – Beth Gillette, beauty editor.

Every dermatologist I've ever met – including Dr. Shokeen and Dr. Jeannette Graf – has raved about this ultra-lightweight sunscreen from EltaMD. Why, you ask? Because, along with chemical and mineral SPF, it uses niacinamide and lactic acid to help exfoliate dead skin that can cause breakouts, smooth any bumpy texture you have on your skin, and slowly fade acne scars. I’m partial to the clear formula, but I did order the tinted version pretty much immediately after Hailey Bieber used it in a GRWM TikTok.

One Cosmo editor says: “When you discover an SPF like this one that fully protects your skin from the sun and blends beautifully into the deepest of skin tones, then you definitely award it and tell the world to stock up!” – Julee Wilson, beauty editor-at-large.

If you’ve developed sunscreen scaries from thick and claggy formulas of old, I encourage you to try Byoma’s new Ultralight Face Fluid – it is a fluid after all, feeling more like a hydrating serum than a sunscreen.

Why? Well alongside providing factor 30, UVA and UVB protection, it’s formulated with hyaluronic acid and astaxanthin (to protect the skin against stress caused by UV rays) so it will feel nourishing and hydrating – and never cause that stingy feeling associated to many sunscreens.

One Cosmo editor says: “One of the lightest sunscreens I’ve tested, it instantly sinks into my skin without leaving a greasy residue, so I can happily apply my makeup knowing it won’t slide off my face by lunch. Oh and because it’s so silky, it doesn’t leave a streak in sight. Winning.” – Clare Stephenson, senior beauty ecommerce writer.

I love, love, *love* Hello Sunday’s The Everyday One. It’s non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog your pores causing further breakouts, and it offers a soft-matte finish to reduce shiny zones. Alongside high factor 50 protection, it’s also billed as a moisturiser so it will still keep oily skin hydrated – bc yes, you still need to moisturise when you have oily skin.

Just note: It certainly sits on the thicker side, but if you don’t mind a lotion texture as opposed to a fluid, this is worth a try.

One Cosmo editor says: “I appreciate how much product you get in the tube (sunscreen can be spenny, and we need all the reasons to wear them every day!) so I know this will last me throughout the summer and every sun-soaked holiday in-between.” – Clare Stephenson, senior beauty ecommerce writer.

IMO, Unseen Sunscreen is designed for anyone with oily skin who hates wearing SPF. The clear, velvety formula leaves a smooth, matte finish (with zero cast) but it still gives a hydration hit thanks to marine algae and meadowfoam seed oil. You can also use it like a primer, helping to blur enlarged pores and it does a mighty job at keeping foundation locked in place, too.

Fyi, if you have sensitive skin and prefer mineral formulas, try the Mineral Sheerscreen instead.

One Cosmo editor says: “No lie, I own about 20 different sunscreens (yes I use them all) but I always come back to Supergoop! Glowscreen is my fave, but if I want a more natural finish I opt for Unseen Sunscreen. It has a completely clear formula (so it’s great for all skin tones) so I often slater it on without even looking in the mirror.” – Clare Stephenson, senior beauty ecommerce writer.

When you have oily, acne-prone skin, finding an SPF that doesn’t cause a major breakout is no easy task. But never fear! Garnier’s BHA + Niacinamide Daily UV fluid is specifically made for acne-prone skin.

It’s formulated with salicylic acid and niacinamide which won’t work as hard as your topical serums, but will keep oil production under control while you wear it. It also has a very lightweight formula, so it won’t cause a greasy mess atop of your already oily skin.

One Cosmo editor says: “I always keep this SPF on standby when my skin refuses to play ball. It doesn’t make my skin feel greasy or anymore oily (especially around my T-zone) but it glides on feeling like a lightweight serum rather than an SPF – which is especially needed when I’m battling sweaty, crowded trains on my commutate to work! – Clare Stephenson, senior beauty ecommerce writer.

Australian brand Ultra Violette creates some of my fave sunscreens *ever* – so it’s no surprise that I love its new Future Fluid. It provides SPF 50 UBV and UVA protection (this is a great one to enlist for long days in the sun) and it’s loaded with vitamin E and squalane, two masters at soothing and hydrating. It’s also super lightweight, so you won’t even feel like you’re wearing SPF at all!

One Cosmo editor says: “I was delighted to find that it has a very subtle tint which gently smooths my complexion and gives it a radiant glow. It’s also great under makeup, so you can trust that it won’t tinker with your foundation or cause it to slide off by lunchtime.” – Clare Stephenson, senior beauty ecommerce writer.

Whether it’s the OG Anthelios or this gel iteration, I always keep a bottle of La Roche-Posay sunscreen in my kit – they’re the GOAT for creating sunscreens that all skin types can use, from sensitive to acne-prone. As I have combination skin, I often pick up the Anthelios Anti-Shine Sun Cream Gel.

It contains Airlicium, which absorbs three times its weight in oil, so it won’t leave your skin looking like a big greaseball. The brand’s Thermal Spring Water will also aid hydration and with such a lightweight, gel texture, you barely notice it on your skin.

One Cosmo editor says: “What I love most about the Anthelios Anti-Shine Sun Cream Gel is that it defies any misconceptions that matte = dry. Despite it leaving a shine-free finish, the formula is so airy and lightweight that it keeps my skin feeling hydrated and nourished.” – Clare Stephenson, senior beauty ecommerce writer.

A powder formula shouldn’t be used alone – it won’t provide the same protection as a cream – but they’re great for reducing shine and providing on-the-go top ups.

Hawaiian Tropic’s Mineral Protection Sunscreen Powder comes highly recommended by Dr. Shamban, and I couldn’t agree more. A dusting is enough to absorb excess oils and to give the complexion a matte finish, but does so without causing any liquid sunscreen underneath to go dry or patchy.

One Cosmo editor says: “This is my beach must-have. The brush applicator means I don’t need to use my hands to rub the product in – ideal when I’m dealing with sweat and sand – and the formula is like a sunscreen/setting powder two-in-one so I can stay shine-free and protected.” – Clare Stephenson, senior beauty ecommerce writer.

TBH, stick sunscreens were never my thang until I tried e.l.f.’s Suntouchable Invsi-Stick. The formula feels surprisingly hydrating, and I say surprisingly because it’s formulated without pore-clogging shea butter which is often found in stick formulas. Instead, it calls on sunflower seed oil (a light oil that won’t clog your pores either) to moisturise and allow the stick to easily glide over the skin. So those with acne-prone skin can get on board too as it’s completely non-comedogenic.

One Cosmo editor says: “e.l.f’s Invsi-Stick had me at first swipe. It’s totally clear so it doesn’t leave any sort of residue and because it contains moisturising sunflower seed oil, it makes a great pre-makeup SPF as the formula sits well under foundation without pilling.” – Clare Stephenson, senior beauty ecommerce writer.