Yes, You Should Wear Sunscreen in the Winter—Here Are 8 Recommendations, Starting at $6

Published Jan 26, 2026 4:57 am ET


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Naturally, you might not think of using the words “sunscreen” and “winter” in the same sentence. However, it’s incredibly important to wear SPF year-round for the sake of your skin health. There are so many options ideal for winter that won’t leave a white cast, that focus on hydration and that you’ll even want to wear skiing. Pretty soon, it’ll feel like second nature to apply SPF during your daily regimen.

Some even add a natural-looking “glow” to your skin that you’ll never want to leave home without again. So, shop our favorite options below, all available on Amazon.

Our Favorite Sunscreens for Winter

  • Adds Radiance: Brighten up your skin during some of the dullest months of the year with Supergoop! Glowscreen Soft-Radiance Drops. Containing SPF 40, it protects your skin while adding a dash of radiance to your complexion, no matter the season — $40
  • Soothes Redness: Containing colloidal oatmeal and SPF 45, First Aid Beauty Hydrating Sunscreen Milk helps soothe red or irritated skin. Providing 24-hour hydration, it’s a fantastic option for year-round use — $36
  • Oil Control: Murad Superactive Mattifying Oil and Pore Control Moisturizer is ideal for oily skin. It provides acne-prone skin with preventative UV protection, while also hydrating and helping smooth out imperfections. Chef’s kiss! — $45
  • Anti-Aging: Protect your skin from UV while fending off signs of aging all at the same time. Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50 contains peptides, antioxidants and squalane to combat wrinkles and help reverse any damage that’s already been done — $85
  • Ski Bum: Spending your day on the slopes? Dermatone Skin Protector Balm protects your skin from nasty dry air wind burn. Meanwhile, its SPF 23 works wonders against the sun. That way, you’ll be protected from the harsh elements that come with enjoying your favorite snow sports — $9
  • No White Cast: Leave white casts behind with Anua Zero-Cast Moisturizing Finish Sunscreen. It blends in perfectly, regardless of your skin tone. And its oil-free ingredients make it easy to layer makeup on top — $18
  • Beyond Blendable: Reviewers love how COOLA Organic Dew Good Illuminating Probiotic Serum basically blends right into your skin. Although it contains SPF 30, it’s unscented and super lightweight, so you’ll probably forget you’re even wearing it — $46
  • Most Affordable: It should come as no surprise that e.l.f. takes the cake for the most affordable option. e.l.f. SKIN Suntouchable Invisible SPF is gel-based, which makes it ultra lightweight. And not to mention, it’s vegan and cruelty-free, too. Double whammy! — $6

Lizzy Rosenberg is a Catskills-based journalist, with about eight years of experience in the world of journalism. She has written and edited at People.com, Elite Daily, PureWow, Green Matters, and Distractify. Additionally, she has several freelance bylines with SKI Magazine, Outside Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Hey Alma, Best Products and USA Today’s Reviewed. You may also recognize her name from the book Green Living, which she helped her team write and publish during her time as Managing Editor at Green Matters.

Chase Clements

Chase Clements

Editor McClatchy Commerce

Based in Kansas City, Chase Clements is the Commerce Content Operations Manager. He has many years of experience as a Commerce Writer and Editor for McClatchy.