The 12 Best Face Sunscreens in 2024, According to Testing and Dermatologists
Add these face SPFs to your summer beauty bag, stat.
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With a complexion best described as alabaster, I’m always looking for the best face sunscreens that offer ample protection against harmful UV rays—and wear well under makeup. From sunscreen sticks to powder sunscreens to SPF serums, I’ve tried countless formulas all in the quest to find the best of the best to add to my makeup bag.
In the past, I’ve been tempted to use body sunscreen on my face. But, it’s important to find “one that will not clog your pores and can be used with or without makeup so that it is layered easily,” Angela J. Lamb, M.D., dermatologist and director of the Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Faculty Practice and an associate professor of dermatology, tells me.
Meet the experts: Angela J. Lamb, M., dermatologist and director of the Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Faculty Practice and an associate professor of dermatology; Shari Marchbein, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City; and Heidi Waldorf, M.D., founder of Waldorf Dermatology Aesthetics in New York
Some cult-favorite brands like Supergoop! and EltaMD feature specific ingredients formulated for your face, and they wear well under makeup too, making them top contenders on my list of best SPFs.
Emily Goldman is the deputy editor at Prevention. She’s spent her career editing and writing about health, wellness, beauty, fashion, and food for Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, Bridal Guide, Good Housekeeping, and more. She’s loved all things health and wellness since starting her bi-weekly podcast Pancreas Pals—a series all about the highs and lows of living life with type 1 diabetes. When not podcasting, she spends most of her time curled up with a good book or watching a period piece on BBC.
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