8 Best Tinted Sunscreens for Oily Skin, According to Dermatologists and Glamour Editors

If you can’t leave the house without a blotting sheet, you know the struggle of finding non-greasy skincare products that won’t cause breakouts. The good news: The best tinted sunscreens for oily skin might just be able to help with that. These tinted formulas are typically infused with oil-absorbing ingredients like kaolin clay to help mattify, blur pores, and protect the skin all day long. As a beauty writer, I’m constantly testing the latest sunscreens (including finding the ones that won’t break me out); after years of vetting and consulting with dermatologists, I’ve finally come across the best ones for a flawless, matte finish that keep me slick-free.

Our top pick overall was the Supergoop! Protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint SPF 50 Sunscreen Skin Tint with Ectoin because it provided a ton of coverage, felt extremely lightweight on the skin, and helped blur fine lines and pimples. It has a whopping SPF 50, which keeps skin protected from free radicals and UV, and it also plays well with makeup products like blush, setting powder and bronzer. We also found other options suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, plus a powder sunscreen which can easily be applied over makeup.

The best tinted sunscreens for oily skin, at a glance

Your tinted sunscreens for oily skin questions, answered

What ingredients should you look for when shopping for a tinted moisturizer for oily and acne-prone skin?

According to the dermatologists, people with oily and acne-prone skin should look for products that are labeled “non-comedogenic,” which means that they won’t clog pores. “Powder and solid formulas are great for oily and acne-prone skin as they help absorb excess oil. I’d also look for tinted sunscreens that have lightweight hydrators like hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants to help nourish the skin without occluding its barrier,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based in NYC

Can you wear a tinted sunscreen with makeup?

In short, yes, you can wear a tinted sunscreen with makeup. Some tinted sunscreens can even take the place of foundation, according to Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC. “Some tinted sunscreens are buildable so you can get more coverage if you apply more layers,” she says. If you’re wearing it under makeup, apply your tinted sunscreen first and then add your foundation on top. “Tinted formulas will work when you wear them beneath makeup—they will add a little extra coverage, too,” says Dr. Engelman.

How often should you reapply tinted sunscreen?

“Tinted sunscreens should be reapplied as often as non-tinted sunscreen,” Dr. Engelman says. “The general rule of thumb is to reapply every hour and more frequently if you are sweating or swimming. Particularly for oily skin, it can be beneficial to reapply with a powder sunscreen to help control shine throughout the day.”

We tested tinted sunscreens for oily skin by evaluating their formats (if they were liquid, cream, or powder), their longevity, and if they kept our skin grease-free and matte all day. We chose formulas that matched our respective skin tones and were free of pore-clogging ingredients like oils and ingredients. We also looked for tinted sunscreens that kept our skin hydrated and sensitivity-free and those that didn’t skip, pill, or move, even while we sweated it out during a hot day outside.

Best Overall: Supergoop! Protec(tint) Daily Tint SPF 50 Sunscreen

Supergoop! Protec(tint) Daily Tint SPF 50 Sunscreen

Original photo from Jazmin Gathers testing Supergoop! Protec(tint) Daily Tint SPF 50 Sunscreen

Pros: Buildable, lightweight finish, absorbs sebum
Cons: May take a few coats to cover acne and blemishes

If you’re on the hunt for a tinted sunscreen that’s suitable for everyday wear, we love this SPF tint. It has ectoin which helps protect from blue light, zinc oxide to protect against UVA and UVB rays, and hyaluronic-acid infused clays to help balance hydration and oiliness.

“The skin tint literally looks like skin,” says Glamour senior manager of social media, Jazmin Gathers. “The coverage is light but buildable, and the color match is literal perfection. I tend to have oily skin so I set it with a little powder, but I didn’t feel like the product itself was oily. I didn’t have to reapply it and it gave me a natural glow without looking too shiny.”

Best Tinted Moisturizer: Tarte BB Blur Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30

Tarte BB Blur Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30

Pros: Soft matte, blurring finish that will hide fine lines and absorb grease
Cons: Pricey for the amount of product

Dr. Engelman recommends looking for products with mattifying ingredients. “Oily and acne-prone skin types should avoid sunscreens that contain oil, as adding more oil to already oily skin will increase the risk of clogged pores and acne breakouts,” she says.

This is why the Tarte BB Blurring Tinted Moisturizer has become such a favorite of Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary, who has combination, acne-prone skin, as it’s free of mineral oils and other pore-clogging additives. “This cloud-like tinted moisturizer has a blend of diamond powder, amino acids, and plant extracts that help soften and smooth my pores and fine lines, plus kaolin clay to suck up excess oil,” she says. “I wore this during a 12-hour Saturday running errands, all the way through dinner and a jazz bar, and it didn’t budge, slip, or move in the slightest. The formula is simply dreamy to the touch and glides effortlessly onto skin with little blending required.It also played really well with my concealer, blush, and bronzer. I can see myself wearing this one well into the warmer months because it’s seriously reliable, keeps me matte, and is totally shine-free.”

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free Matte SPF 30

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free Matte SPF 30

Pros: Blurs pores, weightless finish
Cons: Has fragrance, which make it sensitive to some

If you struggle with acne in particular, Dr. Engelman recommends reaching for a formulation that has mattifying ingredients, like this pick with kaolin clay. It’s also important to avoid products with harsh chemicals, as this can lead to excess inflammation, she notes.

“I’m a massive fan of this super smooth tinted moisturizer with SPF 30 because it calms my skin like no other,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary. “I deal with a lot of redness around my nose and bumps on my chin, and this pick makes my skin look a lot smoother and even-textured. It also really holds up to its mattifying claims.I wore this out to a wedding on the beach in 84-degree Florida (with no shade!) and it didn’t slip or sweat off. I didn’t have any sensitivity or burns after the long, hot day in the sun. This will become my new everyday tinted sunscreen for summer.”

Best for Mature Skin: Peter Thomas Roth Max Mineral Tinted Sunscreen SPF 45

Peter Thomas Roth Max Mineral Tinted Sunscreen SPF 45

Pros: Helps hide uneven texture and fine lines
Cons: Only comes in one tinted shade

This lightweight SPF pick addresses redness and dullness thanks to safflower extract and vitamin E and vitamin C. It also contains all mineral SPFs, which physically block UV rays to help combat wrinkles and signs of aging skin.

“This tinted sunscreen is super lightweight and matches my skin tone perfectly. It looks and feels like I have nothing on my face, yet at the same time my skin looked flawless and it did give me coverage. I would honestly wear this as a foundation. It didn’t leave any white residue that usual sunblocks containing zinc leave. I would definitely recommend this for daily use,” says Global Executive Director, Creative Strategy at Condé Nast, Norell Zable.

Best for Combination Skin: EltaMD UV Daily SPF 40 Tinted Face Sunscreen

EltaMD UV Daily SPF 40 Tinted Face Sunscreen

Pros: No white cast, non-comedogenic, quickly absorbs, can be worn alone or with makeup
Cons: Only two shades

This facial sunscreen pick is a favorite of Dr. Spearman. “It has 5% of vitamin B3, which is helpful in reducing skin blemishes and balancing out discoloration,” she says. “It also contains zinc oxide which will protect skin from UVA/UVB damage.” If you have combination skin, this sunscreen is a great contender as well because it contains hyaluronic acid to keep dry skin areas deeply moisturized.

“As a Black woman, I’ve always been a bit wary of tinted sunscreens,” says Associate Manager of Audio Audience Strategy at Condé Nast, Miah Hardy. “No one wants to trade sun protection for an ashy finish. But this tinted formula completely won me over. Not only does it protect my skin, but it also leaves a beautiful, healthy glow. No chalkiness, no weird cast, just radiant skin. If you love a skincare routine that doubles as makeup, this sunscreen is definitely worth a try.”

Best Powder: Brush On Block SPF 50 Mineral Powder Sunscreen

Brush On Block SPF 50 Mineral Powder Sunscreen

Pros: Mineral formula, easy to apply and target to specific areas
Cons: Can be a bit messy

Dr. King loves this tinted mineral sunscreen because it has no white cast and is completely grease-free, thanks to its powder format. “As with any SPF product, you should reapply every two hours, and this one makes it easy to do so,” she says.

“I love a good setting powder, but I have to say, this is the very first one I’ve tried with SPF in it and was thoroughly impressed,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary. “The powder itself is very finely milled and immediately mattified my skin after application. I focused it mostly on my T-Zone area and chin, where I get most oily, and didn’t feel the need to reapply until hours later. I did apply this twice during my eight-hour work day, but found that it generally kept me grease and shine-free. I’d highly recommend this to anyone who wants an easy reapplication of SPF for their skincare routine, especially if you’re going to be out in the sun for a few hours.”