Top 10 Matte Sunscreens
Reduce Your Shine and Stay Protected With A Top-Rated Matte Sunscreen
We all love a good glow, but there's a time and a place for it. For the rest of those moments when we're not busy strobing, we love mattifying sunscreen. Now, this isn't the kind of sunscreen that will turn you a ghostly white—we wouldn't recommend such a thing. Rather, these are special sunscreens that feel like serums, come in innovative packaging so you can touch up during the day, and are packed with potent ingredients to ward off environmental stressors. It's so incredibly important that we protect our skin from sun damage and the trauma that comes along with it. So run, don't walk, to try the following sunscreens that can either be worn under makeup or as a light veil of coverage on their own. You'll be thrilled to check your reflection midday and see a shine-free face looking back at you—sans sun damage and redness. Opening image: @supergoop
Did you enjoy our 10 Best Matte Sunscreens? Then we think you’ll really enjoy our 10 Best Bronzers!
April 3, 2019
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The Rankings
Jouer Matte Moisture Tint SPF 15
BEST FOR: Light sun protection (at SPF 15) and light coverage that can be built to be a bit more substantial.
USERS SAID: "This is the perfect daytime foundation for days when I don't need full coverage. It's light, spreads evenly, stays on relatively well, and evens out skin tone."
Cetaphil Dermacontrol Facial Moisturizer
LOVED FOR: Get three benefits in one product. This lotion will control oil, hydrate, and provide broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.
ABOUT THE BRAND: Since 1947, Cetaphil has been committed to finding innovative solutions to treat skincare needs with five global research and development centers staffed with doctors and other healthcare professionals.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Sunscreen
BEST FOR: Those with the fairest skin will especially love the advanced protection this sunscreen offers, not to mention the free radical protection.
WHAT EXPERTS SAY: This face sunscreen is proven to reduce shine and oil appearances on skin by 46%, even in extreme conditions up to 98.6°F and 80% humidity.
Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45
LOVED FOR: You'll be able to touch up your sunscreen without ruining your makeup with this on-the-go self-dispensing brush.
USERS SAID: "[E]ven better is how easy it is to touch up during the day. This powder formula takes the shine off, and feels lightweight, and is so easy to just dust over my makeup without disturbing anything."
Supergoop! 100% Mineral Smooth & Poreless Matte Screen SPF 40
FUN FACT: Major bonus points for the fact that one ingredient, butterfly bush extract, helps guard your skin from blue light, too.
ABOUT THE BRAND: All Supergoop! products are oxybenzone- and paraben-free.
Volition Beauty Prismatic Luminizing Sheild SPF 50
BEST FOR: If you love having that subtle glow, you'll adore this sunscreen which was designed to leave behind a soft luminescence and matte pearl finish.
USERS SAID: "Volition’s Prismatic Luminizing Shield passed the test of not breaking me out, despite delivering a significant, but oh so necessary SPF factor of 50. I love how fluid the texture of this product is. The radiance is real."
Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35 PA+++
WHAT EXPERTS SAY: In a consumer use survey after 4 weeks of use. 94% agreed that their makeup wears better when applied over this sunscreen while 91% agreed that it prevented mid-day shine.
ABOUT THE BRAND: Every Tatcha purchase you make supports girls’ education around the world through the nonprofit Room to Read.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen
LOVED FOR: At just $8, here's proof that you don't have to break the bank for flawless skin and professionally developed protection.
BEST FOR: This dry-touch lotion is the perfect all-in-one sunscreen for face and body.
Coola Mineral Face SPF 30 Matte Tint
FUN FACT: This formula contains plankton extract from the tropical ocean which helps restore moisture and rejuvenate skin.
USERS SAID: "I don't know all the technical beauty terms so here's my best description—it feels like nothing is on my face. It immediately is absorbed or just smooths into my skin, no oily or chalky feeling."
Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector Broad Spectrum Face Sunscreen SPF 42
USERS SAID: "I love this sunscreen. It doesn’t leave a ghostly cast, it is extremely light on scent, it doesn’t break me out and it gives great sun protection. A little goes a long way and it’s super light and small so I can always carry it [in] my purse."
WHAT IT DOES: This lotion contains paeonia albiflora root extract to help reduce the look of visible pores and scutellaria baicalensis extract to promote the appearance of youthful-looking skin.
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