8 Clean Sunscreens That Won't Leave a White Cast Behind

Best Overall: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

Supergoop!'s sunscreens have gained a cult-following over the last few years simply because they deliver when it comes to sun protection and, unlike most formulas, they don’t feel icky to apply. As the name suggests, this goes on completely clear (no matter your skin tone) and its silky smooth finish feels more like a makeup primer than sunscreen. Yet, the invisible veil of coverage protects skin from the sun's harmful rays with broad-spectrum SPF 40 and even serves as a shield against blue light emitted by electronic devices.

As soon as we applied the sunscreen, it absorbed instantaneously, leaving a soft, velvety finish. Throughout the day, we noticed that the formula never got heavier or felt cakey — it remained lightweight and undetectable until it was time for our nighttime skincare routine. At the end of the day, it required no extra scrubbing to dissolve and came off with just a gentle cleanser.  

Keep in mind that because of the product's gel-like consistency, it can make those with oily-prone skin look shiny. We noticed a slight sheen on our t-zone due to existing oily skin concerns, but truthfully, we didn’t mind. Depending on your preference, the shine can be easily covered with powder or concealer.

SPF Protection: SPF 40 | Reef-Safe: Yes | Size: 1.7 oz

Best for Sensitive Skin: Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

Formulated with gentle and nourishing ingredients, this Biossance pick is a rare sunscreen that's safe for extremely sensitive skin. If you've ever gotten red and splotchy after just a few minutes in the sun or have experienced SPF-related breakouts, this product could be the solution. 

We loved how lightweight, cooling, and surprisingly pleasant this was to apply during our lab test. Unlike the Supergoop! sunscreen, this one is a mineral-based SPF — mineral sunscreens provide a physical layer of protection between your skin and UV rays, but they are notoriously difficult to blend and often leave behind a white cast. That wasn’t the case for this one. It smoothly absorbed and left us with zero white cast. Instead, we had a glowy finish. Plus, while many sunscreens cause irritation around the delicate eye area, this did not, thanks to the calming plant-derived water lily.  

We could still feel the product atop our skin 15 minutes after application, but it wasn’t sticky or greasy, it just felt like a lingering super-packed moisture boost. If you’re prone to dry skin, it’ll become a much-needed hero in your daily skincare routine. Though, if you lean more oily, you may find the hydration-rich formula a bit too dewy. A quick pat of pressed powder can zap away that shine for a more natural finish.

SPF Protection: SPF 30 | Reef-Safe: Yes | Size: 1.7 oz

Best for Deep Skin Tones: Black Girl Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30

This sunscreen was made with Black skin in mind — but that doesn't mean it's not a great option for everyone else, too. The clean formula, which is infused with moisturizing jojoba and avocado, leaves skin soft, smooth, and protected. Best of all, it doesn't leave a white film behind or cause purple discoloration on deeper skin tones like most traditional mineral sunscreens do.

The creamy yet lightweight formula melted into our skin almost immediately without any rubbing, just gentle tapping. The recommended nickel-sized dollop more than covered our face and even accounted for our neck and chest, and it absorbed similar to a moisturizer, leaving behind a healthy dewy look, like we just left a rejuvenating facial. We were surprised to find that it actually imparted a cooling sensation, too — making it especially lovely to reapply when we needed a quick reprieve from summer heat. 

The water-resistant claims held up during testing, too: We doused our face in water, mimicking the effect of sweaty summer stroll, and the sunscreen didn’t budge.

We loved everything about this sunscreen, especially the fact that it can (and should) be used by everyone. With that said, we wish the name was a little less gendered so it doesn't deter folks who may think it's only for women.

SPF Protection: SPF 30 | Reef-Safe: Yes | Size: 3 oz

Best Multitasking: Honest Beauty Clean Corrective Tinted Moisturizer with Vitamin C

This four-in-one tinted moisturizer-meets-sunscreen is a minimalist beauty lover’s dream — it offers SPF 30 protection, blue light defense, and is crafted with  vitamin C to address uneven skin tone and actively repair previous sun damage. 

The creamy texture was easy for us to apply with our fingers. We loved the way it diffused our hyperpigmentation and hid the look of fine lines and blemishes with a soft, natural finish. With our busy schedule and on-the-go lifestyle, we appreciated the way it downsized our typical morning beauty routine. The convenient tube was also small enough to throw in our bag for midday touch-ups (though we never felt the need to refresh our look).

Finding our shade for our deep skin wasn’t a challenge, but the minimal range (there are only nine options) was a bit lackluster. We hope that Honest Beauty expands the offerings to become more inclusive. 

It's worth mentioning that although this CCC cream targets a variety of skincare problems, it's not a classic sunscreen. To get the full sun-protection benefits, you would  need to apply two finger-lengths worth of product on your face. Unless you plan to apply that much tinted moisturizer, it's wise to apply an actual sunscreen first.

SPF Protection: SPF 30 | Reef-Safe: Yes | Size: 1 oz

Best Serum: EleVen by Venus Williams Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35

Venus Williams definitely understood the assignment when she created EleVen sunscreen. The formula contains broad spectrum SPF 35 plus a cocktail of hydrating and calming ingredients like coconut fruit extract, allantoin, and shea butter. Whether you wear it over moisturizer or under makeup, it absorbs quickly and leaves skin feeling velvety smooth.

There's certainly a lot to love about this SPF, but if we could change anything, it would be the fragrance. There's nothing more refreshing than a citrus-y scent, but for some, fragrance can irritate the skin. Although it's not too overpowering, you may want to perform a patch test prior to applying if you think you might be reactive to the fragrance. According to Dr. Corey L. Hartman, a board certified dermatologist based in Birmingham, Alabama, it's best to apply a small amount of sunscreen to the underside of your wrist. "The skin is thin in that area and also sensitive, so it reacts similarly to skin on the face," he says. If you have no reaction, the sunscreen should be fine to use on other parts of the body without issue.

SPF Protection: SPF 35 | Reef-Safe: Yes | Size: 1 oz

Best Oil: Mele No Shade Sunscreen Oil SPF 30

Do you prefer using an oil over a traditional creamy moisturizer? If so, this Mele sunscreen oil might be perfect for you. Created for people of color by dermatologists of color, it leaves nothing behind — except a dewy finish. To apply, massage the SPF 30-infused oil into your skin as the last step in your morning skincare routine. Give it a few seconds to absorb and watch as it gives you an immediate glow.

Because it's an oil, it can feel a bit greasy for those with already oily skin. We recommend using a powder foundation on top to eliminate some of the excess shine.

SPF Protection: SPF 30 | Reef-Safe: No | Size: 1 oz

Best Stick: Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+ with Vitamin E

Neutrogena is one of the most trusted brands when it comes to skin and sun care. This stick is an ideal on-the-go-option because it is spill-proof, goes on clear, and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. The formula also offers vitamin E to nourish skin and protect it from environmental damage while you're outside.

The nature of sunscreen sticks can sometimes mean less coverage, especially when it comes to getting those hard-to-reach spots around the nose. To ensure even application, try smoothing the stick over your face slowly, section by section in a mirror.

SPF Protection: SPF 50 | Reef-Safe: Yes | Size: 1.5 oz