A greasy sunscreen with a white cast ruins a carefully applied face. Consumer Reports had a panel test sunscreens for feel and finish
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A greasy sunscreen that leaves a chalky white cast or pills up under makeup can undo an entire morning routine before anyone leaves the house. Texture, scent and how a formula sits under makeup all vary widely between sunscreens, and price doesn't always predict which one feels best on skin.
Consumer Reports had a panel of testers with dry, normal-combination and oily skin evaluate face sunscreens for texture, scent and how well each avoided pilling or a white cast.
Credit: Amazon
Vacation Crystal SPF 50 Invisible Face Gel costs $18.20 and earned Consumer Reports' top pick among face sunscreens, working well across dry, normal-combination and oily skin types. CR's testers nearly unanimously praised the transparent gel formula for spreading more evenly than any other sunscreen in the panel, with one tester noting it eliminated the need to keep rubbing it in thanks to its gel base and its convincing performance as a makeup primer. The formula carries a slick, silicone-heavy feel that testers repeatedly described as silky, with only a faint, inoffensive scent and an applicator tip that made spreading it easy. CR noted this heavy primer-like feel might be overkill for anyone who dislikes silicone's smoothing effect or already uses a separate primer they love.
Credit: Biore
Bioré UV Aqua Rich SPF 50 Weightless Moisturizer costs $14.97 and earned Consumer Reports' distinction for a silky, lightly scented feel, working well across dry, normal-combination and oily skin types. CR's testers praised the silky texture and quick-drying, soft matte finish, with one tester noting it absorbed so fast they initially worried about running out of time to spread it evenly across the face. No tester experienced a white cast, though the light citrusy scent, while pleasant to nearly everyone on the panel, may not suit more sensitive skin. CR also noted the bottle cap proved difficult to open with moisturizer-slicked fingers, though only one tester raised that particular complaint.
Credit: Supergoop!
Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 costs $12.80 and earned Consumer Reports' distinction as a pick for light makeup days, working well across dry, normal-combination and oily skin types. CR's testers found this formula felt more like a traditional sunscreen than the gel-like feel of the Vacation or Bioré picks, describing it as thick without being excessive and more substantial than gel formulas while still comfortable to wear. Some testers noted lingering stickiness after application, and one experienced pilling under makeup, making this pick better suited to lighter makeup days. CR noted the formula carries a lightly citrusy scent similar to the Bioré pick.
Credit: Dermalogica
Dermalogica Protection 50 Sport SPF 50 costs $49, pricier than every other sunscreen in this lineup, and earned Consumer Reports' pick for dry skin, though it tested less well for oily skin types. CR's testers described the texture as luxurious, thick and almost aerated, giving it a high-end feel, though one tester needed extra effort to work it into the skin fully despite it eventually spreading evenly and leaving skin feeling moisturized without heaviness. No tester experienced pilling or a white cast, though the formula left a slight sheen that testers with dry skin liked more than those with oilier skin. CR noted a faint plasticky scent that dissipated quickly and didn't bother any tester, even those sensitive to fragrance.
Credit: La Roche Posay
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Sunscreen SPF 60 costs $30.39 and earned Consumer Reports' distinction for a rich, creamy, dewy feel, working well for dry and normal-combination skin though less suited to oily skin. CR's testers described it as silky and lotion-like with a rich, traditional sunscreen feel that some lighter formulas in this lineup lack, though it required extra rubbing to blend, and one tester experienced both greasiness and a white cast that lightened their skin tint when the two mixed together. Another tester experienced that same greasy quality as pleasant dewiness on dry skin instead, though CR noted this pick lacks the priming quality of the Vacation or Bioré formulas, so testers still layered a separate primer underneath. No tester reported any pilling, and the minor chemical scent split opinion between mild and more noticeably off-putting.