Gel sunscreens are your best bet.

For oily or acne-prone skin, skip the thick white creams. Look for sunscreens labeled “gel,” “matte finish,” or “oil-free” — they’ll absorb faster and won’t sit on top of your skin like a grease slick.

Zinc oxide or silicones (like dimethicone) are the ingredients that actually keep shine in check without clogging pores. Avoid any sunscreen with added oils or heavy emollients like shea butter. Brands like Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin, or even Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Matte are good starting points.

Test one at a time. No sunscreen is universally perfect, but a gel-based formula is the closest thing to a safe bet for oily skin.

Don’t be afraid of silicones — they rinse off easily and won’t cause breakouts like oil-based products will.