Best Sunscreens for Your Face: Top Picks for Every Skin Type (2024)

A Complete Guide for Every Skin Type

When it comes to skincare, sunscreen is your ultimate shield against harmful UV rays, premature aging, and hyperpigmentation. Living in the UAE, where the sun is strong year-round, means it’s essential to pick the best sunscreen for your face that suits your unique skin type. Whether you have oily, dry, sensitive, or combination skin, choosing the right formula is key to glowing, protected skin. Here’s your guide to finding the perfect sunscreen for your needs.

Sunscreen tips for Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, the thought of adding sunscreen to your routine might seem daunting. But don’t skip it! Look for lightweight, oil free, and mattifying sunscreens that control shine throughout the day. The best sunscreen for oily skin is one that won’t clog your pores and keeps you looking fresh.

A water-based sunscreen gel or fluid with a non comedogenic formula is your go-to. These sunscreens absorb quickly, leaving a matte finish while protecting your skin from sun damage.

Top picks for oily skin:

• Sunscreens with SPF 50+ with zinc oxideor niacinamideand oil-control properties
• Non-greasy, gel-based sunscreens designed for acne prone skin

Our Recommendations:

• The Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Cameliais the perfect solution for oily skin. This lightweight, non-greasy sun stick provides SPF 50+ protection while absorbing excess oil for a shine-free finish.

• The Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel is a lightweight, non-greasy sunscreen designed for oily skin. Infused with 8 types of hyaluronic acid, it provides deep hydration while offering broad-spectrum SPF 50+ protection.

• Eucerin Oil Control Sun-Gel Cream SPF 50+ is specially formulated for oily and acne-prone skin, offering superior sun protection without clogging pores. Its lightweight, non-greasy texture absorbs quickly, leaving a matte finish that controls excess oil throughout the day.

Sunscreen tips for Dry Skin

For those with dry skin, it’s crucial to find a sunscreen that hydrates while offering protection. The best sunscreen for dry skin will have moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin. These sunscreens not only provide broad-spectrum protection but also keep your skin nourished and hydrated throughout the day.

Cream-based sunscreens or those with a rich, emollient texture work best for dry skin, helping to lock in moisture and prevent flakiness or tightness.

Top picks for dry skin:

• Sunscreens with added hydration, like hyaluronic acid or ceramides
• Creamy formulas that offer deep moisturization

Our Recommendations:

• Discover ultimate hydration with Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics, a lightweight sunscreen specially formulated for dry skin. Infused with nourishing rice extract and probiotics, it delivers deep moisture while providing SPF 50+ protection.

• Abib Quick Sunstick Protection Baris the ultimate on-the-go sun protection for dry skin. This lightweight, non-greasy formula provides powerful SPF 50+ protection while delivering essential hydration.

Sunscreen tips for Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin requires extra care when selecting skincare products, and sunscreen is no exception. The best sunscreen for sensitive skin is fragrance free and formulated with gentle, soothing ingredients. Mineral-based sunscreens that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are often recommended, as they provide a physical barrier without irritating your skin.

Look for sunscreens labeled “hypoallergenic” or “for sensitive skin” to avoid redness, irritation, or breakouts.

Top picks for sensitive skin:

• Fragrance-free sunscreens with soothing ingredients like aloe vera or chamomile
• Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide

Our Recommendations:

• Eucerin Sensitive Protect Sun Creamoffers high UVA and UVB protection designed specifically for sensitive skin. This lightweight, non-greasy formula provides immediate sun defense while soothing and calming easily irritated skin.

• Discover the gentle protection of Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream, specially formulated for sensitive skin. This lightweight, non greasy sunscreen offers SPF 50+ protection while soothing and hydrating the skin with a refreshing water based formula.

Sunscreen tips for Combination Skin

If you have combination skin, you may find it tricky to balance the oily and dry areas of your face. The best sunscreen for combination skin is one that provides hydration without clogging pores or causing breakouts. Lightweight, non-greasy formulas are ideal, especially those that offer a balance of moisture for drier areas and oil control for shinier spots.

Opt for sunscreens that provide a semi-matte finis —this will help keep your skin balanced and protected.

Top picks for combination skin:

• Gel or fluid sunscreens that balance hydration and oil control
• Sunscreens with a semi matte finish that doesn’t feel heavy on the skin

Our Recommendations:

• Dermaction Plus by Watsons Advanced Sun Solar Barrier Water Drop Cream Gel is a lightweight, non-greasy formula perfect for combination skin. Offering high sun protection, this cream gel shields your skin from harmful UV rays while keeping it hydrated.

• Avene Hydrance Light Hydrating Emulsion Creamis a perfect lightweight moisturizer designed for combination skin. Enriched with Avene Thermal Spring Water, this cream helps restore the skin's natural moisture barrier, leaving it balanced, smooth, and refreshed.

Choosing the Right SPF

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is one of the most important factors when choosing the best sunscreen for your face. In the UAE, where the sun is intense, it’s recommended to use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. This ensures your skin is protected from both UVA and UVB rays, which can cause sunburn, dark spots, and premature aging.

For everyday use, an SPF 30 sunscreen is sufficient, but if you’re spending a lot of time outdoors or at the beach, opt for SPF 50+ for maximum protection.

Finding the best sunscreen for your face is a vital step in your daily skincare routine, especially in the UAE. Whether you have oily, dry, sensitive, or combination skin, there’s a sunscreen designed just for you. Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays will not only keep your skin looking radiant but also prevent long-term damage. Invest in the right sunscreen for your skin type and embrace a sun-safe, glowing complexion all year round.

Discover a wide range of facial sunscreens tailored to every skin type atWatsonsUAE—your one stop shop for the best skincare products!