7 Face Sunscreens We Love — That Don’t Leave Skin Looking Ashy

Say it with me: SPF is key! There is little more important than protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, so it’s imperative that you wear SPF everyday — even if you’re just sitting in front of your computer screen. Sun damage can occur whether you see the telltale sign of a sunburn or not and should be avoided as much as possible. One way to do this is to stay out of the sun, but unless you have plans to never enjoy the summer again, you have to do what you can to protect yourself.

And sunscreen is equally important for babes with deeper skin tones and shouldn’t be skipped, even in the winter. However, finding a great sunscreen for darker skin tones can be challenging. One of the difficulties — particularly with mineral formulas — is the white cast left behind when applied. This, however, does not always have to be the case. We tested a ton of SPF and rounded up sunscreens that don’t leave a white cast while keeping your skin protected.

Peep our picks, ahead:

Mineral Sunblock: These formulas contain titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide, which are white minerals that reflect the sun. Many of them leave a white cast, but our faves below do not.  

Bare Republic Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Lotion

For starters, this formula smells great — which is definitely a plus when it comes to sunscreen. The barely-there tint makes it a great option for a wide range of skin tones, and at $15 a bottle, it’s definitely on the more affordable side of mineral sunscreens. Plus, you can pick this up at your local Target or Walmart.

Unsun Mineral Tinted Sunscreen

Although mineral sunblock is gentler than chemical sunscreen, it is notorious for leaving a white cast once dry, which can be particularly noticeable on darker skin. Katonya Breaux Riley, founder of Unsun Cosmetics, figured out how to change that with her tinted mineral sunscreen. The added pigment eliminates the white cast without sacrificing healthy sun protection — we’re sold.

Chemical Sunscreen: These contain ingredients like avobenzone and homosalate that absorb and break up UV rays. While they’re typically not as white as mineral SPF, our picks below are completely invisible.

La-Roche Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid

With high SPF coverage and thin formula, this sunscreen is easy to re-apply throughout day and never feels heavy on the skin. It works well under makeup and is perfect for babes with oilier skin.

L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition Facial Oil

If you love a good facial oil, this is a great way to sneak in SPF without the use of a heavier lotion. It can be worn alone or layered under your foundation for a healthy, dewy glow.

CoverFX Clear Cover Invisible Sunscreen

This transparent sunscreen contains SPF 30 and dries totally clear. It doesn’t have that telltale sunscreen smell and with a decent amount of sun coverage, it’s perfect for everyday.

Palmer’s Sunscreen Stick
If you like your sunscreen to feel moisturizing too, the Palmer’s Sunscreen Stick is perfect for you. Formulated with ultra-hydrating shea butter and cocoa butter and coconut oil, your skin will be moisturized and protected. Its stick packaging also makes it easy to apply on the go so there’s no reason not to alther it on at least once a day.

Glossier Invisible Shield

If you want your sunscreen to also be ready for the ‘gram, then give this one by Glossier a try. The formula is clear and non-greasy, making it the perfect option for everyday sun protection.