Updated:
Readtime: 17 min
Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here.
There are a few things all Aussies know to be true about summer: your thongs will melt if you leave them in direct sunlight, your car will be unbearable for the first four minutes of every ride, and if you spend more than 10 minutes at the beach without sunscreen, you will get cooked.
And yet, despite growing up in a country where UV levels routinely reach nah yeah probably put a hat on eh territory, plenty of us are still surprisingly bad at wearing sunscreen every day. Part of the problem, we suspect, is that sunscreen has historically been a bit gross.
If your formative SPF experiences involved your mum or dad pinning you down at the beach and smearing half a litre of thick white cream across your face before it immediately attracted every grain of sand within a five-kilometre radius, we understand the reluctance.
But there’s a fairly compelling reason for Australian men to get their act together. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the melanoma incidence rate among Australian men was estimated at 78 cases per 100,000 in 2025, compared with 50 per 100,000 in women. Around 17,400 Australians were estimated to be diagnosed with melanoma overall.
And melanoma is only part of the skin cancer picture. New AIHW analysis found that around 535,000 Australians (roughly 2% of the population) have at least one common non-melanoma skin cancer surgically removed each year.
So, yes, putting sunscreen on your face every morning is definitely worth the effort. And thankfully, men’s face sunscreen has come a very long way.
Today’s best face sunscreens are light, invisible and hard to distinguish from a regular moisturiser. There are matte formulas for oily skin, hydrating ones for dry skin, barely-there fluids for people who hate feeling anything on their face and SPF50+ options that won’t leave you looking like you’ve dunked your head in a bucket of zinc.
To help you find the best pick, we’ve rounded up some of the best face sunscreens for men in Australia. Plus, some of the best sunscreens overall (because yes, your back, shoulders, stomach, legs and feet also need to be slipped, slopped and slapped).
The Best Face Sunscreen for Men in Australia
If you came here hoping we’d crown one sunscreen The Greatest Men’s Sunscreen in Australia, we’re going to disappoint you slightly. There isn’t one.
The best face sunscreen is one that provides appropriate protection, suits your skin and, most importantly, feels good enough that you’ll wear the bloody thing. Someone with oily skin who cycles to work probably wants something quite different from a guy with dry, sensitive skin who spends most of his day in an office.
So instead of an objective winner, these are the face sunscreens we’d look at for different men, budgets and skin types.
1. Best Face Sunscreen for Most Men: Cancer Council Invisible Fluid SPF50+
If your response to this article is “Please just tell me which sunscreen to buy,” buy this one.
Cancer Council Invisible Fluid SPF50+ is Australian-made, broad-spectrum and specifically designed for combination, oily and sensitive skin. The formula is fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, with silica and tapioca starch added to help create a matte, anti-shine finish.
More importantly for the sunscreen-resistant man, it’s an ultra-light fluid designed to absorb quickly. That makes it a particularly good option if your main sunscreen complaint is greasiness or shine.
At $19.95 for 50mL direct from Cancer Council (and available through major Australian chemists and retailers), it’s also very reasonably priced for something you’re meant to use generously.
- Best for: Most skin types, particularly oily and combination skin
- Finish: Matte and invisible
- Size: 50mL
- Why we like it: Lightweight, fragrance-free, Australian-made and easy to find
2. Best Cheap Face Sunscreen: Hamilton Everyday Face SPF50+
There’s absolutely no need for good sunscreen to cost over $50. Hamilton has been making suncare products in Australia for decades, and its Everyday Face SPF50+ is a good option if you want something that works, is affordable ($16.99) and is readily available at the chemist.
The formula is lightweight, non-comedogenic and designed to leave a matte, non-greasy finish without a white cast. It’s also fragrance-free and contains aloe vera and vitamin E, so you get a little moisturising action while you’re protecting your face.
Better still, it comes in a 75g tube, which is very handy indeed. The standard version has an invisible sheer finish, while Hamilton also offers light and medium tinted versions if you want a bit of skin-tone evening without venturing into foundation territory. And yes, men are allowed to wear tinted sunscreen.
- Best for: Normal, combination and sensitive skin
- Finish: Matte, sheer and non-greasy
- Size: 75g, with a larger 200g option also available
- Why we like it: Affordable, Australian-made, fragrance-free and widely available
3. Best Barely-There Sunscreen: Bondi Sands Face SPF50+ Everyday Sunscreen Fluid
Most people are sunscreen-averse simply because they can feel it sitting on their face for the next eight hours. Well, take a look at Bondi Sands’ Face SPF50+ Everyday Sunscreen Fluid.
The formula is ultra-lightweight, non-greasy, invisible, non-comedogenic, and has no added fragrance. At $16.95 for 50mL direct from Bondi Sands (but also available at places like Chemist Warehouse), it sits at the affordable end of dedicated face sunscreens. Plus, there’s also a lotion version for your body.
- Best for: Guys who hate feeling sunscreen on their face
- Finish: Lightweight, invisible and non-greasy
- Size: 50mL
- Why we like it: Affordable, fragrance-free and very easy to work into a basic morning routine
4. Best Face Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF50+
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF50+ has developed a devoted following for a reason. It’s specifically designed for sensitive skin and combines very high broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection with a thin fluid texture that absorbs quickly and dries down without leaving a visible white cast.
It’s fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and tested under dermatological and ophthalmological control. It’s also suitable for contact lens wearers, which may be of interest if your previous sunscreen experiences have involved accidentally getting SPF in your eyes and spending the next 20 minutes questioning your will to live.
The downside is price. At around $40 for 50mL, it’s a lot more expensive than something like Hamilton, although Australian chemists regularly sell it below retail price.
Still, if you’ve struggled with facial sunscreens in the past and want something lightweight that’s formulated with sensitive skin in mind, it’s a strong option.
- Best for: Sensitive skin
- Finish: Ultra-light and invisible
- Size: 50mL
- Why we like it: Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and feels like the opposite of the sunscreens many of us grew up with
5. Best Fancy Face Sunscreen: MECCA Cosmetica To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen
This is for the man who has crossed the skincare Rubicon. Maybe you own a serum. Maybe you know what retinol is. Maybe you have, at some point, voluntarily entered a MECCA without being dragged there by a partner and standing awkwardly near the entrance until they finished shopping.
Congratulations – it’s time for fancy sunscreen. MECCA Cosmetica’s To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen is designed to feel more like a lightweight moisturiser than traditional sunscreen, with a natural satin finish rather than a completely matte one. It contains vitamin E, sodium PCA and maritime pine bark extract, and it’s ideal for men who lean towards dry and combination skin.
It doesn’t leave a visible white cast and has a smoother, more moisturising feel than some of the fluid formulas on this list, which makes it a good option if matte sunscreens tend to leave your face feeling dry AF.
The 75mL size is $48, so no, this is not the sunscreen you buy if your primary selection criteria is cheap. But sunscreen only works if you wear it, and if spending a bit more gets you a formula you enjoy putting on every morning, there are worse places to put your money.
- Best for: Dry and combination skin, or guys who already enjoy skincare
- Finish: Natural satin
- Size: 30mL, 75mL and 150mL options
- Why we like it: Hydrating, lightweight and feels more like skincare than traditional sunscreen
6. Best Face Sunscreen for Oily Skin: Avène Sunsitive Oil Control Sunscreen Fluid SPF50+
Avène’s Sunsitive Oil Control Sunscreen Fluid SPF50+ is made specifically for oily, acne-prone and combination skin, with an oil-free formula designed to absorb excess sebum and leave behind a matte, dry-touch finish.
Despite the Avène name being French, the sunscreen is made in Australia, and the formula is perfect for anyone whose biggest SPF complaint is shine. It uses monolaurin and silica to help control excess oil, while the lightweight fluid absorbs quickly without leaving a white cast.
It’s also fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, another nice bonus if oily skin and breakouts tend to arrive as a package deal.
It retails for $39, but Chemist Warehouse often has it for much cheaper.
- Best for: Oily, acne-prone and combination skin
- Finish: Matte, dry-touch and invisible
- Size: 50mL
- Why we like it: Made in Australia, oil-free, fragrance-free and specifically formulated to control excess shine
Best Sunscreens for Your Whole Body
We know that sunscreen needs to be applied not just to your face but everywhere the sun doth shine. So, here are some of the best SPF 50+ sunscreens for your whole body.
7. Cetaphil Sun Ultra Light Lotion
Do you have oily skin? Cetaphil Sun Ultra-light Lotion SPF 50+ is a sunscreen carefully formulated for those of the oily-skin variety. It’s perfect for both the face and the body and is suitable for everyday use. The best thing about this sunscreen is its ultra-light feel, while still providing super strong protection, even offering up to four hours of water resistance.
8. Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen
If your skin tends to chuck a tantrum at heavily fragranced formulas, Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF50 Sunscreen Lotion is designed specifically with sensitive skin in mind. The mineral formula uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for broad-spectrum protection, with soothing aloe vera and no added fragrance, parabens or phthalates. It’s also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, making it a great pick for beach days and sport. It’s free from Oxybenzone and Octinoxate to help protect the delicate ecosystem of the world’s coral reefs, just like our precious Great Barrier Reef.
9. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Lotion SPF 50
If you want one sunscreen you can slather pretty much everywhere, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Lotion SPF50 keeps things simple. The lightweight, non-greasy formula offers broad-spectrum SPF50 protection and is water-resistant for up to four hours, making it a solid option for beach days, sport or any time you’ll be spending a decent chunk of the day outdoors. Despite being a body sunscreen, it can also be used on the face, so there’s no need to pack half the bathroom cabinet every time you head away.
10. Sun Bum Original SPF50 Sunscreen Lotion
For something that smells a little more like summer than sunscreen duty, Sun Bum Original SPF50 Sunscreen Lotion is a good all-rounder for beach days and weekends outdoors. The broad-spectrum SPF50 formula is lightweight, moisturising and water-resistant for up to four hours, with vitamin E to help keep skin feeling hydrated. And yes, it has Sun Bum’s signature summery scent, so if you want your sunscreen completely fragrance-free, this probably isn’t your guy.
What to Look for in Good Face Sunscreen
Choosing a good quality sunscreen can be hard work, so knowing what to look for is the first step in the right direction. Firstly, it’s important to know that there are two types: physical and chemical. Physical sunscreens use ingredients that physically block or reflect the sun from the skin to protect from UV rays. In contrast, chemical sunscreen protects the body by converting UV radiation into heat, which is then released from the body.
Physical
When looking for a physical sunscreen, look for ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These ingredients will block out both UVA and UVB rays, providing very effective protection and working as soon as you apply. Due to the lack of chemicals, physical sunscreens are also great for those with sensitive skin. Keep in mind, this type will come off easier and leave white marks on your skin.
Chemical
When looking for a chemical sunscreen, look out for ones that include ingredients like benzophenone, oxybenzone, octinoxate, benzotriazoles, cinnamates and PABAs. These sunscreens are great if you prefer an easy application, are the active type or are often swimming, as they are more resistant to sweat and water. However, they also need more time to absorb, are not super friendly to the environment and need more reapplying.
Approvals
So when you’re next browsing the shelves, look out for these things as well as TGA approval, broad-spectrum, which means it protects from both UVA and UVB radiation and water resistance. Also, ensure it has an SPF of 30+, as anything below that will provide an ineffective level of protection for Australia’s scorching rays.
Do Men Need a Different Face Sunscreen?
Despite what some grooming brands might have you believe, men don’t necessarily need a special men’s face sunscreen. What matters is your skin.
Men can, of course, have different skincare preferences. If you shave regularly, you might want something that doesn’t irritate freshly shaved skin. If you have a beard, you need a formula you can work into exposed areas without leaving white residue through your facial hair. If your skin is oily, a matte sunscreen may feel a lot nicer by lunchtime.
But those are skin and lifestyle considerations, and not reasons you need a bottle labelled ‘For Men’. If your girlfriend’s sunscreen works beautifully on your face, congratulations on your new sunscreen (just maybe ask before stealing it every morning).
Should Men Wear Face Sunscreen Every Day?
In Australia, you want to pay attention to the UV Index rather than whether it looks sunny outside. Cancer Council recommends using sun protection when the UV Index is 3 or above. When it’s below 3, sunscreen generally isn’t required unless you’re going to be outside for long periods, working outdoors or around highly reflective surfaces.
And no, clouds aren’t a force field. You can still be exposed to UV on cool or overcast days, which is why checking the UV Index is more helpful than looking out the window and deciding the weather seems a bit miserable.
The easiest approach is to make sunscreen part of your normal morning routine every day – high UV or not. Wash face. Brush teeth. Sunscreen Deodorant. Keys. Phone. Wallet.
Can Sunscreen Help Prevent Wrinkles?
This is where skincare and basic self-preservation become conveniently aligned. UV exposure contributes to premature skin ageing, including changes such as wrinkles and pigmentation, which means sun protection isn’t only about avoiding skin cancer.
So, yes, if you’re spending hundreds of dollars on serums designed to make your face look younger while refusing to wear sunscreen, there may be a slight flaw in the master plan.
How We Chose This List
To come up with this list of the best face sunscreens for men, we focused first and foremost on protection, choosing broad-spectrum SPF50 or SPF50+ formulas that are readily available in Australia. From there, we looked at different features like texture, finish, white cast, fragrance, skin type, water resistance, and price.
We deliberately included a mix of Australian sunscreen brands and trusted international names that are widely available here, with options for oily, dry and sensitive skin, as well as different budgets.
Product claims, prices and details were verified in September 2026 against Australian brand and retailer information. While our team hasn’t personally tested every sunscreen on this list, our selections reflect our editorial research, product knowledge and experience covering men’s grooming and skincare.
Ally Burnie is Man of Many’s resident Melbourne writer, covering style, food, drink and retail. This list was edited and reviewed by the Man of Many team before publishing.
Face Sunscreen for Men FAQs
Cancer Council recommends around one teaspoon of sunscreen for an average adult’s face, neck and ears combined. Apply it generously to clean, dry skin around 20 minutes before heading outside, and when you’re outdoors, reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming, sweating or towel drying.
Short answer: yes. The UV Index is your best friend here. If the UV reaches 3 or above, make sure you slip, slop and slap. The important thing to remember is that temperature and UV aren’t the same thing. A cool day can still have damaging levels of UV, and a hot day doesn’t necessarily tell you how high the UV Index is. Just apply face sunscreen every morning – it can’t hurt.
Unless your beard has reached wizard proportions, you probably still have exposed skin that needs protecting. Apply sunscreen normally across the exposed areas of your face, including your forehead, nose, cheeks, ears and neck, and work it carefully into areas where facial hair is sparse enough that the skin remains exposed. If you have a very full beard, the hair itself provides some coverage, but don’t use that as an excuse to abandon the rest of your face.
Generally, yes, provided the product’s directions allow it and your skin tolerates the formula. Dedicated face sunscreens are mostly about making the experience nicer. They’re often designed to feel lighter, absorb more cleanly, sit comfortably on facial skin and avoid clogging pores. If your regular SPF50+ body sunscreen feels great on your face and you happily use enough of it, excellent. Use it.
Both SPF30 and SPF50 sunscreens can provide high levels of protection when they’re applied correctly, but in Australia, Cancer Council recommends SPF50 or SPF50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen when UV protection is needed. The bigger problem for most people isn’t the SPF factor but not using enough sunscreen, or not reapplying. The SPF number on the bottle can only do its job when the sunscreen is on your face.
Comments
We love hearing from you. or to leave a comment.