By Mariela
Updated: April 11, 2023
6 minutes
If there is one step that must not be missed in skincare, it is sun protection. Moreover, it is not applying sunscreen once and being done for the day. Sunscreens need to be applied every 2-4 hours depending upon the duration you spend under direct sunlight.
But if you are conscious just like me, you would not like touching your skin with your hands often without washing your face and hands properly. So, what to do when you cannot cleanse your skin 3 or more times per day? Sunscreen sticks are right here to save the day for you and make sun protection completely hassle-free.
If you are looking for some recommendations to get an affordable yet potent sunscreen stick, I have something for you. So, without further delay, let us check out the list of the 12 best facial sunscreen sticks for hassle-free sun protection.
12 Best Sunscreen Sticks For Face
1. Neutrogena Beach Defense Water-Resistant Sunscreen Stick
Pros
● Pocket-friendly
● Clinically proven and dermatologist recommended
Cons
● Makes skin greasy
Neutrogena beach defense sunscreen stick is a chemical-based sunscreen with no white cast that provides supreme broad-spectrum sun protection on a hot summer day. It is a lightweight and oil-free sunscreen stick that works to prevent sunburns and skin cancers.
Moreover, it has no oxybenzone and PABA that damage the skin barrier. It is also easy to apply and provides a glowy finish. But it can make your skin oily as well. Its helio plex technology with water-resistant formulation allows it to last for 80 minutes on your beach vacations.
2. CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen Stick
Pros
● Contains 3 essential ceramides
● Non-comedogenic
● Lacks oxybenzone
Cons
● Have white cast
If you are a fan of CeraVe moisturizers and cleansers, its sunscreen stick won’t disappoint you either as it is a 100% mineral sunscreen with microfine zinc oxide as its main ingredient. It contains no fragrance or oxybenzone and doesn’t leave any residue as well. In addition to zinc oxide, it has ceramides and titanium dioxide as well for skin protection and restoration.
Moreover, it is developed by dermatologists and is safe for everyday use. CeraVe sunblock stick resists water for 40 minutes and is free of any oils or pore-clogging ingredients making it safe for acne-prone skin types.
3. Abib Quick Sunstick Protection Bar
Pros
● Contains hydrating and barrier-strengthening ingredients
● Curved design for thorough application
Cons
● Not suitable for oily skin
Abib quick sun stick protection bar is a transparent sunscreen stick with a curved design that glides smoothly on the contours of the face and has no white cast altogether. It contains Centella and green tea extract that soothe the skin, ceramides, acacia peptides that strengthen the skin barrier, and lastly, aloe leaf juice and cucumber extract that hydrates the skin.
Its portable size and ergonomic design allows you to use it any time anywhere without worrying about your makeup or skin texture as it leaves no place on your face without sun protection. Moreover, you only need 6 glides for your face and neck requiring less than a minute.
4. [TOCOBO] COTTON SOFT SUN STICK
Pros
● Smooth non-sticky finish
● Does not smudge makeup
Cons
● Contains silica
TOCOBO sunblock stick has been grabbing attention lately for its silk-like soft texture, matte finish, and anti-inflammatory ingredients. It contains herb AC complex, cotton extracts, sundrops, and lobata root extract.
These ingredients hydrate the skin, shrink pores, and manage oil-moisture levels. It is also cruelty-free and vegan. Lastly, it is affordable as well making it a good choice for people with oily to combination skin types.
5. Supergoop! Glow Stick
Pros
● Offers a dewy glowing finish
● Enriched with antioxidants
Cons
● Can make skin sweaty and oily
Supergoop glow stick is a weightless non-sticky sunscreen stick that offers a glowy finish. So, it works amazingly for people with dry skin. It contains buriti, pracaxi, and tamanu oils which moisturize the skin and protects it against damage.
It is an oxybenzone-free sun stick with a literally invisible application making it perfect to be applied on the go. However, you might want to consider a matte sun stick if your skin is oily.
6. Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick
Pros
● Oxybenzone-free according to Hawaii regulations
● No white cast
Cons
● Not compatible with acne-prone skin
Shiseido clear sunscreen stick is an active sunscreen with wetforce x heatforce technology. Additionally, it has SynchroSheild technology. So, its efficiency increases in a hot and humid environment.
This non-comedogenic sun stick is a clear and lightweight sunscreen stick that can also be used over makeup. It can last 2-4 hours and is free of oxybenzone and octinoxate. Furthermore, it is cleared by dermatologists and ophthalmologists.
7. AHC Natural Perfection Sun Stick
Pros
● Provides a soft and dewy finish
● Does not irritate sensitive skin
Cons
● It smudges and smears the makeup
AHC natural perfection double shield sun stick is a broad spectrum spf50 sunblock with patented UV IR block technology that protects skin against UV as well as IR light rays. It also has 5 types of water to thoroughly hydrate the skin and fruit extracts to improve its health.
Moreover, it has a photo protect complex that calms irritated skin and soothes it. Most of its ingredients are derived naturally making it gentle on the skin.
8. Nature Republic California Aloe Sun Stick
Pros
● Non-greasy and oil-free
● Easy to apply
Cons
● It is not fragrance-free
If you are obsessed with a K-pop brand, you must have seen a Nature Republic sunscreen stick in the hands of an idol. Well, this is totally worth the hype because of its alcohol-free non-greasy formula that provides a matte finish and pore primer effect.
It has a light aloe scent, a smooth texture, and a slightly curved shape. So, it can be applied easily on the cheeks, under the eyes, neck, and shoulder area. Moreover, it has a big size so it can last for quite a while.
9. [Beauty of Joseon] Matte sun stick
Pros
● Contains skin-soothing ingredients
● Controls sebum production in the skin
Cons
● Not suitable for dry skin
After the love Beauty of Joseon sunscreen received from people in 2022, it is now available in stick form as well. This palm-sized sunblock stick contains silica powder that controls sebum production, mugwort that moisturizes the skin, and camellia that makes it smooth.
Moreover, it has green tea and artemisia extracts that lowers skin temperature. Not to forget its vitamins C and A that nourish the skin. So, if you want a nourishing sunscreen stick with a matte finish, this is the one.
10. Sun Bum Original SPF 30 Sunscreen Face Stick
Pros
● Oil-free, water-resistant, and reef-friendly
● Hypoallergic
Cons
● The size is too small
Sun Bum SPF30 sunscreen stick offers 97% protection against the sun for up to 1.5 hours in addition to 80 minutes of water resistance. It is enriched with vitamin E as well which plays a role in anti-aging.
Additionally, it is reef-friendly, hypoallergenic, and oil-free making it suitable for all skin types and all people. It is also free of gluten, paraben, and animal testing. So, you can use it any time in the day 15 minutes before getting in direct sunlight.
11. CETAPHIL Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Stick
Pros
● Gentle skin-nourishing formula
● Can be used on the delicate skin of lips as well
Cons
● Leaves a white cast on dark skin
CETAPHIL sheer mineral sunblock stick is a small-sized affordable stick that can even be carried in your little cross-body bag. It contains vitamin E to protect the skin against free radicals in addition to titanium dioxide and zinc oxide that reflect the ultraviolet radiation of the sun.
Additionally, it has a non-greasy, non-comedogenic, and chemical-free formula that blends easily into the skin without making you look like a ghost. It also has a microbiome gentle technology that boosts the hydration level of the skin and nourishes it. Moreover, it can be used on sensitive skin areas like lips, earlobes, and eyes.
12. Aveeno Protect + Soothe Mineral Sunscreen Stick
Pros
● Allows a smooth application
● Has no fragrance
Cons
● Feels thick and heavy on the face
Aveeno protect+ soothe mineral sunblock stick is a 100% zinc oxide sun stick. Additionally, it contains pure oat essence. Zinc oxide provides reliable protection against UVA and UVB rays of the sun and oat essence nourishes the skin. So, it protects the skin while being gentle on sensitive skin.
Moreover, it is formulated to glide smoothly on the skin surface for a mess-free application and offers a soft finish. This dermatologist-recommended sunscreen stick is also water-resistant making it last for up to 80 minutes when you are sweating in summer. Lastly, it is free of parabens, parabens, and phthalates.
Conclusion
Sunscreen sticks are a hassle-free method of reapplication of sunblock throughout the day. Such sticks are formulated with ingredients that effectively shield your skin against the sun and they are designed in a way that you need no blending for a smooth finish without any white cast.
So, here I am with the sunscreen sticks you will fall in love with. However, before choosing any sun stick, make sure that it is suitable for your skin type as you want to protect your skin without making it look too oily or too dry.
