9 Best Face Sunscreen for Men – Natural and Sensitive Options in 2023

There’s no way around it: the best face sunscreen for men is a must, even in winter. It’s not just for long days outside in the direct sun. Exposure happens on your daily commute, as you pass by a window, even while you sit at your computer (yes, the blue light from your screen is affecting your skin). There’s not just plain old aging to worry about, either, but also pigmentation and cancer.

At the risk of sounding like a fear-monger, I’ll stop there. But the point is, you need a great sunscreen for your precious face. The good news is, there are plenty. And these days, the best face sunscreen for men doesn’t just offer protection. It also nourishes the skin with top-tier ingredients like hyaluronic acid. Many are packed with antioxidants like Vitamin E. They come with aloe vera and green tea for soothing anti-inflammatory effects. In short, these sunscreens do it all—and then some.

And forget about that thick, white cast. A bunch of sunscreens on this list are sheer or matte and feel deliciously light on the skin. Some are even built right into moisturizers. Never again can you say sunscreen doesn’t fit into your morning routine.

Here are 9 of the very best men’s sunscreen for face protection. Take a peek.

Key Takeaways

The best face sunscreen for men is broad spectrum and protects against blue light, like Horace mattifying face moisturizer. It doesn’t have any toxic synthetic ingredients and contains soothing, hydrating naturals like aloe vera which is great for your skin.

Simplifying your morning routine is easy with a moisturizer sunscreen combo like Cetaphil oil-free with SPF 35. For even easier application, choose Sun Bum’s roller sunscreen or La Roche Posay Anthelios spray for both face and body.

It’s hard to pick a number one when so many men’s sunscreens put in solid work. But the mattifying face moisturizer from Horace takes the cake. While many sunscreens protect against UVA and UVB light, Horace also works against blue light, providing a top-tier barrier at all times of day.

If all that protection makes you think thick and greasy, think again. I love this sunscreen because it’s matte. Nobody wants a shiny face. And there’s no white cast, either, meaning it’s great on black skin. Perfect for all skin tones and types.

The best face sunscreen for men is also soothing and gentle thanks to pure aloe vera juice, its first ingredient. 99% of all ingredients are naturally derived, which we love in this age of so much chemical and toxin overexposure. No parabens, silicones, or mineral oil here.

Beneficial Ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Antioxidant Complex, Aloe Vera Juice, Silica | Size: 2.5oz | Skin Type: All | SPF: 30

As someone with moderately sensitive skin, most sunscreen burns my face. Neutrogena, on the other hand, never irritates me. Even though this one has a zinc formulation, it doesn’t feel thick or heavy on the skin. Nothing is worse than having to spend 15 minutes rubbing your white cast face back to normalcy.

Like all the best face sunscreens for men, this one is broad spectrum. And it’s unscented, meaning it’s free from any agitating fragrance. Plus, it’s got a whopping 50 SPF, which is great for fair skin dudes. For a delightfully low price, this is some seriously good sunscreen.

Beneficial Ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Vitamin E | Size: 2oz | Skin Type: All | SPF: 50

If there was a Cetaphil altar, I would worship it. As someone with sensitive, acne-prone skin, nothing has changed my life quite like their calming, fragrance-free products. This sunscreen is gentle and specially formulated for combination sensitive skin and contains none of the junk that would otherwise irritate skin.

For something so gentle, it still has a lot of the goods, like antioxidants in a provitamin B5 formula and edelweiss flower extract that repairs the skin barrier. Because it’s an SPF moisturizer, you’ll love that it saves you time in the morning by combining two skincare steps into one. Perfect for the low-maintenance dude. It even comes in a handy pump bottle, so there’s no excuse for not wearing sunscreen.

It does have a mineral formula, but it’s extremely gentle and oil, paraben, and fragrance-free. People also love that it absorbs quickly into the skin.

Beneficial Ingredients: Provitamin Blend, Avobenzone, Glycerin | Size: 3oz | Skin Type: All | SPF: 35

Safe and full of goodness, Dermalogica isn’t your regular sunscreen. First, not only does it protect against UVA, UVB, and blue light, it creates a barrier on the skin against pollution. It’s also the safest option for marine life.

Now to the goodness. A good sunscreen doesn’t have to have extras, but the best face sunscreen for men knows how to compete. If your face is particularly sensitive, dry, or agitated, then you’ll love the mushroom complex that calms irritated skin. Green tea extract only furthers the effect. It’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory.

Finally, doses of hyaluronic acid plump the skin to restore that youthful glow you never noticed went missing.

Beneficial Ingredients: Non-nano Zinc Oxide | Size: 1.7oz | Skin Type: All | SPF: 30

If you’ve ever been to a dermatologist, you’ve likely left with samples of Elta MD. Derms love it, and for good reason. It’s got a high SPF and boasts age-fighting ingredients while also protecting your skin from harsh sun rays. Why not let your sunscreen double as skincare?

Antioxidant ingredients like vitamin E fight hard against free radicals and hyaluronic acid gives you a boost of hydration. I know far too many men who skimp on moisturizer in their skincare routines. If you’re that sweaty guy, then you’re going to love the sport formulation. Perfect for an active lifestyle.

Beneficial Ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Vitamin E | Size: 3oz | Skin Type: All | SPF: 50

La Roche Posay is another brand touted by derms, but it’s more widely available. You can find it at your local drugstore. The spray variety is perfect for both face and body. Ideal if you’re the guy who complains about having to rub in sunscreen. Though I do recommend you spray it into your hands first to avoid any sunscreen seeping into your eyes.

The reason derms love it is that it’s gentle for sensitive skin and free from agitating ingredients like parabens, alcohol, and fragrances. It’s also got thermal spring water in its formulation. I know, who cares, right? But it’s rich in selenium, which protects against cell damage. It also has the highest SPF on this list. Good to know if you’re prone to burns.

Beneficial Ingredients: Avobenzone, Thermal Spring Water | Size: 5oz | Skin Type: All | SPF: 60

Technically a roller ball, Sun Bum is perfect for the lazy guy who doesn’t want to fuss with a spray or bother rubbing on lotion. If that greasy, thick feeling is your nightmare, have no fear. Sun Bum rolls on silky smooth for a nice sheer finish. Pretty good for a mineral zinc oxide sunscreen.

It comes with all the goodies you’ll find in more traditionally applied sunscreens, like vitamin E. While it’s beneficial for your skin, it’s also specifically designed to be reef-friendly. In case you didn’t know, traditional sunscreens bleach the beautiful coral reef.

Beneficial Ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Vitamin E | Size: 3oz | Skin Type: All | SPF: 50

Pimple prone people, take heed. Just when you finally get your skin under control, throwing a new sunscreen into the mix can be distressing. But now there’s a sunscreen specifically designed to be non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) for those prone to breakouts. And of course, it’s from Neutrogena, a brand that understands acne.

As one would hope, this best face sunscreen for men is oil-free. And because your skin is naturally oily, you’re going to love the ultra-light matte finish. If you struggle with acne, you likely need this sunscreen in your grooming arsenal.

Beneficial Ingredients: Avobenzone, Oxybenzone | Size: 3oz | Skin Type: All | SPF: 55

I personally am obsessed with Supergoop. My friend’s husband loves the pore-perfecting, primer-like quality of the Unseen Sunscreen. Anyways, Play is another great formulation that is perfect not just for your face but also your body. It’s broad spectrum, fast-absorbing, and would never ever paint your face in that creepy white cast.

Because Supergoop is a newer company, they pay special attention to the details. Is it reef friendly? Yep. Does it come packed with antioxidants like rosemary leaf and sunflower extract? You betcha. And you best believe it’s water-resistant, too. This is the best face sunscreen for men to truly sweat in. Yard work, here ya come. Just don’t forget to get your neck.

Beneficial Ingredients: Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Sunflower & Rosemary Leaf Extracts | Size: 5.5oz | Skin Type: All | SPF: 50

What to Look for When Buying the Best Face Sunscreen for Men

Ingredients

When it comes to the best face sunscreen for men, there’s chemical and then there’s mineral. Chemicals like avobenzone absorb and disperse light rays, while minerals like zinc oxide block them. Both work well, but derms recommend mineral sunscreens for those with sensitive skin.

The best face sunscreen for men usually comes packed with nourishing extracts for hydration, like hyaluronic acid. Antioxidants like vitamin E are also common. These ingredients all combine to protect your face against the sun while nourishing your skin.

Broad Spectrum

You’ll notice that most decent sunscreens mention broad spectrum. This term means it protects against UVA light, which inhibits aging, and UVB light, which causes the skin to burn. Some sunscreens even protect against the blue light coming from your computer. Make sure your daily facial sunscreen is broad spectrum, at minimum.

SPF

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone wear a daily SPF of at least 30 because it provides 97% of protection against photons. Obviously, higher SPFs of 50 and 60 provide even more protection, but 30 SPF should be your minimum.

Final Verdict

The best sunscreen for men is Horace mattifying face moisturizer. It protects against UVA and UVB light as well as blue light from your computer screen. Besides sun protection, it contains nourishing ingredients like aloe vera that hydrate the face. Mattifying properties mean no shiny face. It rubs in like a charm on all skin types.