Best Drugstore Sunscreens For Acne-Prone Skin 2023

Affiliate links Sunscreen tops all other products when it comes to keeping your skin looking younger and healthier. Because without a good sunscreen, no expensive treatment or high end cream will be enough to undo the damage from the sun.

And yet many of us still make excuses for not using a sunscreen every day, the most common one being that it feels greasy or sticky on the skin and causes breakouts. And this rings especially true if you’re someone with oily, acne-prone skin!

Thankfully, many of the sunscreen formulas of today offer serious sun protection without clogging pores or leaving your skin look like a greasy mess…bye bye breakouts! These sheer formulas are also invisible under makeup, and feel light and smooth on your skin with a matte finish.

Below, I’ve listed the best drugstore sunscreens for acne-prone skin that’ll protect your skin without leaving a white cast or aggravating breakouts. And these tried-and-true favorites are all under $25!

Best Drugstore Sunscreens For Acne Prone Skin

Curology Everyday Sunscreen SPF 30 ($17.99)

Specifically designed for acne-prone skin, this broad-spectrum sunscreen formulated with 9.4% zinc oxide defends against UV rays without clogging pores. It has a silky, non-greasy texture that absorbs quickly with a soft-focus finish and leaves skin feeling smooth. The formula is fragrance-free, paraben-free, reef-safe and cruelty-free.

Neutrogena Clear Face Serum Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 60+ ($14)

Infused with green tea extract, this fragrance-free sunscreen serum leaves skin feeling soft and smooth while providing breathable sun protection. It has a very lightweight, non-greasy formula that’s invisible on all skin tones and doesn’t leave behind a white cast. It also helps prep skin for smoother makeup application and won’t clog pores. It’s also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Also available at Ulta Beauty.

Hero Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 ($20)

Made specifically for oily and acne-prone skin, this super lightweight mineral sunscreen (with 17.53% Zinc Oxide) has a soft gel cream texture that absorbs very quickly with a smooth matte finish. With a barely-there feel on skin, it layers weightlessly under makeup without being sticky or greasy and won’t clog pores.

The formula has a sheer green tint that blends into skin completely and helps mask a little bit of redness. Fragrance-free and silicone-free, it also contains antioxidant-rich plant extracts to protect skin against environmental stressors. My full review here. You can also purchase this sunscreen at Amazon.com

Eucerin Oil Control Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 ($14)

This fragrance-free sunscreen is formulated with an advanced antioxidant complex and oil-absorbing minerals perfect for those with oily or acne-prone skin. It has a lightweight lotion texture that absorbs quickly with a long-lasting matte finish. Free of oil, dyes, parabens, PABA, phthalates, oxybenzone and octinoxate, the formula is also great for sensitive skin and is non-comedogenic so it won’t clog pores.

Proactiv Clear Skin Sunscreen SPF 30 ($17.82)

Formulated specifically for acne-prone skin, this lightweight non-greasy sunscreen helps control shine and leaves skin with a matte-looking finish. It’s a 3-in-1 formula that protects, mattifies, and hydrates — without clogging pores or causing breakouts. Oil-free and fragrance-free, it doesn’t leave a white cast and works well alone or under makeup.

MyChelle Sun Shield Liquid SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen ($23.99)

Infused with bentonite clay and blue agave extract, this is a great tinted mineral sunscreen for oily, acne-prone skin. The oil-free formula is super-lightweight with a very thin, liquid consistency and glides on smoothly leaving a non-sticky, matte finish that looks natural. And since the formula is tinted, there’s no white cast despite being 16.1% zinc oxide formulation.

This sunscreen is available in 2 shades – light/medium and medium/dark. It evens out skin tone with sheer to light coverage. Not to mention, it’s free of fragrance-free, silicones, parabens, and also reef-safe and cruelty free.

Solara Suncare Go! Daily Defense Soothing Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 ($24.99)

With an ultra-lightweight texture that glides on smoothly, this sunscreen dries down to a shine-free satin matte finish. There’s no greasiness at all and it doesn’t feel thick or tacky. The fragrance-free formula contains 19% non-nano Zinc Oxide but leaves absolutely no white cast.

It’s also infused with soothing aloe, antioxidant- rich green tea and skin barrier supportive Lactobacillus ferment. And it’s oil-free, silicone-free and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores). My full review here.

Pacifica Mattify & Protect Daily Priming Lotion SPF 35 ($15.01)

Designed especially for oily skin, this lightweight lotion provides broad-spectrum SPF protection plus skin-brightening benefits (with vitamin C and Niacinamide). The formula contains oil-controlling ingredients and dries to a smooth matte finish that plays nicely with makeup. It can also be used without makeup for its suncare + skincare benefits.

Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Invisible Sunscreen Serum SPF 30 ($14)

Infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid, this is an oil-free ultra-lightweight sunscreen serum that leaves skin looking radiant with a subtle glow. The fast-absorbing formula is non-greasy and non-comedogenic so it won’t clog pores. It rubs in clear without a white cast and is perfect for all skin tones. Plus, it is water resistant for up to 80 minutes.

Starface Clear as Day Sunscreen SPF 46 ($23.99)

Formulated to protect and hydrate acne-prone skin without clogging pores, this is an invisible, broad-spectrum sunscreen that goes on clear with a smooth matte finish. Thanks to its lightweight, silky gel texture, this is an easy addition to your daily routine (even when you have an active breakout). Plus, it’s water resistant for up to 80 minutes and suitable for all skin types (including sensitive) Also available at Amazon.com

BYOMA Moisturizing Gel-Cream SPF 30 ($18.99)

Perfect for those with dry and acne-prone skin (like mine!), this is a deeply hydrating, non-greasy moisturizer with SPF. It has a lightweight gel-cream texture that absorbs instantly and leaves a glowing finish, with zero white cast. The fragrance-free formula contains a tri-ceramide complex that strengthens the skin barrier plus Hyaluronic acid and beta glucan hydrate and nourish skin.