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Sunscreen is arguably the non-negotiable skincare product that pretty much every dermatologist will tell you is an absolute must. Aside from SPF’s beauty benefits (it protects your skin from the sun’s wrinkle-inducing rays and offers defense against free radical damage), you probably already know just how important it is for the purpose of preventing life-threatening forms of skin cancer as well. Unfortunately, finding a matte sunscreen for oily skin types isn’t exactly an easy feat.
While I recognize that a good sunscreen is paramount when it comes to preventative skincare and my overall health, I also happen to have very oily skin that tends to react rather poorly (a.k.a. looks like an absolute oil slick) with many sunscreen formula —both mineral and chemical. However, just like it’s important to moisturize even the oiliest of skin types, it’s equally —if not more—vital to protecting shine-prone skin with SPF, regardless of what season it happens to be. On that note, yes, you can even get a sunburn even when it’s grey and gloomy out, so there’s no excuse to skip this step based on the weather.
I’ve tested out a number of different sunscreens, and I’ve found that even some of the formulas dubbed “oil-free” can leave me feeling greasy, with extra-clogged pores and a breakout to boot. So, after years of trial and error, I’ve found a few oily-girl-approved products that work for me, and will likely work for those with blemish-prone skin as well. Not only are these matte formulas great for keeping excess shine under control throughout the day, but I also find that they sit so much better under my foundation, and don’t cause it to pill up or leave me with a slip-and-slide situation after application.
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1. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscree
Amazon.
This is one of my favorite matte sunscreens of all time. The light, oil-free formula dries down to a comfortable matte and sits beautifully under makeup. It’s formulated with an SPF 60, offering solid protection without leaving you feeling like an oil slick after a few hours.
2. Neutrogena Lightweight Clean Feel Sunscreen
Amazon.
This affordable drugstore SPF delivers an impressive 100+ SPF level, without the extra grease and shine. It dries down super fast, making it a great option for oily and acne-prone skin types.
3. Coola Mineral Matte Finish Sunscreen
Amazon.
This cucumber-infused sunscreen offers SPF 30 with a velvet matte finish that looks beautiful under your makeup. It also contains a range of skin-loving antioxidants, which help to even tone and boost the skin’s radiance with continuous use.
4. REN Clean Screen Mineral SPF 30 Mattifying Face Sunscreen
Amazon.
If you’re looking for a matte SPF from a clean beauty brand, look no further. Ren’s oil-controlling and velvet-soft mineral sunscreen offers an SPF protection level of 30 and won’t irritate even sensitive skin.
5. Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen
Amazon.
This lightweight and breathable SPF is infused with Japanese Wild Rose to refine pores and blur texture, as well as free-radical-blocking antioxidants to prevent fine lines and brighten the complexion.