9 Best Lightweight Sunscreens For Oily, Acne-Prone Skin

Last Updated on April 2, 2024

Can’t find a sunscreen that feels comfortable on your oily skin? It’s no reason to avoid sun protection anymore!

Sunscreen has become essential in our morning skincare routines. It protects our skin from tanning, and sunburns and even delays fine lines and wrinkles. So applying broadspectrum sunscreen before stepping out in the sun is crucial to keep your skin healthy, even-toned, and youthful.

But when you have oily skin, you can’t just use a random sunscreen. Oily skin is prone to clogged pores and breakouts and also tends to get shiny quite often. 

And a lot of sunscreens have pore-clogging ingredients that tend to worsen acne. They may even make you sweat more profusely or have a heavy, sticky finish.

So oily-skinned folks need a sunscreen that feels lightweight, prevents shine, and most importantly- doesn’t give any more pimples! And there are plenty of options that are comfortable to wear on even the hottest days of Indian summer. 

How To Choose The Best Sunscreen For Oily Skin

• SPF:

While choosing a sunscreen for your skin, it is always important to choose a formula that provides adequate protection against both UVA and UVB rays. So sunscreens that offer “broad-spectrum” protection and have at least SPF 30 are the best choice for daily wear. And if you spend several hours in the sun, choose a formula with SPF 50 or higher rating. 

• Consistency:

If you don’t want your skin to look greasy by mid-day, you also need to choose a sunscreen that is lightweight and easy to blend. Gels, serums, or thin lotions work best but silicone-based creams are also a good choice for oily skin.

Note: Silicone-based sunscreens may aggravate acne for some people so keep that in mind if your skin gets easily clogged.

• Sun Filters:

There are three types of sunscreen formulas you can choose from- mineral, chemical, or hybrid sunscreens. Mineral sunscreens are a good pick if you have sensitive, acne-prone, or damaged skin barrier.

• Keywords:

While looking through sunscreen labels, keep an eye out for words like “mattifying”, “non-comedogenic”, “oil-free”, “dry touch”,”non-greasy”, or “pore minimizing” as they are usually used on sunscreens designed for oily skin.

Also Read: Best Mineral Sunscreens In India for Sun Protection

Best Sunscreens For Oily Skin In India

Finding a sunscreen formula that suits your skin well always involves some trial and error. You need to use a few different formulas to see which works best for your skin. Here are the best sunscreen options for oily skin in India to add to your wishlist.

1. Qurez Mattifying Mineral Sunscreen

SPF 30 PA+++
Mineral Formula
No white cast
Water-resistant
Fragrance-free

One of the few mineral sunscreens in India that is silicone-free, the Qurez mineral sunscreen is a great option for acne-prone skin. It has a creamy texture that blends within seconds and settles in a matte finish that is comfortable to wear even in peak summers.

The sunscreen is formulated with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide but leaves no white cast on the skin. It also has antioxidant-rich ingredients like Vitamin E, seabuckthorn extract, and matcha which enhance sun protection.  Read full review here.

2. Earth Rhythm Phytoshield Mineral Sunscreen

SPF 50 PA+++
Mineral Formula
No white cast
Water-resistant
Fragrance-free

This silicone-based sunscreen has a thick gel-like texture that blends easily and settles into a powder-matte finish. The formula is lightweight on the skin and acts as a makeup primer too. 

The Earth Rhythm mineral sunscreen is formulated with zinc oxide and titanium oxide and leaves no white cast on even deeper skin tones. It suits all skin types and doesn’t feel greasy even in humid climates. Read full review here.

3. Re’equil Ultra Dry Touch Matte Sunscreen Gel

SPF 50 PA++++
Hybrid Formula
No white cast
Water-resistant

This silicone-based sunscreen has a gel-cream texture that is easy to blend and settles into a velvety matte finish. It is lightweight, non-greasy, and works well as a pore-blurring makeup primer too.

The sunscreen has both chemical and mineral sun filters aligned with antioxidants for optimum sun protection. It is also available in mini size which is perfect to carry around for reapplication or to test the formula.

Also Read: Best Salicylic Acid Face Washes For Oily, Acne-Prone Skin

4. Dr. Sheths Centella And Niacinamide Sunscreen

SPF 35 PA+++
No white cast
Water-resistant
Fragrance-free

This silicone-based sunscreen is the perfect summer pick for people with oily skin. The formula has a velvety-matte, primer-like finish and is water-resistant making it suitable for all skin types, especially oily, acne-prone skin.

It is infused with ingredients like niacinamide and centella asiatica extract to control excess sebum and soothe irritated skin. And the powerful, broad-spectrum hybrid filters prevent sun damage by protecting your skin from the harmful effects of UVA & UVB rays.

5. Qurez Matiffying Tinted Sunscreen

SPF 50 PA++++
Hybrid formula
Universal Tint
Water-resistant
Fragrance-free

This tinted sunscreen has a lotion-like texture that spreads easily and works for all skin types. It has a peach tint that will suit Indian skin tones and has a nongreasy texture with a matte finish.

This formula has mineral filters and new-age chemical filters that provided broad-spectrum protection without leaving a white cast on the skin. It also has aloe vera, glycerin, Vitamin E, and green tea extracts to soothe your skin.

Also Read: How To Remove Sun Tan Naturally At Home

6. Dot & Key Cica + Niacinamide SPF 50 Sunscreen

SPF 50 PA+++
Hybrid formula
No white cast
Fragrance-free

Next on the list is a fast-absorbing, water-light sunscreen from Dot And Key. This non-pilling, oil-free, and fragrance-free sunscreen is perfect for oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin and it leaves no white cast behind.

The oxybenzone-free formula is infused with Cica and Niacinamide to fade acne scars and dark spots and soothe irritated skin. It has hybrid sun filters which provide broadspectrum UVA and UVB protection while acting as a shield against environmental pollutants.

7. The Derma Co. 1% Hyaluronic Sunscreen Aqua Gel 

SPF 50 PA++++
Hybrid formula
No white cast
Fragrance-free

This lightweight gel sunscreen goes on smoothly and dries quickly, leaving your skin comfortable and protected. It contains hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and titanium dioxide, which work together to provide all-around protection from the sun.

Plus, this Derma Co. sunscreen is fragrance-free making it suitable for sensitive, acne-prone skin. And the formula is cruelty-free, dermatologically tested and provides broad-spectrum UV protection.

8. Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel

SPF 50 PA++++
Hybrid formula
No white cast
Fragrance-free

Enter the cult favourite of K-Beauty – the sunscreen that’s not just a shield but has a moisturizing formula to minimize irritation, redness, and dehydration. The texture is exceptionally lightweight and gets absorbed effortlessly leaving no white residue behind on your face.

UV Doux Sunscreen goes beyond sun protection, boasting 8 types of hyaluronic acid, Cica, ceramides, and niacinamide for healthy, hydrated and calm skin. With stable UV filters and a fragrance-free formula, it’s a dream sunscreen for those with oily, acne-prone skin.

9. UV Doux Silicone Sunscreen Gel

SPF 50 PA+++
Hybrid formula
No white cast
Water-resistant

UV Doux Sunscreen is a clinically proven formula that contains physical and chemical UV filters to provide you with broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.

If you’re someone with skin that’s a bit tricky, especially on the acne-prone side, this dermatologist-recommended sunscreen’s got your back. The formula is all silicone-based, so there’s no heaviness or sticky residue. Plus, it leaves you with that matte finish, controlling those sebum levels like a boss.

Best Sunscreen For Oily Skin FAQs

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