12 best sunscreens for oily skin, offering lightweight and grease-free protection

RRP: £34
Formula: Cream
Oil-free? Yes

When finding the best sunscreens, you can trust Australian brand Ultra Violette to have a formula for every skin need, including an impressive range of skincare for oily skin. This is a multitasking sun protection, moisturiser and primer all in one. "I hated wearing SPF until I tried this, but I've used this every day for a year now, and I haven't found one that tops supreme screen," says Dionne. "I've tried so many different formulas that have only made my oily skin worse and my makeup slips off by lunchtime", she says. "I forget this is even sunscreen; it's that brilliant. I use it instead of my moisturiser and primer, and I love the clean scent. It's meant for normal to dry skin, but this is the only one that doesn't ruin my makeup, gives me a satin finish and keeps my skin shine-free all day". If you prefer a mineral sunscreen and a matte finish, the lean screen version is just as great.

Buy if: You're looking for a shine-free finish
Avoid if: You're on a budget

RRP: £20
Formula: Liquid
Oil-free? Yes

Taking the top spot as one of the best sunscreens for acne-prone skin, this oil-free formula from La Roche-Posay sinks perfectly into the skin without leaving a white cast or oily residue. This product was recommended to us by several dermatologists whom we consulted for this piece. When testing, we found that it doesn't feel like you have any product on. "It glides on, absorbs easily and we duly applied our foundation as usual without it sliding off," says Anna. 

The original La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF UVMune tops our list of the best La Roche-Posay products of all time, but if you have oily skin, this product might suit you better.

Buy if: You want a lightweight finish
Avoid if: You don't want that sunscreen smell

RRP: £19
Formula: Cream
Oil free? No

It's hard to fault this Eucerin sunscreen. It's non-comedogenic, applies like a dream, provides long-lasting protection and reduces shine. It's one of our favourite sunscreens for sensitive skin. While we don't need to apply SPF to our eyelids, we often find our sunscreen makes its way there anyway - to painful effect. That's not the case with this hypoallergenic formula, meaning it's also great for anyone who experiences burning (or breakouts) from other lotions. It sunk into our skin and provided a brilliant, non-greasy base for our makeup. It's not as mattifying as others on this list but we found it definitely reduced some of the shininess on our temple. 

Buy if: You've got sensitive oily skin
Avoid if: You want a more matte look

RRP: £49
Formula: Cream
Oil-free? Yes

This brilliant multitasker from Murad protects your skin, mattifies it, absorbs excess oil and minimises the appearance of large pores. It almost sounds too good to be true, but in our experience, it does all those things. After applying, our skin felt tightened and like we'd just used one of the best primers instead of sunscreen. "It's a cream formula, but it feels more like a soft putty when you spread it in, and my skin felt instantly smooth and mattified after applying it," says Anna.

If you're looking for one of the best pore minimisers and SPFs rolled into one, you can't go wrong with this one. It may be too mattifying for some because it feels like a primer; we found we applied it less liberally, as the mattifying effect felt immediate, so the texture may not suit everyone. 

Buy if: You want an SPF to wear under makeup
Avoid if: You don't like a silicone-style texture

RRP: £44.50
Formula: Gel
Oil free? No

This water-light formula slides on, dries instantly and has a subtle pore-blurring mattifying effect. Oh, and it boasts SPF 50+ protection. It's specifically formulated for humid weather, so we duly tested it over a few humid weeks and can confirm that the non-comedogenic gel formula worked its magic. It was sweat-proof, lightweight and provided just the right level of matte finish without drying our skin. 

It's tough to fault this product, but if I had to be really pernickety, my skin started to feel (and look) a little shiny after hours of wear. Sadly, even the pros at Kiehl's can't work miracles, though, and I'm yet to find a formula that can provide an all-day mattifying effect. 

Buy if: You're off on holiday
Avoid if: You want all-day mattifying

RRP: £35
Formula: Cream
Oil-free? No

Another nifty multitasker, this mattifying, smoothing sunscreen from Supergoop! It is seriously impressive. Not only does it work hard, offering a powdery smooth finish and high levels of sun protection, but it also has a 100% mineral formula. In fact, the ingredient list is better defined by what it doesn't contain. The brand's 'no list' includes over 1,300 ingredients, including octinoxate and oxybenzone. 

What this cult sunscreen does contain though, is extract from meadowfoam seed to hydrate, frankincense to soothe and blue light-neutralising red algae. Its credentials don't stop there: it's sweat and water-resistant and reef-safe. However, it is only SPF 30 when ideally you would want to use SPF 50, especially if you're in and out of the water. 

Buy if: You want a reef-safe option
Avoid if: You need maximum protection

RRP: £13
Formula: Transparent mist
Oil free? No 

Once you've applied your sunscreen and makeup, the last thing you want to do is layer more product on top of it. "As a pale-skinned Scottish person who is basically allergic to the sun, I meticulously cover every part of myself in sunscreen before leaving the house when the weather hits anything above 23 degrees. But I always struggle with the 2pm top-up," says Anna. "I basically have a bottle in my bag at all times. It's lightweight, non-greasy and gently sits on top of your make-up without causing it to run or pile," she continues. 

The SPF50 formula contains hyaluronic acid and glycerin, so it's also hydrating. I wouldn't rely on it as my sole sunscreen (it's hard to tell if you've applied enough with a mist), but it's undoubtedly the best top-up I've used. 

Buy if: You want a mist to top up coverage
Avoid if: You're looking for a base layer

RRP: £33
Type: Gel-cream
Oil free? No mineral oils

This mineral sunscreen tops our list of the best reef-safe sunscreens for a reason. It uses titanium dioxide, which has been shown to have no negative impact on marine life, alongside zinc oxide (which, eco credentials aside, is also great for oily skin). Mineral sunscreens are generally better for oily skin. Still, in our experience, some products can leave a white cast - however, that's not the case with this barely-there formula, which glides on the skin and absorbs beautifully. It's unscented, a big bonus for many, especially if you have sensitive skin. 

We applied this in the morning during a sticky, humid day in London, and it lasted throughout the day. However, if we were in warmer climates, we would reach for a bottle with a higher SPF. We also found that our skin was a little shiny after applying, so if you're not using one of the best foundations for oily skin on top, you may opt for a more mattifying sunscreen, like the Murad or Hello Sunday one. 

Buy if: You want an unscented option
Avoid if: You need a matte finish

RRP: £10.89
Formula: Powder
Oil-free? Yes

"One of the best sunscreens for sensitive skin and a pretty decent powder foundation rolled into one, I always carry this little pot of powder around with me in the summer months. It's made with physical mineral filters and has a very slight lemon tone that cancels out redness, but it's slight enough that it won't look chalky on deep skin tones. I use it as the last step of my summer makeup routine and reapply during the day. It's definitely a supplementary product and wouldn't replace the need for a protective lotion or cream. Still, it mattifies my greasy spots in a flash and provides an extra layer of UVA/UVB protection, which is always a good thing," says Anna. 

"I don't love the applicator, and it feels rather cheap. It's hard to know how much product is coming out, and you have to give it a good shake to get the powder to feed through the brush. All of which means it's quite challenging to really direct the product. Also, while I love the fragrance, it won't be for everyone," Anna found while testing. 

Buy if: You want a powder top-up throughout the day
Avoid if: You're worried it could look chalky on your deeper skintone

RRP: £8.99
Formula: Cream lotion
Oil-free? No

The best affordable sunscreen for oily skin, for under £10, you get UVA and UVB protection, SPF 50 and a lotion so hydrating you could skip your moisturiser. The Australian brand has formulated this sunscreen with ethically sourced algae for a super hydrating, comfortable sunscreen; it is fragrance-free, paraben-free and sulphate-free, meaning it is reef-friendly, so you can jump in the sea without worry. 

We love this affordable option as it's non-comedogenic, so it won't clog your pores. An excellent sunscreen for oily skin, it dries down with no white cast and gives a shine-free finish. You can't really go wrong at this price point. It's worth a try because even if it doesn't work as well for you as it did for us, it would be great for the neck and shoulders. 

Buy if: You're on a budget
Avoid if: Your skin is more sensitive

RRP: £39
Formula: Liquid
Oil-free? Yes

"This is the sunscreen I use every day in the winter and the one I rely on while I'm on holiday," says Dionne. "Because I'm mostly worried about the ageing effects of the sun, this is the sunscreen I swear by to protect my skin from sun damage," she continues. "It's the most lightweight formula I've tried, and it melts into my skin instantly upon application so that it doesn't feel oily. Rather, my skin feels hydrated all day long." 

Formulated with SPF 50, UVA and UVB protection, it also has added antioxidants to protect the skin from environmental stressors and minimise the signs of ageing. "I love the soft matte finish, alone or under make-up," Dionne found when testing. If you have oily or combination skin and are concerned about dark spots, breakouts or ageing, this is the one to try. 

Buy if: You are concerned about dark spots
Avoid if: You want a glowy look

RRP: £45
Formula: Lotion
Oil free? Yes

Yes, the sun can cause the skin to show signs of ageing, but it can also worsen existing skin damage. That's where this powerful SkinCeuticals formula comes in. Offering high UVA and UVB protection with advanced UV filters. Why does this matter? The filters help to prevent any UV-induced hyperpigmentation, dark spots and collagen breakdown. Lightweight and fast absorbing, it isn't the most hydrating one we've tried, so you would still want to add one of the best face moisturisers on top of this sun protection. 

Buy if: You want advanced UVB protection
Avoid if: You're on a budget