Sunscreen should be worn daily, not just when you’re planning to be outside for extended periods of time. It's important to wear a gentle SPF on your face every day and incorporate it into your daily routine.
We've put together a list of the best sunscreen for men that will keep your skin moisturized and protected, starting with our favorite, the Wild Willies Smooth SPF.
Our Overall Favorite: Wild Willies Smooth SPF
Other products to consider:
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EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46
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Every Man Jack SPF 20 Face Lotion
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Harry's Daily Face Lotion
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Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen
Table of Contents
Wild Willies Smooth SPF
Overall Favorite
Wild Willies Smooth SPF is a daily facial moisturizer and sunscreen all in one bottle. It helps keep your skin healthy and moisturized while also protecting it from the sun's harmful rays that can cause premature skin aging. It is SPF 30 and filled with natural ingredients to keep your skin looking its best.
Because there’s SPF built into this face moisturizer, there’s no need to add additional products to your daily skincare routine.
"Best product out there for men with oily skin but still need a moisturizer."
Pros
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Daily moisturizer and SPF all-in-one
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Contains peppermint and eucalyptus essential oil to soothe and moisturize the skin
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Good price point
Best Feature
Formulated to be a daily moisturizer and SPF all-in-one to make it easy to use.
Price & Rating
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Price: $12.94 for a 5 oz. bottle
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Rating: 4.1 ⭐️ (67 reviews)
EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46
Best for Oily Skin
The EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 is a zinc oxide-based sunscreen. It is formulated using niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and lactic acid to keep your skin looking healthy while protecting it from the sun. It is lightweight and oil-free and comes in a tinted option.
"It's so lightweight, doesn't smell at all, and soaks into the skin beautifully!"
Pros
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Paraben, fragrance, and oil-free
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Zinc Oxide based
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Its formula helps calm sensitive, acne-prone skin
Things to Consider
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It is oil-free, which may not be ideal for dryer skin types
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Higher price point than other sunscreens
Best Feature
Its silky and lightweight formula lays seamlessly on the skin.
Price & Rating
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Price: $39 for a 1.7 fl. oz. Bottle
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Rating: 4.6 ⭐️ (951 reviews)
Every Man Jack SPF 20 Face Lotion
Best for Sensitive Skin
The Every Man Jack SPF 20 Face Lotion is a 2-in-1 daily moisturizer and sunscreen. It is formulated using Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, and Glycerin to gently nourish the skin and protect it from the sun.
"I have been using this product almost since its inception. The fact that it had been recommended by several organizations in regard to protection against skin cancer only increased its value to me. Feels great when applied and lasts a decent amount of time during everyday use. My go-to for everyday, morning application use."
Pros
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Natural ingredients and fragrance-free
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Good price point
Things to Consider
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Lower SPF protection than other competitors
Best Feature
Specially formulated for sensitive skin to soften, soothe, and protect.
Price & Rating
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Price: $10 for a 2.5 oz. Bottle
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Rating: 4.9 ⭐️ (56 reviews)
Harry's Daily Face Lotion
Best for Dry Skin
The Harry's Daily Face Lotion is formulated using all clean ingredients. It contains shea butter, mint, and broad spectrum SPF 15 to moisturize and protect the skin. It's made for daily use and doesn't leave a greasy residue.
"It is hydrating, easy to apply, gives the skin a very light glow, and makes it look healthy and young. The SPF is only 15, so it is good for daily use but not recommended if you are spending time directly under the sun."
Pros
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Light peppermint scent
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2-in-1 moisturizer and sunscreen
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Free of parabens, phthalates, and fragrance
Things to Consider
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Small bottle
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Only SPF 15
Best Feature
Its clean formulation is gentle and helps to keep your skin moisturized.
Price & Rating
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Price: $9 for a 1.7 oz. bottle
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Rating: 4.4 ⭐️ (31 reviews)
Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen
Best for Mineral Sunscreen
The Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen is a zinc oxide-based sunscreen that is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. It is formulated using coconut oil and shea butter to simultaneously moisturize the skin while protecting it from the sun.
"This is really, really good for a mineral sunscreen with SPF 50 and without nano zinc - it doesn't leave a white cast, and I'm not all sparkly like a vampire or something. Definitely recommend!"
Pros
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High SPF protection
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The clean formula is for all skin types
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Hypoallergenic
Things to Consider
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Mid-range price point
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Can leave a white cast on the skin
Best Feature
Its hypoallergenic formula is safe for all skin types to use.
Price & Rating
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Price: $17.49 for three fl. oz.
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Rating: 4.2 ⭐️ (48 reviews)
How to Pick the Best Sunscreen for Your Face
When deciding between face sunscreens, you want to pay attention to a few things, including the types of sunscreen you choose and how much protection it provides. Here are the main things we recommend you look for on the label when choosing your facial sunscreen:
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Broad Spectrum: Make sure your SPF is broad spectrum. This means it will protect your skin from UVB and UVA rays. UVB rays cause redness and sunburns, while UVA rays cause cancer and skin aging.
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Mineral vs. Chemical: Mineral sunscreens are either zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. These are natural ingredients and reflect the sun's UV rays away from the skin. Chemical sunscreens contain avobenzone, octinoxate, and oxybenzone, which absorb into the skin and reflect UV rays. Mineral sunscreen is known to be more resistant and lasts longer on the skin.
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Water Resistant: A water-resistant sunscreen will keep protecting your skin even when your skin gets wet. So when you're swimming or sweating, your sunscreen continues to work and lasts longer than sunscreens that aren't water resistant.
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Spray vs. Lotion: How your sunscreen is applied is mostly a personal preference. Whether you choose a spray sunscreen or a lotion, the important part is that it protects your skin from sun damage. Some people with dry skin types prefer a lotion with a lightweight texture that can double as a face moisturizer.
Benefits of Using a Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen for daily sun protection:
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Helps prevent dark spots and sun spots that can age your skin
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Protects your skin from damage caused by ultraviolet radiation
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Prevents your skin from signs of premature ageing like fine lines and wrinkles
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Provides skin hydration that helps moisturize
And don't forget, you should add additional sun protection like a hat and sunglasses if you know you're going to be in the elements for an extended period of time. Protecting your face from the sun's rays can help reduce your risk of skin cancer.
These tips apply to everyone, even those with darker skin tones who don't typically get a "sunburn."
Our Top Pick: Wild Willies Smooth SPF
Our top pick for sunscreen is Wild Willies Smooth SPF. It uses all-natural ingredients and doesn't contain any harsh chemicals that can cause skin irritation. It has SPF 30 protection and contains moisturizing ingredients, so you can use it every day in your daily routine. This lightweight sunscreen lotion won't cause clogged pores, so you can feel confident using it as your daily moisturizer, too.
Smooth Face Moisturizer w/ SPF
$10.00
Your Ultimate Skin Defense Smooth with SPF was specifically created to protect your skin from the harsh damage of the sun. We as men don't typically like to think that we are at risk from being outside, but the harsh… Read More
Other products worth considering:
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Best for Oily Skin: EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46
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Best for Sensitive Skin: Every Man Jack SPF 20 Face Lotion
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Best for Dry Skin: Harry's Daily Face Lotion
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Best Mineral Sunscreen: Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen
Smooth Face Moisturizer w/ SPF
$10.00
Your Ultimate Skin Defense Smooth with SPF was specifically created to protect your skin from the harsh damage of the sun. We as men don't typically like to think that we are at risk from being outside, but the harsh… Read More
