Best Facial Sunscreen Serums of 2026
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Facial sunscreen serums are a must-have for anyone looking to protect their skin from harmful UV rays while also nourishing it with beneficial ingredients. These lightweight formulas are designed to be worn under makeup and provide a layer of protection that won't feel heavy or greasy on the skin. Many facial sunscreen serums also contain antioxidants and other ingredients that help fight against free radicals and environmental stressors. They come in a range of SPF levels, making it easy to find the perfect one for your skin type and daily needs. Whether you're spending the day outdoors or just running errands, a facial sunscreen serum is an essential step in any skincare routine.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Facial Sunscreen Serums
Neutrogena Clear Face Serum Sunscreen with SPF 60+
Protect your skin from harmful UV rays while preserving its natural moisture barrier with Neutrogena Clear Face Serum Sunscreen. This lightweight, non-greasy face sunscreen with broad spectrum SPF 60+ helps prevent sunburn and fight signs of aging due to UV exposure. Its Helioplex Technology provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, while green tea leaves your skin feeling soft, smooth, and breathable. The fragrance- and oxybenzone-free formula is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, and it works well as a makeup primer that blends in invisibly on all skin tones.
Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50+
The Kiehl's UV Serum SPF is a lightweight facial sunscreen designed to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays with a strong SPF 50+ rating. It includes collagen peptides that help improve your skin’s texture and tone, reducing early signs of aging caused by sun damage. This serum is suitable for all skin types, even if you have oily or acne-prone skin, making it a versatile choice. Its invisible finish means it blends well with any skin tone and layers smoothly under makeup, so you can keep your skin protected without feeling heavy or looking shiny.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios AOX Antioxidant Serum with SPF 50
The La Roche-Posay Anthelios AOX Daily Antioxidant Serum with SPF 50 is a breakthrough water-based serum that provides advanced protection and visibly improves the appearance of fine lines, dark spots, and skin texture. This daily face sunscreen and anti-aging serum protect against sun damage and premature aging while visibly smoothing and blurring fine lines, wrinkles, and pores for an even complexion and younger-looking skin. The powerful antioxidant complex of Baicalin, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E helps protect your skin from free radicals caused by UV rays. It has a sheer finish, is oil-free, and leaves your skin feeling fresh.
Mad Hippie Daily Protective Serum SPF 30
Mad Hippie Sunscreen Serum is designed to protect your skin from harmful UV rays while providing hydration. This lightweight face serum features zinc oxide, which effectively shields your skin from oxidative stress. It's also water-resistant, making it ideal for outdoor activities like swimming or exercising. Suitable for all skin types, its non-nano zinc oxide ensures that the protective particles remain on your skin until you're ready to wash them off. For optimal results, apply it as the final step in your morning routine and reapply as needed throughout the day.
Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50+
Kiehl's UV Serum SPF 50+ is a lightweight sunscreen that offers robust protection against harmful UV rays while also addressing early signs of aging. With its Collagen Peptide, it helps improve your skin's texture and tone, making it ideal for anyone looking to enhance their skin's appearance. This invisible formula is suitable for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin, ensuring a seamless application under makeup. Plus, it boosts your skin's radiance, leaving you with a healthy glow throughout the day.
TruSkin SPF 30 Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Serum
The TruSkin Tinted Sunscreen Serum offers a fresh take on daily sun protection with its lightweight SPF 30 mineral formula. It uses non-nano Zinc Oxide to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays without leaving a white residue, letting your natural skin tone shine through thanks to its universal tint. This serum also hydrates and nourishes your skin with Vitamin C, antioxidants from Prickly Pear, and skin-firming ingredients like Niacinamide and Ceramides. For best results, apply 1-2 pumps to your face and neck after your skincare routine, ensuring even coverage with the included mixing ball. It’s perfect for daily wear, with or without makeup.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 60+ Face Serum
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 60+ Face Serum is a lightweight facial sunscreen serum that provides all-day hydration and broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. Its non-greasy and fragrance-free formula is oxybenzone-free and non-comedogenic, making it perfect for everyday use. The serum also acts as a makeup primer, leaving the skin feeling soft, smooth, and moisturized. It is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and contains vitamin E that nourishes the skin. Use it liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours to prevent sunburn and skin cancer.
Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50+
Kiehl's Better Screen Serum offers strong sun protection with SPF 50+, helping you shield your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. This lightweight serum is perfect for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone, so it won’t clog your pores or feel heavy. The added collagen peptide works to improve your skin’s texture and tone by addressing early signs of aging caused by sun damage. Plus, it leaves an invisible finish that blends well with any skin tone and layers smoothly under makeup, making it a convenient daily addition to your skincare routine.
ONRSV Madagascar Centella SPF50 Facial Serum
The ONRSV Centella Sunscreen Serum offers strong SPF50 protection to keep your skin safe from harmful UV rays during daily outdoor activities. It deeply hydrates your skin with Hyaluronic Acid, helping you maintain a plump and moisturized complexion. The serum’s soothing Centella extract calms sensitive skin, making it suitable for all skin types. Plus, it absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue, providing a fresh, lightweight feel. This serum also works great as a makeup base, helping your makeup stay flawless and long-lasting while nourishing your skin throughout the day.
belif Milky Niacinamide SPF 40 Sunscreen Serum
The belif Niacinamide Sun Serum offers a lightweight, milky texture that smoothly glides onto your skin, creating a soft, matte layer that blurs pores and primes your face for makeup without any sticky feeling. It deeply hydrates by combining niacinamide with seven types of hyaluronic acid, helping your skin stay moist and bouncy throughout the day. This sunscreen also provides an invisible, weightless finish that adapts to all skin tones without leaving any white cast or shine, making it perfect for photos. Plus, it’s gentle and soothing, formulated with calming Cica and tested to avoid clogging pores or causing breakouts, so it’s safe even for sensitive or compromised skin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use face serum with sunscreen?
So it should be serum (the lightest product always goes on first), then moisturizer, then sunblock. And yes, between serum and moisturiser, serum goes on first. If you are also using an essence, that would go on before the serum. Another rule of thumb: wait a minute between putting on each product.
2. Can serum replace sunscreen?
Well, the answer is absolutely NOT! Although both SPF and the citrusy serum have similar properties, their individual effects on our skin cannot be denied. They will only bring more good news when used together.
3. Is SPF serum effective?
If you've ever used a serum, you'll know that a little bit goes a long way—so how effective are sunscreen serums? Shirley Chi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in California, says they sunscreen serums are a great addition to your skin-care routine when used correctly.
During our facial sunscreen serum research, we found 48 facial sunscreen serum products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 76,058 customer reviews through our big data system to write the facial sunscreen serums list. We found that most customers choose facial sunscreen serums with an average price of $18.96.
The facial sunscreen serums are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of facial sunscreen serums, including Neutrogena, Kiehl's, La Roche-Posay, Mad Hippie, TruSkin. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 86 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Lisa Bechard is a skin therapist with 12 years of working experience in the beauty industry and also an experienced beauty writer who has expertise in skincare, medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, and wellness. Her writing skills are excellent and all her content is very persuasive and insightful.