Not All Sunscreen Is Created Equal: Here Are Our Top Picks for Fine Lines (2024)

Our skin care non-negotiable will always be sunscreen, regardless of your age, skin type, or season. The best sunscreens for mature skin, however, offer more than sun protection. Beyond providing a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher, these formulas are chock-full of nourishing ingredients (Niacinamide! Ceramides! Hyaluronic acid!) that can help soften signs of aging, like fine lines, sun spots, and loss of firmness. Mind you, we celebrate aging in all of its forms but we also believe in investing in your skin care and choosing heavy-hitting ingredients that do more than simply hydrate. So we tapped editors and board-certified dermatologists to break down formulas that particularly work well with mature skin and won't accentuate anything you'd prefer not to shine a spotlight on. Let's dive in!

Our Top Picks

• Best Sunscreen for Mature Skin Overall: EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46, $43
• Best Matte-Finish Sunscreen for Mature Skin: SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50, $42
• Best Natural-Finish Sunscreen for Mature Skin: Lightsaver Activated Mineral Sunscreen, $45
• Best Glowy Sunscreen for Mature Skin: Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen, $38
• Best Tinted Sunscreen for Mature Skin: Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40, $44
• Best Korean Sunscreen for Mature Skin: Cosrx Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+, $23 $18
• Best Sunscreen for Fine Lines: Revision Skincare Intellishade Original Tinted Moisturizer SPF 45, $86

Frequently Asked Questions

• How does sunscreen benefit mature skin?
• What ingredients should I look for in sunscreen for mature skin?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Sunscreen for Mature Skin Overall: EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46

Why it's worth it: Allure editors never stop raving about the Best of Beauty-winning EltaMD's UV Clear SPF 46, and James Y. Wang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles, loves it, too. He calls this mineral-based facial sunscreen "one of the lightest and silkiest skin-care products on the market." He shouts out its star ingredient, niacinamide, for its complexion-brightening, moisture-replenishing properties but this particular formula also features hydrating hyaluronic acid to plump skin and "fill in" fine lines.

Sunscreen type: mineral | Key ingredients: zinc oxide (9%), octinoxate (7.5%), niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Matte-Finish Sunscreen for Mature Skin: SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50

Why it's worth it: UVA and UVB rays don't stand a chance against the dermatologist-approved SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50. This sunscreen guards against sun damage with the help of mineral UV blockers, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide while antioxidant-rich plankton extract protects delicate skin against environmental aggressors. This matte-finish formulation adds a sheer, barely-there tint that's especially flattering for anyone with a greasy complexion by midday. Another critical ingredient is plankton extract, which helps your skin resist heat-induced stress, sometimes leading to melasma.

Sunscreen type: mineral | Key ingredients: titanium dioxide (6%), zinc oxide (5%), plankton extract | Fragrance-free: Yes

Best Natural-Finish Sunscreen for Mature Skin: Lightsaver Activated Mineral Sunscreen

Why it's worth it: Lightsaver was founded by David Kim, MD, an NYC-based board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology, in 2023 to make daily UV protection "mindlessly easy," in the brand's words. The tinted version of this sunscreen won a Best of Beauty Award in 2023, but we love this non-tinted version just as much. The mineral formula is lightweight, hydrating, restoring, and concocted with a proprietary Light Activated Repair Complex (LARC), which protects the skin from UV and blue light damage and incorporates niacinamide and green tea extract to boost the natural repair process—a big win for crepey skin. Better yet, it looks like nothing on your skin once it's all rubbed in.

Sunscreen type: mineral | Key ingredients: zinc oxide (14.28%), niacinamide, plankton extract, photolyase | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Glowy Sunscreen for Mature Skin: Shiseido Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen

Why it's worth it: The bouncy formula behind Shiseido's Urban Environment Vita-Clear Sunscreen delivers a nice dose of vitamin C and your must-have sun protection. The brightening power of vitamin C helps with smoothness and softening the look of pores, while hyaluronic acid helps lock in moisture. The water-in-gel formula means the combined benefits of a water-based sunscreen and an oil phase to create a non-greasy, easily absorbed final product. "My complexion looked diffused—as if I had a soft, blurring filter on my skin—and glowy when the sun hit it," senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor said in her review.

Sunscreen type: chemical | Key ingredients: avobenzone (2.3%), hom*osalate (10.0%), octisalate (5.0%), octocrylene (5.0%) | Fragrance-free: no

Best Tinted Sunscreen for Mature Skin: Supergoop Protec(tint) Daily Skin Tint SPF 50

Why it's worth it: You may already know and love Supergoop's Unseen Sunscreen, but why not graduate to this just-as-good-if-not-better tinted version? The Supergoop Protec(tint) Daily Skin Tint SPF 50 comes in a comprehensive shade range of blendable hues that give the vibe of a medium-coverage foundation but with all the benefits of a hardworking sunscreen. In the formula, you'll find skin-loving ingredients like ectoin, hyaluronic acid-infused clay, and plenty of other skin conditioners.

Associate special projects manager Talia Gutierrez gave a rave review of the product. "My olive-toned skin is sometimes hard to match as I find many skin tints lean too orange, but I found my shade 30W with no hassle," she said. "The buildable coverage by no means completely conceals my freckles (thank goodness)," she wrote, adding that the tint blurred and concealed areas of discoloration and redness—leaving behind diffused, even-looking skin.

Sunscreen type: hybrid | Key ingredients: zinc oxide, 13.58%, hom*osalate 7.0%, octisalate 5.0%, hylauronic acid-infused clay, ectoin | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Korean Sunscreen for Mature Skin: Cosrx Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+

Why it's worth it: Dr. Wang says he's also a fan of Korean skin-care brand Cosrx's Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ because its hero ingredient, antioxidant vitamin E, protects against free radical damage and provides much-needed moisture replenishment. "Free radicals can contribute to premature aging, so the presence of vitamin E may help maintain the health and vitality of maturing skin," he says. It also contains mattifying silica and cotton extract, which curbs excess oil.

Sunscreen type: chemical | Key ingredients: octisalate, avobenzone, vitamin E, silica, cotton extract, coca extract | Fragrance-free: no

Best Sunscreen for Fine Lines: Revision Skincare Intellishade Original Tinted Moisturizer SPF 45

Why it's worth it: Your sunscreen hesitation may come from its notoriously chalky reputation and tendency to seep into every crease, but Revision Skincare's Intellishade Original Tinted Moisturizer SPF 45 is a game-changer. While the brand calls this a matte formula, we think of it as more of a satin, demi-matte finish that doesn't dim your natural radiance and allows your natural skin to peek through. On days you prefer to skip your usual base makeup, this silky formula is a great all-in-one step, as it's ever slightly tinted—plus, your complexion gets a boost of firming peptides and tone-evening vitamin C.

Sunscreen type: hybrid | Key ingredients: octinoxate (7.5%), octisalate (5%), titanium dioxide (3.5%), zinc oxide (3%), peptides, vitamin C (THD ascorbate), white birch extract, yeast extract, plankton extract, coenzyme Q10 | Fragrance-Free: yes

Best Firming Sunscreen for Mature Skin: Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery Moisturizer SPF 50

Why it's worth it: If you like your sunscreen as transparent as possible, reach for the Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery Moisturizer SPF 50. Yes, it's a little splurgy, but you can chalk that up to a multifaceted formula that supports (and might even replace) your skin care routine. It's an excellent fit for dry skin, experiencing loss of elasticity and an increase in fine lines, tackling concerns with a blend of polypeptides and antioxidant-rich white tea. It blends like a dream, leaving behind zero white cast, and moisturizing all the while.

Sunscreen type: chemical | Key ingredients: avobenzone (3.0%), hom*osalate (5.0%), octisalate (3.0%), octocrylene (7.0%), polypeptide blend, white tea extract | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Soothing Sunscreen for Mature Skin: Dr. Loretta Universal Glow Daily Defense SPF 40

Why it's worth it: If dryness, flaking, and dehydration-induced creasing are holding you back, slather on Dr. Loretta's Universal Glow Daily Defense SPF 40, an ultra-moisturizing formulation with a subtle peach tint that negates white cast. The brand's proprietary antioxidants, Lipochroman, and ectoin protect your skin from free radical damage and external stressors (that can lead to progressed signs of aging). Also at work is a blend of four powerful botanicals—frankincense, gotu kola, white birch bark, and knotweed—to calm stressed skin.

As an avid user of mineral sunscreens, shopping director Shanna Shipin majorly approves of this peach-tinted SPF. "It has an amazing light-reflecting luminosity that blurs the skin while providing straightforward zinc oxide protection," Shipin noted in our roundup of glowy sunscreens. Regarding the tint, which she was initially skeptical about, she said that "it melts in instantly, leaving nothing but a beautiful veil of glow behind."

Sunscreen type: mineral | Key ingredients: zinc oxide (17%), lipochroman, ectoin, coconut oil, jojoba oil | Fragrance-free: yes

Most Moisturizing Sunscreen for Mature Skin: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer SPF 30

Why it's worth it: Prepare to quench your thirsty skin with La Roche-Posay'sToleriane Double Repair Moisturizer SPF 30. This moisturizing sunscreen is one of Dr. Wang's favorite drugstore formulations for its trifecta of skin enhancers, including hydrating glycerin, irritation-calming niacinamide, and moisture-sealing ceramides. This lightweight, lotion-like texture blends seamlessly into any skin tone, and, most importantly, it provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection. Most importantly, it saves you an extra skin-care step in the morning. "This is easy to apply and combines SPF with moisturizing ingredients and ceramides to help restore the skin's natural protective barrier," Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Manhattan, New York, and Englewood, New Jersey, previously attested.

Sunscreen type: chemical | Key ingredients: avobenzone (3%), hom*osalate (5%), octisalate (5%), octocrylene (7%), ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, thermal spring water | Fragrance-free: yes

Best UV Damage–Repairing Sunscreen for Mature Skin: Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Sunscreen SPF 50+

Why it's worth it: You know a sunscreen formula is good when it's part of a derm's routine. Isdin's Eryfotona Actinica Sunscreen SPF 50+ is a tried-and-true formula that Margarita Lolis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Hackensack, New Jersey, swears by and uses in her skin-care regimen. This mineral-based, antioxidant-packed formula prevents and repairs UV-related skin damage. Let Dr. Lolis explain: "This formulationcontainspatented DNA repair technology that repairs existing sun damage caused by years of unprotected sun exposure," she says. The repair technology in question is derived from plankton extract, rich in damage-minimizing antioxidants.

Sunscreen type: mineral | Key ingredients: zinc oxide (11%), plankton extract | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Sweat-Resistant Sunscreen for Mature Skin: Colorescience Total Protection No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

Why it's worth it: If you're looking for an intensive formula that'll go beyond sun protection, Dr. Lolis loves Colorescience's Total Protection No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50, which boasts conditioning and hyperpigmentation-reducing properties. As it guards your skin against UVA, UVB, and blue light rays, a combination of moisturizing bisabolol, hydrating mushroom extract, and dark spot-diminishing antioxidants whip your skin into better shape. Anyone can use this formula, but people with oily or acne-prone skin should especially consider this oil-free, non-comedogenic sunscreen.

Sunscreen type: mineral | Key ingredients: zinc oxide (10%), bisabolol, mushroom extract | Fragrance-free: yes

Frequently Asked Questions

How does sunscreen benefit mature skin?

On top of preventing issues like skin cancer and sunburn, Margarita Lolis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Hackensack, New Jersey, says applying (and reapplying) a broad-spectrum sunscreen will minimize the appearance of concerns like fine lines, sun spots, and decreased skin laxity. "Unprotected sun exposure drastically accelerates the appearance of aging skin," Dr. Lolis explains. "While mature skin is already experiencing these effects absent sun exposure, not protecting your skin with sunscreen daily only sends the aging process into hyperdrive," she adds. Message heard loud and clear.

What ingredients should I look for in sunscreen for mature skin?

The usual golden ingredient of maturing skin-care routines is, usually, retinol, but you won't find that ingredient in your sunscreen. That's because retinol actually sensitizes skin in UV light, making it more susceptible to damage and irritation. Instead, you'll want to look for a sunscreen formulated with antioxidants, the top-tier one being a stabilized form of vitamin C. This is because antioxidants neutralize environmental aggressors, including pollution, infrared rays, and visible light, therefore they boost the efficacy of your sunscreen's protective measures. On top of that, studies have shown that when vitamin C is used topically, it can help accelerate the skin's production of collagen and elastin, the protein fibers that help keep skin plump and firm. So, in helping to promote collagen production, topical vitamin C can help prevent signs of aging of the skin, including fine lines and lack of elasticity.

Another antioxidant known for its skin-boosting benefits is niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3. Like its counterpart, vitamin C, niacinamide has a myriad of benefits, including evening tone, brightening your complexion, and minimizing the appearance of pores. Dr. Garshick previously told Allure that this antioxidant can also diminish fine lines and wrinkles, thanks to its collagen-boosting properties. Most of the formulas above are also spiked with other plumping additives, like hydrating hyaluronic acid.

Meet the experts

• James Y. Wang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles
• Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Manhattan, New York, and Englewood, New Jersey
• Margarita Lolis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Hackensack, New Jersey
• Caroline Robinson, MD, a Chicago-based board-certified dermatologist

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best sunscreens for mature skin, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors — along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

Read more about our beauty essentials for maturing skin:

• The 15 Best Foundations for Mature Skin
• The 13 Best Primers for Smoothing Out Fine Lines
• 13 Creams, Treatments, and Serums That Work Like Botox in a Bottle

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